It's still a DS-1: more distortion, crunchier, and more low end than a tube screamer, and after the mod it sounds awesome even with the DIST knob down all the way. It is a very useful pedal with the DIST knob down for people who don't want too much distortion, or have an amp that is already distortiing. It does not have the midrange hump of a tube screamer, it actually has a scooped midrange for more of a modern sound. Most people will use them at high DIST settings, but they sound awesome at low DIST settings too. Play gently and get a clear, clean tone, play harder and the crunch and distortion comes out clear and full!

The DS-1 has quite a scooped midrange, especially stock. This is cool for heavier modern sounds but sometimes too thin in the mids for classic distortion sounds, especially through a Fender type amp. After our PRO mod, the lows are better but but it's still quite scooped in the mids. In 2007 we came up with a mod to allow dialing in more mids for more of a classic tube amp sound. We can now add a small MIDRANGE knob under the TONE knob, as a $25 option. It has the exact stock midrange setting and sound at about 10:00. Turning it up gives more midrange and a little more volume. It works along with the TONE control. We can sell you a new DS1/Pro with this option or mod your DS1 pedal.