The Black Clouds is a distortion pedal from DSM Humboldt, released as the Black Clouds Lead Tone Machine and described by MusicRadar as a preamp pedal, "a fully featured boost and distortion with comprehensive EQ"1. Pedal of the Day called it a pedal that "translates a clear vision of what a Lead Tone Machine should be into stark reality"2.
The circuit was designed from scratch rather than cloned from an existing design, and the pedal carries a 3-band EQ, what the maker calls tons of gain on tap, and a dual boost function for extra gain and volume3. Its most distinctive feature is the X-Gate, a passive noise gate built into the pedal that also adds crossover distortion for texture3. Three modes of operation, selected on a mini-toggle, are said to adapt to virtually any setup3.
What it does to your sound
The Black Clouds is aimed squarely at high-gain metal territory. Pedal of the Day found it "aggressive and articulated, yet it is quiet, due in large" part to its gate, with "a unique amp feel that can produce chugs"2. MusicRadar reported that it "promises high-gain and a low-noise floor thanks to its onboard X-Gate tech"1.
The maker positions it as a lead tone machine as much as a rhythm tool: the dual boost function adds gain and volume for solos, while the Pre Tone control shapes the signal entering the drive circuit so the pedal responds consistently to different pickups3.
The controls
The control set splits into three groups: input conditioning, the distortion stage itself, and output. Here is every control and what it does, from the maker's product page and Guitar Pedal X's control summary423.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pre Tone | A tilt EQ that balances high and low end entering the drive circuit, compensating for different pickup characteristics. Clockwise reduces low end and enhances top end for tighter, more aggressive chugs; counterclockwise enhances the bottom end and reduces the top for fatter, fuller single lines3 |
| Pre Boost | Controls input boost from 0 to 30dB with a slight mid boost to add definition. Raises gain and compression when the boost function is used. Not functional when the pedal is bypassed3 |
| Gain | Variable Gain Bandwidth control for the distortion stage4 |
| Level | Output level for the distortion section2 |
| Treble | High frequencies above 2kHz, ±15dB3 |
| Mid | 300Hz to 2kHz, ±12dB4 |
| Bass | Below 300Hz, ±10dB4 |
| Master Boost | Clean boost at the output, +20dB4 |
| Mode toggle | Three-way mini-toggle: Normal (transparent), Preamp (insert), Mid Boost (+800Hz mid-hump drive)4 |
| X-Gate switch | Off / Both / Boost only4 |
The Pre Tone control is the one players will want to understand first. MusicRadar described it as letting "players fine-tune the EQ of your instrument's signal as it enters the drive stage"1. Because it works before the drive circuit, it changes how the distortion itself reacts, not just the final tone: a brighter, leaner input yields tighter chugs, while a bassier input yields a fatter voice for single-note lines3.
The two boosts sit on either side of the distortion. Pre Boost pushes the input for more gain and compression with a slight mid lift for definition, up to 30dB3. Master Boost is a clean +20dB boost at the output for volume, the kind of thing a lead player taps for solos4. Pedal of the Day summarized the pair plainly: "you have controls for Pre-Boost, which ups the Input Boost, and Master Boost, which sets the amount of Output Boost"2.
The X-Gate
The X-Gate is the feature that sets the Black Clouds apart from most distortion pedals. It is a passive noise gate that, in the maker's words, "chops the silent passages instantly. It's great for Djenty percussive breakdowns. It also adds crossover distortion which adds another layer of texture to the tone"3.
That second half matters: the gate is not just a silence cleaner. The crossover distortion it introduces is an effect in its own right, which MusicRadar noted "can be used to add texture to" electric guitar tones1. The three-position switch (Off, Both, Boost only) lets players apply the gate to the whole signal or only to the boosted path4.
Pedal of the Day tested it and reported: "The noise gate works well for chopping breakdowns"2.
"There's also an X-Gate Switch, which controls a passive noise gate that chops the silent passages instantly. It's great"
Modes and setup flexibility
Three modes of operation "can adapt to virtually any setup," according to the maker3. A three-way mini-toggle selects between them1:
- Normal: transparent operation
- Preamp: insert mode, for running the pedal as a preamp in a loop or into a power amp
- Mid Boost: adds an 800Hz mid-hump drive4
The Preamp mode is what earned the pedal its "preamp pedal" description in MusicRadar's launch coverage1, and it makes the Black Clouds usable beyond the front of a clean amp, into effects loops or direct setups.
Where it came from
DSM Humboldt unveiled the Black Clouds Lead Tone Machine as a new pedal in its lineup1. The pedal was designed from scratch rather than based on an existing circuit3. Guitar Pedal X included it in its roundup of the best new distortion pedals of 20234.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
DSM / Humboldt
CesarHuescaMusic
Questions
What is the X-Gate on the Black Clouds?
The X-Gate is a passive noise gate switched on the pedal. It chops silent passages instantly, which DSM Humboldt says suits djenty percussive breakdowns. It also adds crossover distortion, which the maker describes as another layer of texture in the tone. It has three positions: Off, Both, and Boost only.
Does the Black Clouds have a built-in noise gate?
Yes. The Black Clouds has an onboard X-Gate, a passive noise gate that cuts silent passages instantly. MusicRadar reported that the pedal promises high gain with a low noise floor thanks to this onboard X-Gate tech, and Pedal of the Day found the gate works well for chopping breakdowns.
How many modes does the Black Clouds High-Gain Distortion have?
Three. A three-way mini-toggle selects between Normal, Preamp and Mid Boost modes. Normal is transparent, Preamp works as an insert, and Mid Boost adds an 800Hz mid-hump drive. The maker says the three modes of operation can adapt to virtually any setup.
Is the Black Clouds suited to djent and metal rhythm playing?
Yes, that is its stated territory. The X-Gate is described by the maker as great for djenty percussive breakdowns, and the Pre Tone control turned clockwise tightens the low end for more aggressive chugs. Pedal of the Day found it aggressive and articulated yet quiet, with a unique amp feel that can produce chugs.
Sources (4)
- DSM Humboldt unveils the Black Clouds Lead Tone Machine, the “ultimate distortion” for high-gain adventure, complete with an onboard noise gate, MusicRadar, 2023-02-03
- DSM & Humboldt Black Clouds High-Gain Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2023-03-19
- BLACK CLOUDS, DSM/HUMBOLDT, 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-17
