VALCO KGB DIST JR.
The VALCO KGB DIST JR is a multi-function / tone-sculpting distortion machine, designed to work within a sound-creation chain or as a regular standalone distortion pedal (and everything in between!).
Designed to work specifically with K (keys, synths), G (guitar), and B (bass), the KGB JR Series is a scaled-back version of our main KGB Series. Here, we've dropped the Blend Fader section for those who don’t need it and would rather have a smaller footprint.
VALCO KGB DIST JR.
The Variable Input Impedance works best with passive instruments (guitar / bass) and allows tone-sculpting with or without the distortion circuit engaged. Lower settings yield softer dynamics / transients with a notable ‘rounded / vintage’ feel and tone. Higher settings give a sharper high frequency response with a more direct / aggressive transient feel and more perceived gain. This makes for a great ’shaping’ control, where you can tune the pedal for its best response to the pickups you are using and how you want them to react / feel.
MAIN FEATURES
• Variable Input Impedance Selection.
• Multi-diode Distortion featuring independent ’Op-Amp,’ ‘LED’, ‘Silicon’ and ‘Germanium’ circuits.
CONTROLS
•Impedance Selector- Changes the input impedance value, allowing you to change the tonality of the distortion, dry signal, or any other pedal down the line. Recreates lower impedance sounds of vintage pedals. Allows you to alter/tune the transient/dynamic response of your guitar and signal path.
•LINE/INST Switch - activates the Impedance Selector when set to ‘Inst’. In ‘Line’ position, impedance is fixed.
•DIST - Controls the amount of Distortion.
•FILTER - Controls the tone using a 1-pole Low Pass Filter. The lower the setting, the brighter the sound. Higher settings reduce high frequencies.
•OUTPUT - Controls the overall output volume of the Distortion section/circuit. Increased output headroom so you’ll never go unheard!
•VOICE - Selects the distortion voice.
VOICE SELECTOR
• OP - Op-Amp circuit where the distortion is generated by the LM308 itself entering clipping.
• LED - unique “soft-clipping” generated using back to back LEDs.
• Si - Silicon diode circuit using back to back silicon diodes.
• Ge - Germanium diode circuit using back to back Schottky diode.
I/O
•1/4” Input.
•Dry Out (permanent ‘thru’ dry signal (pre-imp selector)).
•1/4’ Output.
Power: The KGB Dist. JR can be powered by a standard 9V center-negative AC adapter or 9V battery.
Dimensions: 7.09" length X 4.33" width X 3.43" height (180mm X 110mm X 87 mm)
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
FURTHER INFO
The KGB Loop’s input includes a switch to select between instrument and line input levels, and a rotary selector that provides six possible input impedances ranging from 10 kilohms to 1 Megohm.
The impedance selector can be used to explore tonal possibilities by changing the impedance match to the guitar or bass’s pickups. The impedance selector is only effective when the input selector is in the “INST” position. When the “LINE” position is selected, the input impedance is 10 kilohms and the signal level is attenuated to be compatible with up to 4 dBu line input levels, suitable for use with keyboards and other line level devices.
The input signal is unity gain buffered by a low-noise audio-grade OPA1692 op amp that feeds the external pedal input through the “LP SEND” jack and the dry input to the crossfader. The “LP SEND” signal is essentially a buffered dry output.
The phase inversion switch controls a phase inversion circuit at the “LP RTN” input. This function is especially useful with delay, phase shift and distortion pedals. The phase inversion switch does not affect the dry signal to the fader and LP SEND jack.
The blend slider implements a sigmoid curve cross fader between the dry signal (as fed to the external pedal) and the (optionally phase inverted) return signal from the external pedal. The fader is based on a dual channel CMOS variable attenuator.
The blended output is amplified by a second low-noise OPA1692 audio op amp to provide variable post-fader gain of between-12 and +16 dB, controlled by the logarithmic tape “OUTPUT” potentiometer.
The KGB Loop can be powered by a conventional 9V center-negative external supply, or an internal 9V battery, accessible by rotating the quarter turn latch at the bottom front of the pedal and rotating the top panel away from the bottom.
Dimensions: 7.09" length X 5.24" width X 3.43" height (180mm X 133mm X 87 mm)