Why the DRV? MMHMM 20th Anniversary

An extra special release

It is entirely impossible to imagine 20 years. It’s difficult to remember back that far! I do still have some flash bulb memories from that time, from making the MMHMM album, the gear we used, and a lot of PF Changs takeout (Thanks Gotee Records).

This album was a big switch on our approach. We had recorded our previous three records in our producer’s house. This was our first “big budget” record. We did it at Dark Horse Recording, which is still one of my all-time favorite places to record. I love just being there.

We also hired a secondary engineer, Joe Marlett. He brought a different perspective and approach. We found him because he had worked on Blink, Foo Fighters records, etc.

This was the first time that we used the Royer-121 ribbon mic, mixed with a 57, and I think that gives the guitars a lot of their feel on this recording. We also really tried for consistency. I think I tracked the same 2 guitars through the exact same rig for all of the main rhythm tracks. It was a Les Paul Custom and a Les Paul Deluxe. The amps were also a complex blend. A lot of it was my vintage Marshall Superlead, which I still use all the time. We also blended in a little Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier (which Matt still owns), and also a Silvertone 1484. I think this ended up making a somewhat unique sound, actually mixing together a rock amp, a modern amp, and a vintage amp.

All of this recording was a lot of what inspired the DRV circuit. I was looking for something smoother than a RAT, but not fizzy like a Mesa, but also not super vintage sounding like a Silvertone. I also wanted it to be warm and have a nice smoosh to it (from the ribbon mic sound). I felt that using a RAT pedal live, didn’t quite do it. I tried the Fulltone OCD for a bit, a few other pedals, but the DRV really is the closest I’ve heard to getting this recorded album sound.

Today I released a version of the DRV with the album artwork from MMHMM. I am so happy about how it turned out, and I think it is a beautiful pedal! One funny thing is that it doesn’t even say 1981 Inventions orrrr Relient K on it lol. I like that, and I think it’s funny in a good way. But also, if you know then you know. M@ has agreed to sign all these with me, which is gonna be a lot, and I’m super thankful that he is doing that. I also think that will be a nice touch.

Limited to 500 units total, this will be a one time release. Check it out here!

https://1981inventions.com/items/mmhmm20

Here’s some pics of it too. Excited for more MMHMM 20th Anniversary Celebrations!