The World's Smallest Effects Pedal??? Olinthus Cicada Overdrive!

We took the world’s most iconic overdrive sounds and stuffed them inside the smallest effects pedal ever created. Cicada may be minuscule, but it has more than enough might to fatten your tones and give new energy to every sound wave you throw at it. And we know what you might be thinking. Why did you do this? Why is Cicada so small? How do I plug in? Can I step on it? What does it sound like? Are you guys serious? In this video we’ll answer all of those questions and more.

Cicada faithfully recreates the sought-after sounds of the original Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer* and shoehorns them into the smallest effects pedal on the planet. You get a huge variety of silky smooth, complex overdriven tones. In a comically small footprint.

Yes, we’re aware that an overdrive pedal this tiny is a bit ridiculous. But by challenging our notions of what an effects pedal has to be, a new world of possibilities opened up that we never expected. Turns out, making it small also makes it pretty awesome.

No matter how little space you have, there’s always room for the huge overdriven sounds of Cicada. Its small size allows it to be placed where no pedal has gone before. Running out of room on your pedalboard? No need to kick other pedals off your board—Cicada fits in the smallest open spaces in your rig.

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What is Olinthus? ► Olinthus is a company devoted to creating products and experiences that inspire inventive ideas, spark joy, and make you laugh. We just launched our first product, Cicada, and have several others that are currently in development!

What does the name Olinthus mean? ► To us, the name Olinthus means creativity, technology, art, science, and natural beauty. Olinthus is an alternate spelling of Olynthus, a neotropical genus of butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. Olinthus was also the first name of Olinthus Gilbert Gregory, an English mathematician that combined his love of mathematics with an interest in music. The word origin comes from the Greek Olynthos, meaning “the fruit of the wild fig tree”.

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Table of Contents:
0:00 - We Love Effects Pedals!
0:45 - Introducing Cicada!
2:01 - Why Did We Make This?
3:22 - How Do I Plug In?
4:12 - How Do I Turn It On?
4:39 - How Can I Use It?
5:45 - Cicada’s Circuit!
6:26 - Design Process!
7:36 - Sustainability!
8:18 - Small Pedal Rumors?
9:03 - Thanks!

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*All third-party product names are trademarks of their respective owners, which are in no way associated or affiliated with Olinthus. These product names, descriptions and images are provided for the sole purpose of identifying the specific products that were studied during the Olinthus circuit design and sound design process. Ibanez®, and Tube Screamer® are registered trademarks of Hoshino Gakki Co., Ltd. Pedaltrain® is a registered trademark of Pro Stage Gear, LLC.

[varietypa...]

This tiny pedal idea is Huge. Please, don`t stop!

[INeverWanted]

Yeah, I'm gonna need an entire series of this form factor. Lol

[titichartay]

Love it ! I live in Australia & can't wait for it to hit our shore. Also a tiny pedal board for plane travel would be fabulous.

[AlamoBlend]

This is super cool! As a bass player who uses an always-on compressor, I would absolutely love to see a compressor in this form factor that I could tuck away under my board and not have it take up valuable real estate - it would be especially great if you could give it at least 3 or 4 knobs and/or internal mini-pots for finer-tuned control. Subscribed and can't wait to hear more!

[slashabid]

One of the coolest things I've seen lately! Awesome!

[joerobertson]

Brilliant!
Most interesting design of 2024.

[cplock]

Love the idea of a tiny always on compressor. would defo recommend a usbc rechargeable power supply in the pedal board concept. What’s the point in tiny and portable if you’re still tethered to a wall wart. Would love something like this for teaching in schools/college

[ne]

I’m ordering one when I get paid on Friday with earring adapters. I also love the sustainable packaging. Excited to see what else y’all create!!

[Metalbass]

This is seriously one of the coolest ideas in a long time. What I'd suggest you do is to create a bass version with a dry blend, then add on some international touring artists to play it. I'd gracioulsy volunteer. 😉

[FugitiveOrchestra]

Amazing! Absolutely love that your packaging is environmentally conscious too. Save some good ideas for the rest of us, won't ya?! ;)

[OscillationOverdrive]

Stepping on that thing has to be akin to stepping on a Lego.

[dakotaaryerson]

Someone tell Josh from JHS… he’ll need to have one!

[CACA-fnqx]

Wanna see a noisegate in this kind of form

[thefuzzmaster]

This is superb! Any chance you guys are also making a worlds smallest Fuzz pedal?

[timwilson]

I’m a big fan of the Hotone Skyline series of pedals as well as the Joyo series in the same form factor. And yet, I’ve always said to myself “that needs to be smaller actually.” Congratulations on making the pedal world so much bigger by making the pedals so much smaller.

[richdude]

Just purchased. Cant wait to play with it on stage. Im sure itll be a blast.

[kickingitwithkeri]

Very cool and super cute. Good job, guys 👍

[jeremybnz]

I hope you're making a daisy chain for connecting multiple pedals together?!?!??!? That would be amazeballs!

[joerobertson]

How about... make a strap holder with a 9v or rechargeable 9v built in?
Perfect for acoustic-electirc players to have a second preamp/overdrive right on the guitar.

When the others and pedalboard come out there will be marketing opportunities to pair with some vendor with tiny amps (yamaha THR20 type) for a "Real" office or dormroom rig.

Simply brilliant design.
Great job!

[manaras]

It’s brilliant, it’s beautiful, sounds good. Please distribute in Europe, please!