This is a fresh member of Ibanez's 9-series pedal which is available @ Swee Lee (List: $240). I had the opportunity to have a go at it yesterday while I was in store.
The SD9 isn't a fresh offering, it had been on the shelves in 2009 but was discontinued shortly thereafter. The original version did not feature the GAIN/ MIDS flick switches, in fact, it was a strict Tube Screamer reincarnation with an in-built mod circuitry which had no tweak options. This 2012, you have the options to kick in more gain/ midrange as the labels imply.
In its 'regular' mode, the SD9M does recreate the Tube Screamer resemblance but what I heard had most of the cream restrained. With more gain activated, the SD9M ceased to be a mild-mannered unit, sounding like a hard-edge distortion instead. Bear in mind that this pedal doesn't give you more of the Tube Screamer voicing unlike its TS9DX (Turbo Tube Screamer) sibling but it's quite a transformation from Doc Bruce Banner into the Incredible Hulk (ok, so the pedal sports a green, Hulk hue... *grin*). The mids offering is a little tricky because it actually takes over the tone knob sweep character which otherwise is your normal tone knob. Upon activation, any application of the tone knob past 12 o'clock would manifest lots of midrange. It's great for those solos of yours but in rhythm mode, the excess nasal honk is more quirky than exotic. However, the SD9M is a great inclusion in the Series 9 family as it offers a differentiated tone in light of the TS9DX & JD9.
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