The KOMA Field Kit FX is a CV-controlled modular multi-effects processor from KOMA Elektronik. Rather than a chain of stompbox-style effects, it is a bench-style instrument: a frequency shifter, a looper, an analog spring reverb, a digital delay, a sample rate reducer and bit crusher, a four-channel VCA mixer with tone control, a four-step mini sequencer and an envelope generator, all in one unit1. Nearly everything can be steered with control voltage, which is what sets it apart from a conventional multi-effects pedal.
It grew out of the original KOMA Field Kit, an electro-acoustic workstation that KOMA successfully funded on Kickstarter the year before, which let players take sound from everyday objects2. As Robin Vincent put it on Gearnews:
"It came about as an extension for the original Field Kit but there's no reason why you can't use the Field Kit FX with a"
The Field Kit FX is sold through the KOMA website at a list price of 349,00 €3, and its manual is available from KOMA as a free PDF download3.
What it does: mixer, spring reverb, frequency shifter, delay and looper
Each section of the Field Kit FX is a self-contained block that can be patched and modulated:
| Section | What it does |
|---|---|
| 4 Channel VCA Mixer | Four channels with individual Volume and Tone controls; the Tone control is a Low/Hi Pass filter that can drastically change the sound3 |
| Analog Spring Reverb | Otto's take on classic spring reverb circuitry, with a switchable resonant low pass and bandpass filter in the audio path3 |
| Frequency Shifter | Modulates audio onto a high frequency carrier wave, filters off one sideband and demodulates using a slightly different frequency3 |
| Digital Delay | Built on the PT2399 chip, with a feedback loop you can break out via cable1 |
| Looper / SRR / Bit Crusher | Samples up to 3 seconds with unlimited overdub; SRR and Crush controls are CV modulatable3 |
| Roll-O-Decks | A multi-purpose CV generator: a 4-step mini sequencer plus an envelope generator3 |
The spring reverb and digital delay sections were designed by Otto, KOMA's designer, who tweaked known configurations of the PT2399 delay circuit into what the maker calls "a Digital Delay with KOMA character"1. The frequency shifter is the most unusual block for a guitarist used to pitch pedals: instead of shifting by musical intervals, it shifts frequency by a set amount, and the Sideband control lets you tweak the harmonic structure while the Amount control sets the shift amount3.
The looper can sample sound material up to 3 seconds in length, and you can overdub the loop without limitation3. The Roll-O-Decks section can drive the whole unit on its own: when no voltage is applied to the input, the Threshold control acts as a clock source advancing the mini sequencer1.
The controls
The front panel is organized around rotary controls, most of which accept control voltage. The CV Interface has 4 CV inputs that can be routed to 11 destinations on the Field Kit FX3, and as Gearnews noted, "There are four CV inputs which can be routing to any of the important parameters"2.
| Control | Section | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Time, Feedback | Digital Delay | Shape the delay sound; both controllable via control voltage3 |
| Gain In | Digital Delay | Feeds the signal into the delay path3 |
| Amount | Frequency Shifter | Sets the frequency shift amount3 |
| Sideband | Frequency Shifter | Tweaks the harmonic structure3 |
| Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release | Envelope Generator | Set the four phases of the envelope3 |
| Volume, Tone | Mixer channels | Per-channel level and a Low/Hi Pass filter3 |
| Master Volume | Master output | Sets the level of the Master Output3 |
| Threshold | Roll-O-Decks | Acts as a clock source advancing the mini sequencer when no input voltage is present1 |
The delay's feedback loop deserves a note. KOMA added an insert point so you can connect additional effects into the feedback chain of the digital delay using a stereo 3.5mm to two mono 3.5mm cable6. The company sells a dedicated Delay Feedback Cable for exactly this, a minijack insert cable with one 3.5mm stereo jack to two 3.5mm mono jacks6. KOMA suggests it is great for making "dark feedback" by adding a lowpass filter, or for running the delay feedback through the spring reverb or the pitch shifter6.
Eurorack compatibility and formats
The Field Kit FX is available both as an assembled unit in a wooden enclosure and as a Eurorack module1. The wooden box can also be taken apart and mounted in a Eurorack case2, and KOMA sells a dedicated Eurorack Panel that turns the Field Kit FX into a 36HP module. The panel includes the panel itself, a 10-pin Eurorack power cable and mounting material5. A Eurorack to Boxed Conversion Kit is also offered for going the other way7.
KOMA cannot ship the Field Kit FX as a DIY unit due to its complexity and bring-up process, unlike the original Field Kit, which was offered both fully assembled and as a DIY kit48.
Expansion Pack and accessories
The FX Expansion Pack adds a spring reverb tank, a delay feedback path cable, a big and a small contact microphone, a KOMA Elektronik attenuator cable and three 3.5mm patch cables172. It is not the Expansion Pack for the original Field Kit, which is a separate product7.
Every Field Kit FX order also includes a book, "Another 50 Ways To Use The Field Kit FX", which KOMA also sells separately for buyers whose copy went missing or was not part of a second-hand purchase8. A bundle combining the Field Kit, the Field Kit FX and the expansion packs is offered as well; KOMA describes the pairing as: "Use the unique ways of the Field Kit to capture and create sounds. Use the Field Kit FX to mangle and process them."9
Using it with guitar and other gear
KOMA describes the Field Kit FX as "a powerful CV-controlled effects unit for your electronic music setup" that pairs extremely well with the original Field Kit4. Its audio and CV connections are 3.5mm mini jacks rather than the quarter-inch jacks on guitar delay and reverb pedals, so a player using it with guitar needs adapter cables. The demo recordings on KOMA's product page were made with an original Field Kit, Hainbach's Toy Piano and a FolkTek Omnichord as audio sources, all recorded straight from the Field Kit FX4.
Videos
KOMA Elektronik
KOMA Elektronik
KOMA Elektronik
Questions
Is the KOMA Field Kit FX Eurorack compatible?
Yes. It is sold both as an assembled unit in a wooden enclosure and as a Eurorack module, and KOMA says the wooden box can be taken apart and mounted in a Eurorack case. A separate Eurorack Panel turns the Field Kit FX into a 36HP module and includes a 10-pin Eurorack power cable and mounting material.
What comes in the Field Kit FX Expansion Pack?
The FX Expansion Pack contains a spring reverb tank, a delay feedback path cable, a big and a small contact microphone, a KOMA Elektronik attenuator cable and three 3.5mm patch cables. This is not the Expansion Pack for the original Field Kit, which is a separate product.
Can I use the Field Kit FX with guitar?
KOMA positions the Field Kit FX as a CV-controlled effects unit for an electronic music setup that pairs extremely well with the original Field Kit. It grew out of the Field Kit, but KOMA and press coverage both note there is no reason it cannot be used with other gear. Its audio connections are 3.5mm mini jacks rather than quarter-inch guitar jacks.
What delay chip does the Field Kit FX use?
The Digital Delay section is built on the PT2399 delay chip. KOMA's designer Otto tweaked known configurations of the PT2399 circuit into what the maker calls a Digital Delay with KOMA character, with Time and Feedback controls that can both be driven by control voltage.
How long can the Field Kit FX looper record?
The looper can sample sound material up to 3 seconds in length, and you can overdub the loop without limitation. Its SRR and Crush rotary controls, which handle sample rate reduction and bit crushing, are CV modulatable.
Sources (9)
- Field Kit FX, KOMA Elektronik
- Field Kit FX: CV controlled multi effects from KOMA Elektronik, gearnews.com, 2017-10-12
- Field Kit FX, KOMA Elektronik
- Field Kit FX, KOMA Elektronik
- Field Kit FX Eurorack Panel, KOMA Elektronik
- Field Kit FX Delay Feedback Cable, KOMA Elektronik
- Field Kit FX Expansion Pack, KOMA Elektronik
- Another 50 Ways To Use The Field Kit FX, KOMA Elektronik
- Field Kit + Field Kit FX + Expansion Packs Bundle, KOMA Elektronik
