The KHDK Paranormal is a limited-edition parametric EQ overdrive pedal from KHDK, the pedal company co-founded by Kirk Hammett, built in cooperation with Gary Holt of Slayer and Exodus1. Announced in March 2019, it was designed as an always-on EQ for use on Slayer's final tour, where Holt used it in his live rig23. KHDK describes it as working like a full studio parametric EQ: if you are never happy with your amp's EQ section, the Paranormal lets you control the amp's EQ down to minute detail for what the maker calls incredible definition4.
The pedal was produced in a limited run of 250 units315, and KHDK now lists it as sold out415. It was the brand's first ever limited edition signature collaboration6.
A parametric EQ built for always-on use
A parametric EQ is different from the fixed bass and treble knobs on an amp. Instead of cutting or boosting fixed shelves, you choose a band of frequencies and then control three things about it: how much it is boosted or cut, where its center frequency sits, and how wide or narrow the band is. That is what makes it "parametric," and it is the approach a studio engineer uses on a desk.
The Paranormal applies that to a guitar rig. Gearnews described it as having control over your guitar's mids, frequency and bandwidth for dialing in the sweet spot on your guitar amp3. Because it was designed as an always-on pedal, the idea is that it sits permanently in the chain, shaping the amp's response rather than being switched in for solos or specific songs, the way a boost or drive pedal would be.
The pedal is not only an EQ. Guitar World reported that it boasts a full-studio parametric EQ as well as an overdrive circuit5, so it can add gain and sustain as well as shape frequencies.
The EQ controls
The Paranormal's front panel mixes parametric EQ controls with the more familiar tone controls of a drive pedal. KHDK says the pedal brings a wide range of EQ options with its trio of MIDS, FREQ and BANDWIDTH controls4. Guitar.com's launch coverage listed the full control set1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| MIDS | Boosts or cuts the mid band you have selected |
| FREQ | Lets you sweep the mid frequency, moving the mid control's center frequency from 30Hz to 8000Hz |
| BANDWIDTH | Sets how wide or narrow the boosted or cut mid band is |
| Bass | Manages low-end |
| Tone | Governs brightness |
| Drive | Controls the overdrive circuit, and can be dialed up for more sustain and gain |
| Volume slider | Sets output level |
| Mid slider | Mid level control |
| Bypass switch | Switches the pedal in and out |
| Internal volume trimmer | Sets overall level inside the pedal |
The FREQ range is worth noting: sweeping the mid control's center frequency from 30Hz to 8000Hz1 covers everything from low-end body through to the upper harmonics of a distorted guitar, which is the range a player would want when carving a heavy tone out of an amp.
A 250-piece Gary Holt edition and the Paranormal II
The Paranormal was offered in a limited run of 250 units5, announced on 5 March 2019 and available for pre-order at $249.995. MusicRadar reported it as available now at $249/£1952. The enclosure carries silkscreened art of a satanic cat with glowing eyes, inspired by Holt's own cat, Buffy5, and MusicRadar later noted the upside-down cross LEDs that light up in the cat's eyes6.
KHDK followed it with the Paranormal II, a second volume of the pedal. The maker says its circuit is supercharged with even more gain and an added gain control compared with the first Paranormal7. It was made in a run of 333 pieces only, each silk-screen printed with Holt-approved artwork and hand-numbered, with a certificate signed by Gary Holt7.
Both editions are closed. KHDK lists the original Paranormal and the Paranormal II as sold out7, so neither is available new from the maker.
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Questions
Who is the KHDK Paranormal designed for?
It is a Gary Holt signature pedal, designed in cooperation with the Slayer and Exodus guitarist as an always-on EQ for use on Slayer's final tour. KHDK pitched it at players who are never happy with their amp's EQ section and want studio-style control over their tone.
How many KHDK Paranormal pedals were made?
The Paranormal was produced in a limited run of 250 units, announced in March 2019. It was KHDK's first ever limited edition signature collaboration. The pedal is now sold out at the maker.
What is a parametric EQ pedal?
A parametric EQ pedal lets you shape a specific band of frequencies rather than fixed shelves. You control how much the band is boosted or cut, where its center frequency sits, and how wide or narrow the band is. On the Paranormal those three functions are the MIDS, FREQ and BANDWIDTH controls.
What is the KHDK Paranormal II?
The Paranormal II is the second volume of the pedal, a parametric EQ overdrive whose circuit KHDK says is supercharged with even more gain and an added gain control. It was made in a run of 333 pieces, each hand-numbered with a certificate signed by Gary Holt, and it too is sold out.
Is the KHDK Paranormal still available?
No. KHDK Electronics lists both the original Paranormal and the Paranormal II as sold out. The original run was 250 units and the Paranormal II run was 333 pieces, so both editions are closed.
Sources (7)
- KHDK Electronics unleashes the Paranormal, Guitar.com, 2019-03-06
- Gary Holt finds “the tone I've been searching for for 20 years” with KHDK's Paranormal parametric EQ, MusicRadar, 2019-03-05
- KHDK Electronics debuts Gary Holt signature Paranormal parametric EQ, gearnews.com, 2019-03-06
- Paranormal, KHDK Electronics
- KHDK Electronics Unveils Gary Holt Paranormal Parametric EQ Overdrive, Guitar World, 2019-03-05
- “This thing shall destroy all!” promises Gary Holt as KHDK Electronics launches the thrash legend's Mad Monarch signature preamp/drive pedal, MusicRadar, 2023-09-15
- Paranormal II, KHDK Electronics
Gary Holt
