I’m a huge fan of DSM Humboldt, first because these guys from Chile are tone wizards and also cause they’re super nice guys. And with their new release, the SILVER LININGS, they’re about to let you enjoy the best Overdrive / Preamp ever built. This superb sounding machine has some unique features and really set the game to a new level.

Designed from scratch, searching for the most versatile and useful drive, that adapts to your playing style and gear, and capable to produce from the sweetest clean jazzy whispers, to the gnarliest of high gain chugs. The range of tones rivals any digital modeler around, but with that immediate response and complex dynamics that only analog circuits can deliver. The Gain control features our own “variable gain bandwidth” circuit, which keeps the tone tight and clear at any range, while keeping a controlled noise floor, and in combination with the Pre Tone control, you get an unprecedented versatility, since it does not only cut the low end, but it acts as a Tilt control to get the exact response you want from your pickups.

With 3 different gain structures, the SILVER LININGS does everything : The Soft style has lower gain and softer clipping, and it takes you to that blackface amp + TS territory, special for blues and pop rhythms. The Vintage style is unique and fattens up the tone, getting a thick, full bodied dance of even harmonics, thanks to asymmetrical clipping. It is a perfect mix of Fuzz and distortion that responds to the touch magically. And the Hard style, gives you a modern amp tone, from crystal cleans to full tilt chugging metal tones. The tone stack is an original passive 3 band Eq, carefully designed and voiced for a range wide enough to adapt to different preamps and get noticeable changes when adjusted.

The Mode Switch can’t be more useful. The NORMAL mode makes the Silver Lining work as a transparent drive, with sparkly highs and solid low end. The PREAMP mode is perfect to use the unit directly into a power amp without losing the high end, and has extra volume to drive the power amp as loud as you want. And the MID BOOST mode, which boosts the 800hz range and smoothes the highs for an extra warm and round tone. The SILVER LININGS boasts a dual boost function, with pre and master boost levels. Use the Pre Boost for extra gain and compression, and the Master Boost for higher output levels. Using them together, you can place your solos in front of the mix with extra gain, like having a second channel. The Master boost also works independently if the drive is bypassed, allowing to use it to boost your clean signal