The KSR Mystery Ceres is a preamp pedal from KSR Amps that packs the voicings of three of the company's amplifiers, the Ares, the Artemis/Gemini, and the Colossus, into a single enclosure. KSR describes it as distilling the KSR sound into a small package, with gain controls that operate as close as possible to the full size KSR amps without unwanted top-end artifacts1.
It is not a pedal you can pick up on its own. KSR sells it only alongside one of its amplifiers or power amps, and each one ships in a mystery finish chosen by Kyle from the company's stock of one-off enclosures1.
Buying one: the mystery finish and the amp requirement
The Mystery Ceres exists because KSR built up a large stock of one-off enclosures and decided to pass them along at close to cost. The finish is a surprise: Kyle picks the color, and the buyer does not know what arrives until it does. The pedal is listed at $400.00 USD with a current sale price of $349.00 USD1. Other Ceres finishes, such as the Double Splatter, have carried the same $400.00 list and $349.00 sale pricing2.
KSR states the Mystery Ceres is "Only available if you purchase a full-size amplifier, lunch box amplifier, or PA power amp at the same time!" It cannot be bought as a standalone pedal1.
Three channels and three bypass modes
The Ceres carries two integrated footswitch buttons to reach its three channels. The left footswitch toggles between Bypass and Rhythm/Lead, and the right footswitch toggles between Rhythm and Lead1. Alongside the channels, KSR includes three bypass modes: True Bypass, Buffered Bypass, and Clean Bypass. The Clean Bypass mode enables the top row of Tone and Volume knobs, giving access to the Clean channel1.
| Control | Positions | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Left footswitch | Bypass / Rhythm-Lead | Toggles between Bypass and Rhythm/Lead1 |
| Right footswitch | Rhythm / Lead | Toggles between Rhythm and Lead1 |
| Mode switch | Up / Center / Down | Up = Ares Crunch, Center = Artemis/Gemini Red Mode, Down = Colossus Lead1 |
| Bright switch | Up = On, Down = Off | Works like a typical Gain pot bright capacitor; the lower the Gain setting, the more effect1 |
| Feel switch | Up / Center / Down | Up = Fat, Center = Tight, Down = Thick1 |
The Mode switch is the heart of the pedal: it selects which KSR amplifier's character the Rhythm and Lead channels carry, drawing on the Ares, the Artemis/Gemini in Red Mode, or the Colossus1.
Running it with an amp
KSR says the preferred operating method is to run the Ceres into the input of the effects loop return of any amplifier head, or directly into a power amp. In that setup the pedal acts as the preamp, feeding the amp's power section directly1.
Power, connections and the control port
The pedal's jacks are top mounted. Looking at the front of the pedal, top-right is the external control input, then the Guitar Input, the 9V DC input, and finally the Output to amp1.
- Power: 9V DC, center negative, drawing at most 200 mA1
- Supply not included: KSR points to the high-current output of a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power, or similar1
- Protection: Do not exceed 9V, as the pedal will shut down to protect the internal electronics1
- Control port: a 3.5mm (1/8″ headphone) TRS jack for control of the pedal channels and future expansion via momentary contact closure relays1
At up to 200 mA, the Ceres needs a high-current output on a pedalboard power supply. KSR recommends a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power high-current output or similar, and warns that anything above 9V will shut the pedal down1.
Built in Cincinnati
KSR manufactures the pedal completely in its Cincinnati facility. CNC machining, powder coating, laser etching, and circuit board assembly are all performed under the company's roof, with no outsourcing1.
Related pedals
The Mystery Ceres is one variant of the Ceres platform. The standard KSR Amps KSR Ceres carries the same three-amp voicings in fixed finishes, and KSR also offers the KSR Amps KSR Ceres ONE, the KSR Amps KSR Ceres ONE Midnight Fade, and the KSR Amps KSR Ceres Swamp Thang. The company's other preamp line is represented by the KSR Amps KSR Vesta and the KSR Amps KSR Vesta Sky and Sea12.
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Questions
Can you buy the KSR Mystery Ceres by itself?
No. KSR states the Mystery Ceres is only available if you purchase a full-size amplifier, lunch box amplifier, or PA power amp at the same time. It is not offered as a standalone pedal, and the finish is a mystery color picked by Kyle from KSR's stock of one-off enclosures.
Does the KSR Mystery Ceres come with a power supply?
No, a power supply is not included. KSR says the pedal needs 9V DC, center negative, drawing at most 200 mA, and recommends the high-current output of a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power or similar. Exceeding 9V causes the pedal to shut down to protect its internal electronics.
What do the Ares Crunch and Colossus Lead modes do?
The Mode switch selects which KSR amplifier's voicing the Rhythm and Lead channels use: Up gives Ares Crunch, Center gives Artemis/Gemini Red Mode, and Down gives Colossus Lead. The pedal carries the signature tones of those three KSR amplifiers.
Can the KSR Mystery Ceres go into an amp's effects loop?
Yes. KSR says the preferred operating method is to run the Ceres into the input of the effects loop return of any amplifier head, or directly into a power amp, so it can act as the preamp stage.
Where is the KSR Mystery Ceres made?
KSR manufactures the pedal completely in its Cincinnati facility. CNC machining, powder coating, laser etching and circuit board assembly are all performed in house, with no outsourcing, according to the company.
What does the Bright switch do on the Mystery Ceres?
The Bright switch is Up for on and Down for off. KSR says it works like a typical Gain pot bright capacitor, meaning the lower the Gain setting, the more effect the switch has on the tone.
Sources (2)
- Mystery Ceres, KSR Amps (ksramps.com), 2024-11-26
- Ceres - Double Splatter - KSR Amps, KSR Amps, 2024-12-17
