Debuted at Musikmesse 2010, the Ice 9 is the newest member of the VOX Joe Satriani line of pedals, named after a song with the same title on Joe’s “Surfin’ with the Alien” album. While it uses the same box and layout as the Satchurator, this is a completely different animal. The Satchurator is a distortion box, while the Ice 9 is an overdrive. Okay… so it’s yet another overdrive pedal entry into the already – excuse the pun – saturated overdrive pedal market. But the Ice 9 has some interesting features that are worth noting.
First of all, it has a Vintage/Modern switch. This switch provides different overdrive voicings. According to VOX, the Vintage circuitry models the classic Tube Screamer tones, while the Modern circuitry adds a bit more top-end bit and a bit of compression. In addition to the Vintage/Modern switch, the Ice 9 features a Bass knob for dialing in more bass response; perfect for getting really scooped, modern drive tones. Finally, like the Satchurator, the Ice 9 has the JS line’s signature “More” toggle, which adds a 10dB clean boost when engaged.
Pretty cool features, IMO. The Ice 9 is slated to be shipped in June. I don’t have any pricing information on it yet, but I don’t doubt that it’ll be reasonably priced if the rest of the JS line is any indication. Here are a some videos:
VOX Ice 9 Introduction Video
VOX Musikmess Demo
Musikmesse Demo from PremierGuitar
Guitar Gear 
[…] it. But time went on, and I completely forgot about it until I saw the announcement for the new VOX Ice 9 overdrive pedal. Then suddenly, a light went off in my head, and I just nodded to myself, “That’s […]
One of my students has It! It rocks
I want one!!
Please somebody speak to my wife 😦
What an awesome pedal!
Oh great another “modeled after the” TS overdrive. A rather cheap lo-fi gain box. I recently got rig of the very good TS mod type ODs I had. They were OK, just not crazy with the gainy OD which really does not push the amp like an “over-drive” is supposed to do.
Overdrives have become merely lower intensity gain boxes. I do not need a gain box, I have some really good ones. I like ODs with some push and dark quality to them. Like the OCD which can be used all sorts of ways by different players. Maybe this Ice 9 will have the ability to get dark with that low level knob and push the input instead of just distort. Time will tell. I love the Satchurator and it turned out much better than the bad demos so maybe this one will be of the same caliber.
I know… there are so many “modeled after TS” pedals out there. But I still look at them. My first thought when I heard that was just like yours, and then I played it, and it simply kicks ass! I played with the OCD for quite a while, but have since retired it as I’ve found OD’s that suit me better.
the “more” adds boost pre distortion and the output (“volume”) has plenty of gain to send to a amp, only thing i find a bit weird is when tone controls are set to 12 oclock it doesn’t sound like there neutral positions, especially the bass which is pre distortion. the tone knob control the shape post drive.
I had a v3 OCD and went on to other boxes. I even had the FullDrive2 and nothing ever got what the OCD could do NOR most importantly do any of them respond dynamically to strike or input like the OCD behaves, really feels like tubes. I got another v4. I use mine differently, although it is capable of gaining up I do not use it in that manner. I actually run it on LP and I use a Fat Boost 3 in front of it. I can run the OCD or the Fat Boost into my high gains and that works as well. I find the OCD and Fat Boost (which stays on most of them time) morph with other boxes you use them with like no others I have had. I dig the Satchurator and I am sure this new OD has to have some similar qualities. It will not be replacing my v4 OCD or my Fat Boost but will become another option color for my board. You can dirty amp an OD and increase the gain tone. One reason I have amp switching, clean on high gains like the JS DS and dirty with ODs. I am sure this Ice 9 if anything like the cool tones the Satchurator has will be a good box. I found the Vox JS DS to be what Joe claimed I hope the ICE 9 is on par.
Well, time has changed my views again, after running the ICE 9 through the paces on my board and trying out differing options: I have to say it is a great drive, it is not a gainy drive like the OCD or even a typical TS type, it is a tremendous “real” drive (not just a gain box) that pushes the tube front end. Sounds great pushing a clean channel into a tonal funk, or to push a slightly gained warm channel, or even with the high gain channel. I like it because it has so many uses and melds w whatever you want it to do. I realize why the demo guy did not have the amp toned down clean, it’s because this drive pushes a light breakup into a great crunch better than merely cranking the amp more.
I just love it and the way it enhances whatever I use it with. I have found I like the ICE9 up front (after my JS-Wah and Whammy (used for harmonizer modes). The ICE 9 goes into the OCD set for high gain, then the Satchurator, into my current other high gain right now which is the Rocktron Metal Planet. The Fat Boost 3 is at the end of the chain where Fuller recommends it, not as a boost or OD but just to regain the tone slightly above unity with the bass and treb all up, drive down. Pretty much stays on.
The ICE 9 sounds great into anything or by itself for so many options of tones, plus there is the “More” switch on the Satchurator and ICE9.
Sure you could go Barber, or Wampler, Lovepedal (upwards of $200) but this is a great drive for $130 and it looks great. Vox makes quality build and great looking pedal. I have the whole Vox line and doubt if they will move off the board. Others may come and go but I dig this drive and can always find a use for it.