The KMA Machines QUEEQUEG 2 is an analog sub octave pedal: it generates one or two octaves below whatever you play and blends them with your clean signal. KMA describes its range as running from "subtle tone thickening, to huge faux bass-synth sounds," which is the practical appeal of an octave-down box for a guitarist or bassist who wants synth-like low end without a synth1.
It is version two of the original Queequeg, which KMA released in 20161. Announced in April 2022, the update was "tweaked, made smaller and refined," with top mounted jacks, relay-based soft switching and, the big change, a second sub octave2. MusicRadar reported it available at launch, priced at £129 in the UK3.
Two analog sub octaves under your signal
The core of the pedal is KMA's custom all-analog circuit design with two "ultra-fast tracking analog mono sub octaves"1. Because the octaves are analog and monophonic, the tracking is aimed at single-note lines rather than chords, the usual behavior of analog octave-down circuits. Delicious Audio notes the new version "adds an additional sub-octave (accessible through the central toggle switch)" over the original, which had only one4.
The three modes give the pedal its range, and KMA describes what each is for1:
| Mode | Octave | KMA's description |
|---|---|---|
| -I | One octave down | "for synthy sub-octave sounds" |
| -II | Two octaves down | "for truly earth-shattering lows" |
| -I/-II | Both together | "for a massive wall of sound sub tones" |
Gearnews summed up the offering as "one octave down, two octaves down and both together," with the second octave and the ability to switch and mix between them being what is new over the 2016 pedal21.
The controls: MIX knob and mode toggle
The interface is deliberately minimal: one knob and one toggle. The MIX knob is an "easy-to-use one knob MIX design" that controls the clean/sub-octave blend1. Delicious Audio describes its sweep as going "from completely clean on the left to 100% suboctave on the right," so at one extreme you hear only your dry signal and at the other only the generated low end4. Gearnews makes the same point: dial the knob all the way up and "you will just get the low" octave effect with zero dry signal2.
The octave selection is a mini toggle below the Mix knob2. MusicRadar describes it as selecting "either sub-octave individually, or both at once"3, and Delicious Audio confirms it is a 3-way switch covering the original voice (-I), the new one (-II), or both mixed together (-I/-II)4.
That is the whole control surface, which makes the pedal quick to dial in: pick your octave or octaves, then set how much of them sit under your clean signal134.
Power, bypass and size
Power comes from a standard 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm barrel, center negative, and KMA lists the maximum current draw as more than 60mA1. The supply is optional in KMA's wording, and there is no battery option in the specifications, so this is a pedalboard power supply pedal.
The 2.1mm center negative plug is the common standard on pedalboard power supplies, but check your supply's polarity and current capacity before plugging in; the pedal draws more than 60mA at maximum.
KMA lists the bypass as true bypass1, and both Delicious Audio and Gearnews describe the switching as relay-based soft switching, meaning the footswitch engages the effect electronically rather than with a hard mechanical click42.
The enclosure is compact: 60mm high, 74mm wide and 128mm deep (2.36 x 2.91 x 5.04 inches), weighing 350g (12.35 oz)1. MusicRadar notes the pedal is handmade in Germany3.
Where it came from
KMA Machines released the original QUEEQUEG in 20161. The 2022 revision made the box smaller, moved the jacks to the top, added relay-based soft switching and added the second sub octave2. KMA also builds other octave pedals, including the Moai Maea, an analog octaver with additional features, and the Mandrake Octo-Shrieker, an octave-up fuzz. For more on the category, see octave and pitch pedals.
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Questions
Is the KMA Machines Queequeg 2 true bypass?
Yes. KMA lists the pedal as true bypass, and press coverage of the 2022 release describes relay-based soft switching, so the footswitch engages the effect without a hard mechanical click while keeping the bypass path out of the circuit when the pedal is off.
What power supply does the Queequeg 2 need?
A standard 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm barrel plug, center negative. KMA lists the maximum current draw as more than 60mA, so a typical pedalboard power supply output will run it. The supply is optional, meaning the pedal does not take a battery.
Does the Queequeg 2 track chords?
The sub octaves are analog and monophonic, like most analog octave-down circuits. That means the tracking is built for single notes rather than chords; the maker describes the two sub octaves as ultra-fast tracking for single-note playing.
How big is the Queequeg 2?
KMA lists the enclosure at 60mm high, 74mm wide and 128mm deep, about 2.36 by 2.91 by 5.04 inches, with a weight of 350g, about 12.35 ounces. It is a compact box that fits easily on a small pedalboard.
Where is the Queequeg 2 made?
It is handmade in Germany. KMA Machines is a Berlin-based builder, and the Queequeg 2 was announced in April 2022 as a smaller, refined version two of the original Queequeg, which dates back to 2016.
Sources (4)
- QUEEQUEG 2, KMA Machines
- KMA Machines Queequeg 2 Sub Generator: Analogue Octaver, gearnews.com, 2022-04-07
- KMA Machines unveils Queequeg 2 Sub Generator, MusicRadar, 2022-04-07
- KMA Machines Queequeg 2 Subgenerator, Delicious Audio, 2022-04-07
