I’ve never owned an overdrive before, and plugging in the Royal Blue was a jaw-drop moment. My Orange amp has never sounded this good, the tone came alive in a way I honestly didn’t expect. The Royal Blue feels incredibly dynamic and touch-sensitive: it responds beautifully to picking strength, bends, and vibrato, making it feel like an extension of my hands rather than just another pedal.
Stacked with reverb and compressor it sounds lush and musical, but even on its own, the overdrive is rich, harmonically complex, and never harsh. Compared to distortion pedals I’ve tried, this has way more character and nuance. it’s ludicrously good with everything set at moderate levels, and you can push it hard without it ever losing clarity.
This pedal has genuinely re-inspired me to play more. If you’re looking for an overdrive that amplifies the soul of your playing rather than just covering it in grit, the Royal Blue is a perfect choice.