Citadel Electronics Particle Drive

A Modern "British" High Gain in the Citadel Electronics Range

The Particle Drive was designed as a standalone distortion capable of recreating the essence of a modern British high gain amp, while remaining simple to dial in. It fits within the Citadel Electronics approach: analog circuits focused on performance (attack, definition, noise control) and ergonomics tailored for the stage. Plugged into a clean channel, the pedal behaves like a true compact preamp, ideal for getting a big sound immediately without stacking gain stages.

For Whom, Which Styles, and In What Contexts?

This high gain distortion pedal is aimed at guitarists seeking a modern, precise, and percussive sound, especially in low tunings. It excels in djent, metalcore, death metal, but is also very comfortable in heavy and hard rock whenever dense and clear saturation is desired.

In rehearsal, studio, or on stage, the Particle Drive is particularly relevant if you play with a dynamic right hand pick attack: the fast response and integrated gate help keep riffs "tight" effortlessly. On a pedalboard, it can serve as a main preamp (in a clean amp) or an aggressive boost in front of a tube amp, depending on your approach.

Controls, Modes, and Design: Everything for a Controlled Signal

The Particle Drive keeps it simple with an efficient control section: Level (output volume), Drive (amount of saturation), Tone (brightness adjustment after distortion), and Gate (noise reduction threshold). The Dynazero noise gate is integrated to maintain a natural playing feel while cutting unwanted noise when you stop playing.

A 3-position selector offers three gain structures/voicings (different midrange characters and tightness). This is a real lever to adapt the pedal to your guitar, your cabinet, or a clean channel that is too "bright" or too "round." For reliability, it features a relay true bypass and a silent footswitch, as well as a power-on state selector (handy if you power an entire pedalboard and want to choose whether the pedal starts activated or not).

Sound

The Particle Drive delivers a dense, incisive, and very defined distortion, with a solid low end and sharp attacks: perfect for palm mutes, syncopated riffs, and artificial harmonics. The dynamics remain clear even on complex chords, and the integrated noise gate helps maintain a "studio" sound in live situations. Depending on the selected voicing, you can go from a more classic and singing grain to a more modern, tighter, and surgical sound, ideal for fast rhythms and sharp stops.

Technical specifications

Effects	Preamp, Distortion	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Red
EQ	Tone

Noise gate	integrated Dynazero	Selector	power-on activation/deactivation
Controls	Level, Gate, Tone, Drive	Dimensions	114 mm (length) x 62 mm (width) x 58 mm (height)
Gain structures	3 selectable modes	Weight	250 g
Character selector	3 positions (voicings)	Suitable styles	djent, metalcore, death metal, heavy and hard rock
Input impedance	1 megaohm	For guitar	optimal operation on clean channel, usable as standalone distortion or boost
Output impedance	100 ohms	Context	stage, studio, intensive rehearsals
Input	6.35mm Jack (TS)	Power supply	not included
Output	6.35mm Jack (TS)	Required power supply	9 V DC (center negative)
Bypass	relay true bypass	Consumption	100 mA
Footswitch	silent