Chinese digital instrument manufacturer NU-X enters the crowded “Klone” arena with the mini-pedal Horseman Overdrive, as far as we know the 3rd mini-klone on the market after Wampler’s Tumnus and the MXR Sugar Drive – but a lot more affordable than either. They showcased this pedal at NAMM 2019 and it’s now shipping.
Featuring the classic three knobs of the legendary device (Gain, Output and Treble), this pedal offers the handy option to emulate not one but TWO versions of the Centaur Overdrive:
Gold mode is the mimic of the classic, transparent Gold Centaur overdrive pedal, and the Silver mode is a powered version with an extended gain range (Silver Centaur).
Needless to say, the Horseman’s circuit is not a perfect emulation of the original, utilizing Op Amps for the voltage conversion to 18V.
Here are the first official videos of it. We added this pedal to our list of the Best Super Affordable Klone Centaur clones.
Two in One Overdrive Pedal
One of the most wanted 2 overdrive pedals produced in mid 90’s is now in one pedal with pocket size. NUX Horseman is a homage of the legendary Centaur pedal. There are 3 dials up for primary settings and 2 modes called Gold and Silver and it offers a lot of sound option that normally you can get from two pedals.
Gold mode is the mimic of the classic, transparent Gold Centaur overdrive pedal, and the Silver mode is a powered version with an extended gain range (Silver Centaur).
NUX Unique Design
The sound is based on the Centaur’s voltage converter circuit. But the Horseman’s characteristic design is crafted with OP-AMP, voltage converter driving the 18V to OP-AMP, higher voltage supply orders more harmonics, convincingly produces the sound of the unique pedal.
More Functions~
NUX Horseman has an optional bypass modes. You can use the pedal in True Bypass mode to keep your signal untouched when the pedal is OFF in the chain. We highly recommend to select buffer bypass mode if you have more than 4 pedals connected together, switch to Buffer Bypass mode and there will be no signal loss in your pedal chain!
