The Carl Martin Boost Kick is a true bypass boost pedal from Danish maker Carl Martin, delivering up to 12dB of clean, transparent boost with a 3-band EQ for shaping a solo tone1. Carl Martin positions it as a premium pedal, handmade in Denmark with premium components, built for players who want more volume or a pushed amp without changing the core character of their sound1.
What it does and how it sounds
At its core, the Boost Kick delivers up to 12dB of clean, transparent boost, which is enough to lift a solo above the band or push an amp harder1. The EQ section is what separates it from a simple volume boost: the Punch control shapes bass frequencies at ±20dB at 40Hz, and the maker quotes a ±20dB at 1kHz figure for another band, so the two sources of the spec disagree on which frequency that second figure belongs to1. The full frequency range is 40Hz to 16kHz, and Carl Martin quotes a 60dB signal-to-noise ratio1.
Carl Martin's product page gives three sample settings that show the range the pedal covers1:
| Sample setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Clean Boost | Transparent volume increase without tonal change1 |
| Smooth Crisp Boost | Polished lead tones1 |
| Blues Kick | Cutting blues solos1 |
Controls
The Level control provides smooth, precise adjustment of the boost amount1. The three EQ controls, which Carl Martin labels Punch and its companion bands, shape the tone around that boost, so a player can set them flat for a straight volume lift or cut and boost frequencies to help a solo sit differently in the mix1.
Power and bypass
The Boost Kick can run from a standard 9V battery or an external 9V DC regulated power supply rated at 50mA minimum with a center negative plug1. Current draw is only 12mA, so it is light on a pedalboard power supply1. It uses true bypass switching, which Carl Martin says ensures that when the pedal is off, 100% of the guitar signal passes through untouched1.
The center negative plug follows the common pedalboard standard, so the Boost Kick works with most 9V DC supplies. The 50mA minimum rating on the supply is well above the pedal's 12mA draw1.
Build and origin
The pedal is handmade in Denmark with premium components, in a compact, rugged diecast housing measuring 120x95x56mm and weighing 350g, which Carl Martin says is built to withstand years of stage and studio use1.
The Carl Martin Kick Boost, a different pedal
Players searching for the Boost Kick sometimes find the earlier Carl Martin Kick Boost, a separate pedal with Punch, Attack, Edge and Level knobs2. The independent review site muzique.com (AMZ Guitar Effects) reviewed it and found it a versatile booster, noting that its three tone controls equate to bass, mid and treble and can be dialed flat for a straight boost2. The review also flagged its noise:
"Like other equalizer type pedals it has more noise than less complicated pedals. This would be great for live applications, but maybe a little too noisy for recording."2
Donner Rusk and Nathan Condon, muzique.com (AMZ Guitar Effects)2
The Kick Boost runs on 9V with an LED, according to the same review2. Carl Martin's current boost line also includes the Hydra Boost and the Tone Tweaker, a 12dB boost pedal with a 3-band EQ of its own.
Videos
Selane Productions
Tom Beardsworth
cevoraj
Questions
Does the Carl Martin Boost Kick use a battery?
Yes. Carl Martin says the Boost Kick can be powered by a standard 9V battery or by an external 9V DC regulated power supply rated at 50mA minimum with a center negative plug. Current draw is low at 12mA, so a battery lasts a long time.
Is the Carl Martin Boost Kick true bypass?
Yes. Carl Martin describes the Boost Kick as a true bypass boost pedal, and says that when the pedal is off, 100% of the guitar signal passes through untouched.
How much boost does the Carl Martin Boost Kick give?
Up to 12dB of clean, transparent boost, set with the Level control. The maker describes it as a clean boost with a 3-band EQ for shaping a solo tone, with a frequency range of 40Hz to 16kHz.
What power supply does the Carl Martin Boost Kick need?
An external 9V DC regulated supply rated at 50mA minimum, center negative, or a standard 9V battery. The pedal itself draws only 12mA, so it is easy to run from most pedalboard power supplies.
Where is the Carl Martin Boost Kick made?
Carl Martin says the Boost Kick is handmade in Denmark with premium components, in a compact diecast housing measuring 120x95x56mm and weighing 350g.
How much boost does the Carl Martin Kick Boost give?
The Kick Boost is a separate, earlier Carl Martin pedal. The independent review site muzique.com covered its Punch, Attack, Edge and Level controls, treating its three tone knobs as bass, mid and treble controls that can be set flat for a straight boost. The review did not give a boost figure.
Sources (2)
- Boost Kick, Carl Martin, 2026
- Reviews of boost pedals, muzique.com (AMZ Guitar Effects)
