MixWave is currently offering the Overdrive guitar pedal plugin for free for a limited time only. 

Overdrive is a MacOS and Windows 64-bit release for VST3, AU, and AAX formats. 

A free iLok account and iLok License Manager are required to install the plugin. 

MixWave says the plugin is inspired by a classic stomp developed in the late ‘70s. It is known for its warm, tube-like distortion and ability to push an amp into a musical breakup. 

While the dev doesn’t actually name the inspiration behind the plugin, looking at the color scheme and controls, it’s pretty clear that it’s the Maxon / Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer overdrive pedal, which originally dropped all the way back in 1979. 

MixWave emulated this rock and roll staple with component-level modeling while adding modern versatility to the design. 

The main control panel of the MixWave Overdrive is identical to the original Tube Screamer stomp, with the only parameters being Drive, Balance, and Tone. 

But wait, there’s more! Above the pedal’s main display, there’s a panel featuring additional parameters such as oversampling, preset selector, dry/wet controls, input, output, and high-pass and low-pass filters for both the input and output. 

I can’t see any official audio demos for the plugin, but there are several user demos available on YouTube showing off the sound of the pedal. 

Like the original Tube Screamer, Overdrive is useful for pushing and shaping the tone of an amp, particularly for layers or sections where you want some extra presence or sparkle, such as solos. 

The Tube Screamer is an iconic pedal that has been used to create the sounds of many household-name guitarists over the years, such as John Frusciante, Kirk Hammett, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, and John Petrucci. 

Therefore, an emulation of the classic pedal is definitely a handy option for guitar productions. 

MixWave is a bit shy about when exactly the freebie offer will expire, but is quite clear about the fact that it’s only a limited-time offer. 

To get your copy of Overdrive, just sign up for the MixWave newsletter on the product page linked below. 

Once I submitted an email on the page, within a few seconds I received an email with a license code and download links to the macOS and Windows installers. 

The email also included instructions on how to get the plugin activated using iLok, which is reasonably straightforward.

Download: Overdrive (FREE -iLok and email required)

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