NUX Steel Singer Drive (Reissue Series)
What it is
The manufacturer describes the Steel Singer Drive as a pure analog overdrive intended to produce a warm, natural, tube-style overdrive tone, with smooth high end and a sweet midrange. It is presented as recreating the tone of a boutique amplifier from California, but the manufacturer does not name the amplifier. One reviewer links the pedal to a Dumble "Steel Singer" amplifier; that link is the reviewer's claim and is not confirmed by the manufacturer. The Effects Database describes the pedal as touch-sensitive and dynamic, with Volume setting output level, Gain setting the amount of drive from mild breakup to saturated sustain, and Filter acting as a high-frequency EQ control for overall tonal balance. The model number is listed as NRO-1. A silver finish is listed on Reverb. The pedal is part of NUX's Reissue Series. Retail listings also refer to it as the NuX Reissue Series Steel Singer Drive. No magazine or video review was found in the research.
Specifications
- Model
- NRO-1
- Type
- Overdrive, pure analog circuit, true bypass
- Controls
- Volume, Gain, Filter
- Input impedance
- 1 MΩ
- Output impedance
- 10 kΩ
- Current draw
- Under 20 mA
- Power
- 9 V battery or 9 V DC adapter; Reverb lists a regulated adapter delivering at least 300 mA
- Connections
- One ¼-inch input and one ¼-inch output
- Dimensions
- 121 mm (L) × 77 mm (W) × 48 mm (D)
- Weight
- 230 g
- Finish
- Silver (per Reverb listing)
How it's used
The manufacturer says it can serve as a main overdrive or as a booster for a guitar amplifier. The Effects Database lists blues, rock, and expressive lead tones as intended genres. One UK customer review describes it as a useful clean boost, and a U.S. customer review describes placing another pedal in front of it to get heavier crunch.
Suggested usage
Use the Volume control to find cleaner tones
One reviewer says the pedal cleans up when the volume is turned down, and so can stay on most of the time.
Allow time to find the sweet spot
One reviewer says it takes some tweaking to find the sweet spot, but that the effort was worth it.
Note the bite at the lowest drive setting
The same reviewer says it has noticeable bite even at the lowest Gain setting, which matters if it is used as a light boost.
Provide adequate power
Use a 9 V DC adapter that supplies at least 300 mA, or a 9 V battery.
Expect a firm footswitch
A UK reviewer found the footswitch clacky and requiring a firm press. A second reviewer made the same observation about NUX pedals in general.
What reviewers said
- GuitarGuitar (UK), customer ratings
Customer ratings average 4.6 out of 5 from 7 reviews. Reviewers describe it as cheap, robust-looking, and wide-sounding, with one calling it a favorite overdrive that does not sound harsh. One noted a firm footswitch. The listing showed the item as not currently available at the time of retrieval.
- zzounds, customer ratings
Ratings average 4.5 out of 5 from 3 ratings, with sub-ratings of 5 for sound, 5 for value, 4.5 for ease of use, and 3.5 for quality. Reviewers describe responsiveness to playing dynamics and say the sweet spot takes tweaking to find. The sample is small.