The KSR Hera is a transparent boost pedal with a built-in 3-band active EQ, made by KSR Amps. Where many boost pedals simply push an amp harder, the Hera adds Bass, Mid and Treble controls for what the maker calls "precision sculpting," so a player can shape the boosted signal rather than only making it louder1.
KSR Amps designed the Hera to push any amp with more typical standard tunings. The maker describes it as much more transparent than its sibling, with a low end that is full yet clear, and says it can boost a clean amp without overdrive, add a little grit, or add distortion depending on how it is set1.
Where the Hera sits in a rig
KSR Amps says the Hera works in two places. In front of an amp, it adds volume or grit to a clean or crunch channel. In the amp's effects loop, it produces what the maker calls unique boosting and EQ response changes, since the EQ then acts on the whole preamp signal rather than the guitar's raw output2.
The Hera can also be placed before or after the KSR Ceres or Vesta, KSR's other pedals, so a player running one of those can choose whether the Hera's boost and EQ hit them first or last in the chain2.
The controls
The Hera has five knobs and two three-position switches12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Sets the boost amount. KSR says to start at noon; the switches lose effectiveness the lower it is set. Higher settings with a cranked Level add internal distortion in the last gain stage2 |
| Bass | Part of the 3-band active EQ2 |
| Mid | Part of the 3-band active EQ2 |
| Treble | Part of the 3-band active EQ2 |
| Level | Sets output volume. Higher settings can generate internal distortion in the last gain stage and slam the amp's front end2 |
| Mode switch | Clean / dirt / clip23 |
| Feel switch | Tight / fat / thick23 |
The Mode switch selects the pedal's character, from clean through dirt to clip, while the Feel switch changes how the low end sits, from tight through fat to thick23.
KSR Amps is explicit that the Hera is not a Tube Screamer style boost and should not be set up like one. Instead of the common TS approach of cranking the Level and cutting the Gain, the maker says to start with Gain and Level both at noon, because the Feel and Mode switches lose effectiveness the lower the Gain control is set1.
Hera versus Eros
The Hera's closest relative in the KSR lineup is the KSR Eros Boost + EQ. The two are designed for different jobs. Where the Eros was designed for playing drop-tuned extended range guitar into the muddiest of amps, the Hera is designed to push any amp with more typical standard tunings3.
In the maker's words, the Hera is much more transparent, with a low end that is full yet clear. A player in a drop-tuned band fighting a muddy amp is the Eros's customer; a player in standard tuning who wants a clean volume push with EQ is the Hera's13.
Power and buying
The Hera runs on 9V DC with an internal booster and draws at least 100 mA. KSR Amps recommends a 9V, center negative, 500 mA compatible power supply for all its pedals, and the power supply is not included with the pedal12.
The standard Hera lists at $229.99 USD1. KSR has also sold limited versions: a "Mystery Hera" in one-off enclosures with the color picked by Kyle, offered at $189.00 and only available alongside an amplifier purchase, and a Hera in a Blueberry finish with white knobs23.
The one-off Mystery Hera enclosures were only available if purchased at the same time as a full-size amplifier, lunch box amplifier, or PA power amp from KSR Amps2.
Videos
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TONE WARS
Questions
Is the KSR Hera a Tube Screamer style boost?
No. KSR Amps says the Hera is not just another TS style boost and should not be set up like one. Instead of cranking the Level and cutting the Gain, the maker recommends starting with Gain and Level both at noon, because the Feel and Mode switches lose effectiveness the lower the Gain control is set.
Can the KSR Hera go in an amp's effects loop?
Yes. KSR Amps says the Hera can be used in front of an amp to add volume or grit to a clean or crunch channel, or in the effects loop for unique boosting and EQ response changes. It can also be placed before or after the KSR Ceres or Vesta.
What power supply does the KSR Hera need?
The Hera runs on 9V DC, center negative, with an internal booster, and draws at least 100 mA. KSR Amps recommends a 9V, center negative, 500 mA compatible power supply for all its pedals. A power supply is not included with the pedal.
Does the KSR Hera come with a power supply?
No. The power supply is not included. KSR Amps points to a compatible 9V, center negative, 500 mA power supply that works with all of its pedals, which is sold separately.
What is the difference between the KSR Hera and the KSR Eros?
The Eros was designed for drop-tuned extended range guitar into the muddiest of amps, while the Hera is designed to push any amp with more typical standard tunings. KSR describes the Hera as much more transparent, with a full yet clear low end.
Sources (3)
- Hera - Transparent Boost+EQ - KSR Amps, KSR Amps, 2022-10-23
- Mystery Hera, KSR Amps (ksramps.com), 2024-11-26
- In-Stock Hera, KSR Amps (ksramps.com), 2022-11-22
