Case Study Effects Aspen One Ge Overdrive & Boost

The original Aspen Overdrive, Studio Compressor and Lastlight Boost Overdrive from Case Study Effects were three of the best pedals I saw last year, and they’re back today with another all-timer. The Aspen One brings a bit extra to the sonic drive/boost table, complete with a bunch of knobs and switches that allow you to dial in your perfect sound. This is one of those pedals you know is gonna crush from the instant you turn it on, let’s see what it’s all about…

The Aspen One combines the Case Study Aspen overdrive and a transparent MOSFET boost in a single true bypass enclosure, with relay switching throughout and an all-analog signal path. It’s the most complete drive pedal Case Study has ever built. The Aspen reimagines a classic expandora-style circuit with dramatically improved post-drive volume and a bass knob for dialing in the low end. From edge-of-breakup to face-melting fuzz, it covers more ground than any single drive on your board.

The Boost side features a transparent MOSFET boost. It’s clean most of the way, but then starts to clip when cranked, adding another layer to your drive sound. An Order Switching toggle also flips the signal chain order: boost into drive or drive into boost. These are two fundamentally different sounds, and you can switch between them instantly. There’s even a TRS jack for remote control via a TRS-capable relay pedalboard switcher (like the Mastermind PBC/6X’s FS control), you can remotely engage SW1 on the Aspen side to increase its gain or activate the Boost directly from a preset. If you don’t have a switcher, a simple remote switch works too.

The Aspen One is available in two versions. The Silicon version has the same clipping character as the original Aspen, or the Germanium version I checked out uses vintage hand-sourced vintage germanium diodes; the same ones that made the original Germanium Aspen so hard to put down. Softer clipping, smoothed highs, and something that’s genuinely hard to describe until you hear it. This pedal is another home tun from the Case Study crew – be sure to check out their website and grab some pedals, and don’t forget to peruse our sweeeet demo video on tha YouTubez…cheers!!