Unlocking the Secrets of the King Drive Overdrive: Internal Switches Explained

The King of Drive: Inspired by Analog Man's King of Tone

The King of Drive is based on the legendary Analog Man King of Tone overdrive.

If you’re not familiar with this boutique pedal, it’s one of the most sought-after overdrives on the market. Getting your hands on an original King of Tone means signing up for a waiting list that can take years, and the price? Well, let’s just say it’s not the most affordable option.

But if you don’t want to wait or spend a fortune, you can look at clones—and that’s where the DemonFX King of Drive comes in. It’s one of the most affordable King of Tone-style pedals out there. You can grab a brand-new one for under $70 or even used for around $30. For the price, it delivers a solid overdrive sound.

Now, while I don’t own an original King of Tone to do a direct comparison, you can find plenty of A/B comparison videos on YouTube. Today, we’re focusing on the hidden power of the internal switches inside the King of Drive—let’s go!

Understanding Internal Switches: The Heart of Tone Manipulation

Inside the King of Drive, there are four internal DIP switches that allow you to shape the tone in different ways. Here’s how they work:

Right Side (Red LED) – Switches 1 & 2

• Switch 1 (Up = Overdrive / Down = Clean Boost)

  • Up: Engages an overdrive circuit for a warmer tone.

  • Down: Switches to a clean boost, giving you the purest signal from the pedal.

• Switch 2 (Up = Distortion / Down = Off)

  • Up: Turns the right side into a distortion mode, adding more grit and saturation.

  • Down: Keeps the setting clean, allowing Switch 1 to determine the drive.

  • Demon FX recommends keeping Switch 1 down when using distortion for more clarity.

Left Side (Yellow LED) – Switches 3 & 4

• Switch 3 (Up = Overdrive / Down = Clean Boost)

  • Functions the same as Switch 1 but controls the left side of the pedal.

• Switch 4 (Up = Distortion / Down = Off)

  • Works like Switch 2 but for the left side of the pedal.

Presence Controls for Each Side

The presence trim pots inside the pedal work like a treble control but are set differently than most tone knobs. Neutral (default) is all the way down. If your guitar sounds too dark, you can turn it up to add brightness.

High-Gain Mode

Another small internal switch allows you to increase the gain across the entire circuit.

• Down = Normal Gain (Classic King of Tone sound)

• Up = High-Gain Mode (More distortion and saturation)

This works independently for both sides of the pedal. If you want maximum gain, pair the high-gain mode with the distortion setting.

Suggested Settings from Demonfx

Here are a few preset ideas to try:

1. Dual Overdrive Mode

   • Switch 1: Up

   • Switch 2: Down

   • Switch 3: Up

   • Switch 4: Down

   • Gives you a smooth, dynamic overdrive on both channels.

2. Dual Clean Boost Mode

   • Switch 1: Down

   • Switch 2: Down

   • Switch 3: Down

   • Switch 4: Down

   • Purest clean boost setting with minimal coloration.

3. Distortion + Clean Boost Mode (Recommended by Demon FX)

   • Switch 1: Down

   • Switch 2: Up (Distortion on Red Side)

   • Switch 3: Down (Clean Boost on Yellow Side)

   • Switch 4: Down

   • The distortion feeds into the clean boost, giving you more volume and definition.

4. Maximum Gain Mode (For High-Gain Lovers!)

   • Switch 1: Up

   • Switch 2: Up

   • Switch 3: Down

   • Switch 4: Up

   • A high-gain monster for heavier tones!

Final Thoughts: A Budget King of Tone?

The King of Drive by Demonfx is a surprisingly versatile overdrive that delivers a wide range of tones at a fraction of the price of the original Analog Man King of Tone. With the internal switches, you can customize the pedal to fit blues, rock, hard rock, and even heavier genres.

It also comes with:

• True bypass for a cleaner signal

• Top-mounted jacks to save space on your pedalboard

• 9V battery or adapter power options

If you want boutique overdrive tones without the boutique price, this pedal is definitely worth checking out!

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