The K&K Sound Pure Preamp is a compact external preamplifier designed to enhance the signal from acoustic guitar pickups and other passive transducers. It is an analog unit with a clean, low-noise circuit, built for players whose pickup needs a gain and tone stage before an amp or PA. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes its wide-band midrange filter and high input impedance as providing a natural, full-range response from 10 Hz to 30 kHz, making it especially effective with piezo pickups1.
Controls
The Pure Preamp keeps its controls simple: three-band EQ on the outside and one gain setting inside the case1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Bass | Low-band EQ |
| Mid | Midrange EQ |
| Treble | High-band EQ |
| Internal gain trim | Adjusts the amplification from subtle to stronger boosts, set inside the unit |
Because the gain trim is internal, it is a set-and-forget control: you dial in the amount of boost your pickup needs once, then shape tone with the three EQ bands from the outside1.
Power and carrying it
The unit is powered by a 9V battery with long life, according to RockBoard's PedalPedia1. Combined with the rugged belt-clip case, that makes it a preamp you can wear rather than mount: clip it to a belt or strap and adjust on the fly, with no power supply or pedalboard needed1.
The maker's manual for the Pure Preamp is available in English as a PDF from K&K Sound's distributor1.
Where it sits among acoustic preamps
The Pure Preamp is a minimal, battery-powered gain-and-EQ stage. Other acoustic preamps on the site take different approaches: the Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp and Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre are pedal-format units, while the LR Baggs Align Series Equalizer pairs EQ with a matching series of acoustic pedals. For a broader view of the category, see Preamp Pedals and Acoustic Pedals1.
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Questions
Does the K&K Pure Preamp use a battery?
Yes. According to the maker, the Pure Preamp is powered by a 9V battery with long life, so there is no external power supply to carry to a gig. The circuit is housed in a rugged belt-clip case, which suits players who keep the preamp on a strap or belt rather than a pedalboard.
Is the K&K Sound Pure Preamp analog?
Yes. The maker lists the Pure Preamp as an analog circuit. It is a clean, low-noise design with three-band EQ and an internal gain trim, built to boost the signal from acoustic pickups and other passive transducers.
What frequency range does the K&K Pure Preamp cover?
The maker specifies a full-range response from 10 Hz to 30 kHz, delivered by a wide-band midrange filter and high input impedance. That combination is described as especially effective with piezo pickups, which need a high input impedance to sound natural.
Where is the gain trim on the K&K Pure Preamp?
The gain trim is internal rather than on the front panel. It lets you adjust the amplification from subtle to stronger boosts, so you can set the amount of gain once inside the unit and use the external controls for tone shaping.
Can the K&K Pure Preamp be worn on a belt?
Yes. The maker houses the Pure Preamp in a rugged belt-clip case, so it can be clipped to a belt or strap while playing, keeping the controls within reach without taking up room on a pedalboard.
Sources (1)
- Pure Preamp by K&K Sound, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
