V4 The Kraken Preamp
Heavy, progressive and extended-range tones from VX The Kraken, developed with Rabea Massaad.
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Description
Our award-winning, hardest rocking all-valve pedal preamp: ready to slam new life into your guitar amp, pedalboard or recording rig
V4 The Kraken is a two-channel pedal preamp that delivers genuine all-valve overdrive. Use it straight into the front of your amp or recording interface, or alternatively use it in conjunction with your amp's FX loop to bypass the front end of your existing amp entirely for a whole new sound experience. This is definitely no 'ordinary' overdrive pedal!
Features
All-valve signal path
1 x EC900 and 3 x CV4014 valves running at high plate voltage. These are the first pedal-format guitar preamps to feature four valves and an all-valve signal path. This is no ‘ordinary’ overdrive pedal!
Two Channels
Just like its namesake amp, Gain 1 is a slightly looser more ‘vintage’ British-inspired gain sound. Gain 2 is tighter in the bass with a more cutting midrange character and, of course, more drive.
Remote Switching
The TRS jack gives you option of switching the pedal remotely. You can control on/off and also channel 1/2 with either a separate two-button latching footswitch or via a modern programmable switching unit. This means you can have the V4 Series Pedal Preamp off the floor and out of harm’s way.
Two ways to connect
We recommend ‘Amp Through Mode’ for full functionality where you can choose to use your amp’s own front end, or the V4 Preamp via the amp effects loop. To use it as a ‘normal’ pedal or if you don’t have an effects loop, use ‘Standalone’ mode.
Bright Switch
Bright is a global tone control that optimises the V4 Pedal Preamp for what you’re plugging into. Amp effects loops, inputs, recording devices and so on all differ greatly, so just choose the setting that sounds best to your ears. Don’t worry if other settings sound ‘bad’. It all depends what you’re playing through!
Live, home & studio
Put it on your pedalboard, on top of your amp or on your desktop. It’s particularly good for fly dates, or other situations when you’re not using your own amp. Just hit the FX loop return of whatever you’re using and feel right at home in no time.
Steel Chassis
If you’re going to be standing on it and it contains hot glass, it needs to be tough. The folded steel chassis and kick bar for the knobs means that this thing is ready for the road.
Three-Band EQ
Powerful bass, middle and treble controls. These also have a significant effect on the gain character and drive levels – just like in any valve guitar amp.
Amp Through Mode Explained
- Amp Through Mode utilises the effects loop of your guitar amp
- When the pedal is ON, you’re bypassing your amp’s front end
- When the pedal is OFF, you’re plugged into your amp as normal
You’re adding two new ‘channels’ to your amp that are independent from your amp’s own front end. Imagine if you could feed the power section of a Fender Twin, for example, with the front end of a Countess, Sheriff or Kraken. That’s exactly what your doing: your single-channel workhorse becomes a three-channel monster.
No FX loop? Use Standalone Mode and go straight in the front.
Tech Spec
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Format:
Two-mode all-valve pedal preamp
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Power:
12V DC / 800mA minimum. DC adapter supplied
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Valves:
1 x EC900, 3 x CV4014
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Size:
225(w) x 140(h) x 79mm(d) inc. feet & knobs
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Weight:
1.65kg / 3.6lbs
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Extra features:
- Two connection modes
- Two switchable gain modes
- Steel chassis and control protection bar
- Remote TRS switching option
User Guides
V4 Kraken preamp pedal (English)
Download user guideV4 Kraken preamp pedal (French)
Download user guideV4 Kraken preamp pedal (German)
Download user guideV4 Kraken preamp pedal (Spanish)
Download user guideArtists who use
Rabea Massaad
Frogleap/Vower
Danny Gill
Graham Coxon
Blur
Joshua O'Donnell
Banks Arcade
Jason Meadows
Banks Arcade
