The Komet OverDrive Amplifier, which Komet Amplification calls the K.O.D.A., is an "amp-in-a-box" overdrive pedal: a pedal built to put the character of a whole amplifier, preamp and power amp alike, in front of your own amp. Announced at Winter NAMM 2018, it was Komet Amplification's first pedal, and it was designed in collaboration with Scotty Smith of ProAnalog Devices1.
What it does
Komet describes the K.O.D.A. as a full-featured amp-in-a-box with a discrete preamp, an active tone control section, and a switchable power amp output stage1. The output stage can be switched on or off, and the company says each setting gives distinctive tone and response characteristics1.
Gain staging can be controlled anywhere in the circuit. Komet says that allows for anything from a fat, clean boost to edge-of-breakup overdrive to searing high-gain distortion, which puts the pedal's range across territory shared by boost pedals, overdrive pedals and distortion pedals1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hi-cut switch (three position) | Fine tunes the K.O.D.A.'s treble content to your amplifier1 |
| Output stage switch | Switches the power amp output stage on or off for distinctive tone and response characteristics1 |
The three-position hi-cut switch is aimed at matching the pedal to whatever amp it feeds, trimming treble to sit right in a given rig1.
Background
The K.O.D.A. was announced in January 2018 at Winter NAMM as Komet's first pedal1. Its design came out of a collaboration with Scotty Smith of ProAnalog Devices, and the pedal is made in the USA with top-quality parts and workmanship, according to the announcement1.
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Questions
Who designed the Komet OverDrive Amplifier?
The K.O.D.A. was designed in collaboration with Scotty Smith of ProAnalog Devices. Announced at Winter NAMM 2018, it was Komet Amplification's first pedal, marking the company's move from amplifiers into effects with a design built around a discrete preamp and a switchable output stage.
Is the Komet OverDrive Amplifier made in the USA?
Yes. According to the announcement, the K.O.D.A. is made in the USA with top-quality parts and workmanship.
What does the output stage switch do on the Komet K.O.D.A.?
The K.O.D.A. can be operated with its output stage switched on or off, giving distinctive tone and response characteristics in each mode. With the stage engaged, the pedal acts as a full amp-in-a-box design; with it off, the response changes, letting the player shape how the pedal drives the amplifier it feeds.
Sources (1)
- Komet Amplification Delivers Unique Komet OverDrive Amplifier Pedal, MusicPlayers.com, 2018-01-26
