SoloDallas CompanDrive 65 (CD65) Compander Overdrive Boost

Since their first pedal landed on the doorstep to our shop, I’ve been mildly obsessed with the gear coming from the folks over at SoloDallas. From the original Storm Boost Limiter and TSR Compander Booster, to newer offerings like the SVDS Mini Boost and Orbiter Fuzz, there’s always something unique and intriguing being released by these guys. Today, we’ve got their latest for you: the CompanDrive 65 (CD65) Compander Overdrive Boost, a complete rig-changing beast that works in ways you can’t even understand…but damn, does it sound goooooooood…

The CompanDrive 65 is a faithful recreation of the legendary companding circuit found on virtually every studio tape recording since the introduction of the first Dolby noise reduction process in 1965. This all-analog SoloDallas design captures the elusive studio magic heard on countless classic recordings. At its core, the signal path is carefully recreated and optimized: the guitar first passes through the Vintage Console Gain Circuit, which utilizes the famed LM308 op-amp, then into the 65 Compressor, followed by the 65 Expander, and finally through the Vintage OpAmp Boost. Together, these perfectly balanced stages comprise a secret recipe of warmth, harmonics and dynamics, producing that immediately familiar je ne sais quoi from the golden era of recording.

*Special Offer*

Head to the SoloDallas site and add a CD65 and other items to your cart.

Enter @pedaloftheday in the discount code field to receive 10% OFF the entire shopping cart when a CD65 is pre-ordered or purchased.

This exclusive discount code may be applied toward any item on the SoloDallas website and used more than once per customer.

A Studio Magic IR Bundle download code will be immediately emailed to anyone who purchases a CD65 using this exclusive 10% discount code.

From the moment you click it on, the CompanDrive 65 reveals itself as a missing link—unlocking a wide range of inspiring, mix-ready studio guitar tones with depth, clarity, and musical feel.

Vintage Console Gain Circuit (VCGC)
Produces rich, hi-fi overdrive with abundant harmonics while subtly shaping frequencies to add fullness, presence, and clarity in the mix.

65 Compressor
Delivers a smooth, blooming soft-knee attack that enhances note separation and adds musical harmonic clipping without choking dynamics.

65 Expander
Restores overall signal amplitude, removing unwanted “pump and squish” while further emphasizing the harmonics generated by the VCGC and compressor stages.

Vintage OpAmp Boost
A classic op-amp design that preserves delicate frequencies and maintains clarity as output level is increased, making the CompanDrive 65 equally at home on a pedalboard or in the studio.

Other features include 100% Analog Circuitry, a commercial grade PCB, heavy duty True Bypass footswitch, a bright blue LED when effect is engaged and Neutrik jacks. Plus, you can run the CompanDrive 65 (CD65) Compander Overdrive Boost at 9, 12 or 15vDC – experiment and see what voltage sounds best with your setup! This is truly one of those pedals that will turn your head in an instant, and will do the same to anyone else who has the pleasure of hearing it live. Thanks so much to the awesome crew at SoloDallas for including us – please be sure to visit their website for more info, use that Pedal of the Day discount code to order some gear from them, and check out our demo video on our YouTube channel and posts on our socials – cheers!!