Sunset gives you the best of the best classic overdrive circuits, custom voiced for instantly gratifying control over a huge range of sought-after tones. We studied six circuit types found in many truly timeless and iconic overdrive and boost pedals, and put our takes on all six of them into a single two-channel unit.
Sunset is really two customizable overdrive pedals, independently selectable and flexibly routable, designed and voiced for complementary tones when stacked. Six distinct circuits each feel and react differently in your hands, two at once, all in one convenient package. Push your amp any way you want, from transparent “more amp” to heavy saturated fuzz, and all the best places in between.
Everyone is familiar with the endless search for the ultimate overdrive pedal and the perfect tone. Strymon did the critical listening and custom voicing to design each side of Sunset with just one tone knob, so you can quickly dial in the sound you want. The knob ranges for each circuit type are custom calibrated to provide maximal usable control. Strymon applied the same design philosophy and care to the stacking options, ensuring each combination interacts optimally and sounds great, so a huge range of classic overdrive tones are instantly achievable.
The Ge overdrive combines the softer response of germanium diodes with a parallel path that blends in the dry signal as the Drive is lowered. At higher gains the lower-midrange frequencies are emphasized to create a tight, thick response. This overdrive really fattens up single coil pickups, and responds with a bold push when paired with humbuckers.
The Texas overdrive employs a single stage soft-clipper configuration that is filtered before and after the gain stage to create a smooth and dynamic overdrive. The original signal dynamics are retained as the gain is increased – perfect for playing the blues or just fattening up your sound with a signature midrange bump.
The Treble type is a treble booster that removes the low frequencies as the Tone knob is turned up – great for tightening up an overdriven amp, or driving another gain pedal that’s a bit looser on the low end. Turning the Tone knob down brings in the low end, making for a versatile all-around boost.
The 2stage overdrive combines a soft-clipping stage followed by a hard-clipping stage, creating a complex overdrive with a wide range of gain. Its EQ structure preserves the low end while adding some muscle to push your amp. This overdrive can easily take you from lightly clipped to beefy saturation.
The Hard overdrive uses a single-stage hard-clipping circuit that has a ton of available gain, approaching fuzz territory with the Drive knob maxed. At lower gains, mildly clipped transparent tones are achieved with this versatile drive. The wide-ranging Tone knob lets you shape the top end from smooth to buzzy.
The JFET type is a clean boost that subtly beefs up your signal with the dynamics and responsiveness created from the JFET front end. As you turn up the drive, the signal gets rounded and warmer. This is a great option when your amp just “needs a little extra.”
Since the time when overdrives were created to simply push an amp in order to achieve an overdriven sound even at sane volume levels, players have evolved to want more layered, multistage tonalities. Stacking gives you more flexibility and tone range on the floor. You can find an overdrive that sounds good on its own, then run it through a second drive to add new dimensions to your tone. Sunset allows you to use any of its six overdrive circuits on their own, or route the Channel A drive circuit through Channel B, or Channel B through Channel A, or use two circuits in parallel. Routing options have been chosen deliberately to present the best-sounding combinations of drive circuits. Sunset eliminates the guesswork.
Sunset gives you the best of the best classic overdrive circuits. Audio examples performed by sound designer Pete Celi, marketing nerd Ethan Tufts, product developer Mark McCrite, and tech support guru Hugo Merida.
Strymon sound designer and DSP engineer Pete Celi takes you on a tour of the sounds and features of Sunset Dual Overdrive.
Sunset’s input features an ultra low noise, discrete, class-A JFET circuit providing up to 20dB of pure analog gain. With our hybrid approach you get the best of both analog and digital worlds: The JFET stage provides exceptional touch sensitivity and dynamic interaction with your guitar, while the incredibly powerful SHARC DSP facilitates the great level of detailed complexity and responsiveness you’ll want to hear.
Sunset’s three-position Config switch gives you powerful control over signal flow when you stack two drive circuits.
You can run whichever two drive circuits you choose in series, reverse series, or parallel, all with the flip of a switch and no recabling.
Coming up with great sounding drive and signal flow combinations is fast and easy.
Sunset’s three-position Bright switch is custom voiced to perfectly tailor the highest frequencies of your output signal.
Minus (-) smooths the top end to work well with amps or speakers that have a brighter voice.
Neutral (center) provides a balanced top end that works with a variety of amps and speakers.
Plus (+) delivers extended high end detail to the warmest amps.
Sunset has an optional, variable-threshold noise reduction feature to tame hum, buzz, and system noise when you’re not playing.
A downward expander with advanced signal detection techniques creates a seamless transition to noise reduced silence with all types of input signal dynamics, including staccato bursts and slowly decaying sustained notes.
Sunset allows you to save and recall your favorite settings.
Just connect an optional MiniSwitch or other external latching footswitch with a TRS cable to store and recall your Favorite setting.
Connect an expression pedal, and enjoy a whole new level of instantaneous, continuous control.
Set as many knobs as you like for the heel position and toe position of your expression pedal, and all settings will simultaneously morph throughout the full range of the expression pedal.
Sunset becomes part of your musical instrument, an extension of your musical voice, an active part of your performance.
The Expression pedal jack can be set up in Volume Mode, which provides a logarithmic taper for smooth volume control, even when Sunset is in bypass mode.
If you have an expression pedal, this provides an excellent alternative to a standalone Volume pedal.
Lurking inside your Sunset pedal is a hidden superpower: MIDI Control.
Save and load drive presets. Control all knobs and switches via MIDI.
Integrate Sunset into an elaborate MIDI pedalboard or use in an ultra-compact setup for easy travel.
Connect Strymon's MIDI EXP Cable to the Expression pedal jack to access these features.
Note: Your Sunset may require updated firmware to enable MIDI control. Learn how to update and how to check if you pedal requires an update here.
