Browne Amplification Protein V4 – Bluesbreaker + Nashville/ODR-1 dual overdrive with perfect stacking

Bluesbreaker-style Blue Side · Nashville/ODR-1-style Green Side · Green → Blue stacking · 3-way Hi-Cut · Internal Green Side switches · Split mode for switchers · 9V <130mA

The Browne Amplification Protein V4 is one of the most respected modern dual overdrives for one simple reason: its two sides stack better than almost anything in its class. It was created through a collaboration between David Brown and guitarist/producer Adam Sniegowski, with the goal of building an overdrive that could sound great through unpredictable backline amps, different rigs, and real-world studio or live situations.

The Protein combines two classic overdrive families, refined the Browne way. The Blue Side lives in the Marshall Bluesbreaker world: open, dynamic and amp-like, associated with tones like John Mayer’s Continuum. Browne addressed some common limitations of that circuit family, including limited output, and revoiced the tone control for a more usable, consistent feel.

The Green Side is inspired by the classic “Nashville” overdrive sound, sitting close to the Nobels ODR-1 family: warm, full, low-mid rich and extremely musical for rhythm and lead work. In the Protein, Browne lowers the gain range for a more usable sweep, rebalances the mids for added presence, and tightens the low end so the drive stays punchy without getting muddy.

The real magic happens when both sides are stacked. The Protein is arranged so the Green Side runs into the Blue Side, creating a third “channel”: more gain, more body and more sustain, while still retaining note clarity. It’s not the kind of stacked drive that turns to mush — it stays thick, defined and highly playable.

The V4 version adds more control without losing the soul of the pedal. The Blue Side now features a 3-way Hi-Cut, taken from the Carbon V2, to tailor the top end to your amp, pickups or mix. The Green Side adds three internal switches: Low Cut for tighter bass, More Clip for more aggressive breakup, and Asymmetrical Clipping for added harmonic complexity and a slightly rawer edge.

It also keeps modern pedalboard integration in mind: top-mounted jacks, soft switching, and an internal split mode using TRS connections for running each side in separate loops with compatible switchers.

Key features

• Dual overdrive with two complementary circuits
• Blue Side: modified Bluesbreaker-style overdrive, open and high-headroom
• Green Side: Nashville / Nobels ODR-1-style overdrive, warm and low-mid rich
• Internal order: Green Side → Blue Side
• Exceptionally musical stacking: more gain and body without losing clarity
• Ideal for unpredictable backline amps, clean amps, edge-of-breakup rigs and professional boards
• 3-way Hi-Cut on the Blue Side
• Three internal Green Side switches:
• • Low Cut: tighter low end
  • More Clip: more aggressive clipping and gain
  • Asymmetrical Clipping: added harmonic complexity and rawer response
• Top-mounted jacks
• Soft switching
• Internal split mode for separate loop-switcher integration
• Great as a foundation drive: low gain, medium gain, boost, lead and stacked drive

Technical specifications

• Type: analog dual overdrive
• Blue Side: modified Bluesbreaker-style overdrive
• Green Side: Nashville / ODR-1-style overdrive
• Blue Side controls: Level, Gain, Tone, Hi-Cut
• Green Side controls: Level, Drive, Tone
• Internal Green Side switches: Low Cut, More Clip, Asymmetrical Clipping
• Internal order: Green Side into Blue Side
• Connections: 1/4" input and output
• Split mode: via TRS and internal switch
• Power: 9V DC center-negative
• Current draw: <130mA
• Dimensions: 120 × 94 × 56 mm including knobs
• Manufacturer: Browne Amplification

Find the Browne Amplification Protein V4 at onemorepedal.com.

Two classic drives reimagined: one breathes, one pushes, together they sing.