The Victory V4 The Kraken Pedal Preamp is a two-channel, all-valve preamp in a pedal enclosure, developed in collaboration with UK guitarist Rabea Massaad and built with heavy, progressive and extended-range overdrive tones in mind1. It carries four valves running at high plate voltage, one EC900 and three CV4014s, in an all-valve signal path1. Like the rest of Victory's V4 series, it is designed to bypass an existing amp's preamp section and feed the power section directly through the effects return or power amp input2.
The V4 series pedal preamps have been officially released3. The Kraken model was created with heavy, progressive and extended-range overdrive tones in mind134.
What it is and what it does
The Kraken V4 puts a full valve preamp circuit in a pedal box, so a player can carry their core tone and plug it into any amp with an effects loop, or run it standalone into a speaker-simulated setup. Guitar World's launch coverage described the V4 pedals as two-channel preamps with four valves running at full plate voltage, designed to bypass existing amps' preamp sections and go straight to the power section via the effects return or power amp in2.
Brian Johnston's guest review at Pedal of the Day found the valve count mattered in practice6:
"The four valves running the Kraken V4 produces a rich tone and quality that I have not heard through other preamps or digital mimicking."6
He also found it takes pedals in front of it well, writing that "this extraordinary preamp accepts pedals without reservation and better than other preamps I've tested"6.
The controls and channels
The pedal has two channels, Gain 1 and Gain 2, each with its own Gain and Master Volume control, while both channels share a single EQ16. Pete Thorn's demo video walks through the layout, with gain and master volume per channel, which he labels the green and red channels7.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain 1 / Gain 2 | Two channels: Gain 1 is a slightly looser, more vintage British-inspired gain sound; Gain 2 is tighter in the bass with a more cutting midrange and more drive1 |
| Master Volume (per channel) | Independent output level for each channel17 |
| Bass, Middle, Treble | Shared three-band EQ; the controls also have a significant effect on gain character and drive levels1 |
| Bright switch | Global tone control that optimizes the pedal for what you are plugging into1 |
Johnston's review characterized the two channels in playing terms: Channel 2 "has more gain, but with tighter bass and a more biting mid-range (fantastic for chugging and lead playing)"6.
How to connect it: Amp Through Mode and Standalone
There are two ways to use the Kraken V46:
- Amp Through Mode: recommended by Victory for full functionality, where you choose to use your amp's own front end or the V4 preamp via the amp's effects loop1.
- Standalone mode: for using it as a normal pedal, or when your amp has no effects loop1.
Johnston noted that although it is a pedal, the Kraken V4 was designed primarily to be integrated into an amp's effects loop, but that it works both ways: "it can be a standalone unit (on your pedal board) or used with your current amp in the effects loop"6. He personally used it as a standalone, going into an Axe-Fx II for speaker simulation6.
Remote switching
A TRS jack on the side gives remote switching of both on/off and channel 1/2, using either a two-button latching footswitch or a programmable switching unit1. Johnston pointed out that remote switching is required if you have the Kraken V4 mounted atop your amp rather than on your pedalboard6. In his demo video, Pete Thorn highlighted the practical benefit:
"there's also a remote switch Jack on the side here that's a great feature because maybe you want to leave this back by your"7
Pete Thorn's demo covers the channels, controls and Amp Through Mode of both the Kraken and the Countess V4 pedals7.
Power
The Kraken V4 runs on 12 volts and comes with its own 2-amp 12-volt adapter, including plug ends to accommodate different countries' outlets6. MusicRadar's coverage of the V4 series describes the included supply as a 12V power supply providing 800mA3. The two figures differ between sources, but both agree it is a dedicated 12V supply rather than a standard pedalboard power feed.
The Kraken V4 does not run on a typical pedalboard power feed. It needs its 12V adapter, so plan power accordingly if you are building it into a board.
Build and design
The pedal is built into a folded steel chassis with a kick bar protecting the knobs, which Delicious Audio described as ready for the road1. Johnston's review adds that it uses an all-steel chassis held together with high-torque 8-blade Posidrive screws and machine bolts6. The circuit is the work of Victory's chief engineer, Martin Kidd, whose design Johnston called "unique to Victory Amps and its chief engineer, Martin Kidd"6.
The V4 series and how the Kraken differs
The V4 series launched in September 2018 as three two-channel, all-valve pedal preamps: the Kraken, the Sheriff and the Countess23. All share the same format, four valves at full plate voltage and the two-channel layout3. The difference is voicing: the Kraken, developed with Rabea Massaad, is the high-gain model aimed at heavy, progressive and extended-range players1, while the Sheriff carries Victory's other voicing in the same pedal format, as does the Countess. The series later grew with the Victory V4 The Copper, a pedal version of the VC35 amp head, and Victory also offers a compact single-pedal version of the Kraken circuit in the Victory V1 The Kraken.
Who uses it
Zach Comtois is listed among Victory's V4 Kraken players, and described it in Victory's artist pages8:
"The V4 Kraken is my favorite grab and go rig. It's like having two huge, high gain amp stacks in a compact package."8
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Sweetwater
Victory Amplifiers
Questions
What power supply does the Kraken use?
It runs on 12 volts. The pedal ships with its own 12-volt adapter rated at 2 amps, with interchangeable plug ends for different countries, so it does not run on a standard 9V pedal supply. MusicRadar's coverage of the V4 series describes the included supply as 12V providing 800mA, so the two figures differ; either way it is a dedicated supply rather than a daisy-chain item.
Can the Kraken run through an amp's effects loop?
Yes. Victory recommends Amp Through Mode for full functionality, where you choose between your amp's own front end and the V4 preamp via the amp's effects loop. If your amp has no loop, or you want to use it as a normal pedal, Standalone mode covers that. Brian Johnston's review notes it was designed primarily to be integrated into an amp's effects loop.
What is the difference between the Kraken, the Countess and the Sheriff?
All three are two-channel, four-valve V4 series pedal preamps from Victory, but each voices its channels differently. The Kraken, developed with Rabea Massaad, is aimed at heavy, progressive and extended-range overdrive tones, with a looser vintage-style Gain 1 and a tighter, more cutting Gain 2. The Sheriff and Countess carry Victory's other amp voicings in the same format.
Can the Kraken be switched remotely?
Yes. A TRS jack on the side allows remote switching of both on/off and channel 1/2, using either a two-button latching footswitch or a programmable switching unit. Pete Thorn's demo highlights this as a way to leave the pedal back by the amplifier without long cables running to the pedalboard.
Sources (8)
- Victory The Kraken V4 Preamp Pedal, Delicious Audio, 2021-10-18
- Victory Announces Three New All-Valve Pedal Preamps, Guitar World, 2018-09-10
- Victory unveils all-valve V4 Series Pedal Preamps, MusicRadar, 2018-09-03
- Danny Gill, Victory Amps
- Victory V4 The Copper preamp pedal review, MusicRadar, 2021-03-24
- Guest Review: Victory Amps V4 The Kraken Preamp, Pedal of the Day, 2019-03-30
- VICTORY V4 TUBE PREAMP PEDALS, youtube.com, 2019-04-06
- Zach Comtois, Victory Amps (www.victoryamps.com), 2021-11-05
