The Warm Audio Dirty Boy Jr. Overdrive is an all-analog overdrive, preamp and amp simulator in one compact pedal. Warm Audio developed it with Dirty Boy, the Los Angeles boutique pedal maker, as a smaller version of the handmade Dirty Boy Preamp circuit. It is for guitarists who want amp-style drive on a pedalboard, or who want to go straight into a mixer, audio interface, PA or FRFR speaker without an amp.
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T.A.E. circuit: Warm Audio's analog Tube Amp Emulation design, developed by Dirty Boy builder Danny Gomez
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Variac control: simulates a lower supply voltage for sag, compression and voltage-starved fuzz
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Two outputs: a raw Pre Output and an EM Output with speaker emulation voiced after a closed-back 4x12 Greenback cabinet
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Three roles: standalone amp simulator, preamp into an amp's FX loop, or tube-style boost and overdrive
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Compact metal enclosure with original Dirty Boy styling and a fully analog signal path
The four controls are Gain, Volume, Variac and Tone. Gain runs from a clean boost up to driven, amp-style overdrive, while Volume sets the master output. Turning Variac anticlockwise softens the response and adds a more vintage, sagging feel, and Tone brings in high-frequency presence as you turn it clockwise. The pedal is designed to respond to playing dynamics, with tube-like saturation that cleans up when you play softer. Guitar World's review described it as a touch-responsive pedal that reacts like a good amplifier.
The output section is what makes it flexible. The Pre Output carries the preamp signal without cabinet emulation, for a power amp, an amp's FX return, more pedals or a recording interface. The EM Output adds speaker emulation for direct recording and live rigs without a guitar cab. The manual includes starting points such as a cranked 30-watt British amp, mid-high gain overdrive and half-stack settings. It is part of the Dirty Boy Jr. series alongside the Booster and Fuzz.