If you’re on the lookout for nice, simple, run-of-the-mill overdrive/distortion effect, today’s featured pedal is definitely NOT for you. The Kismet from Ramble FX houses everything you love about dirt pedals, from clean boost to almost heavy metal, into one enclosure, but adds a ton of options and features as well. Four presets, toggling/cycling, expression pedal control, even MIDI and more, this blue tank can easily replace a couple, if not more, effects on your pedalboard.
The top row of controls features the usual suspects: Volume, Gain and a three-band EQ with adjustments for Bass, Mids and Treble. These all do what they should, with nice broad sweeps found in each parameter. Let’s get to the fun stuff, though: first up, Presets. The Kismet features the ability to select from FOUR different presets – you set up the sound you want using the aforementioned upper parameters, use the middle toggle to select which slot you want those settings saved in, then hold the toggle to save. Done. You can also flip the Toggle/Cycle switch, and the Toggle/Cycle footswitch lets you go back and forth between live settings and a preset, for just 2 interchangeable sounds on the fly.
An expression pedal can be plugged into the Kismet as well, but it serves a different function than usual. Here, you can create 2 differing parameter settings, save one to the toe of the pedal and one to the heel, then seamlessly fade in and out of both, for a mix like no other. There’s a toggle to match the sweep of the taper as well, letting you choose either Linear for dedicated expression pedals, or Log (Logarithmic) if you’re using a Volume pedal. Want more? Use the 3.5mm TRS to 5-pin MIDI adapter to access MIDI functionality within the Kismet, expanding the memory to 100 positions, with each one capable of storing presets or expression settings.
Like we said earlier, not your normal dirt pedal, but in the best of ways. Plus, even though the presets and other functionality comes from a digital microprocessor, your signal path is 100% analog, as it should be, leaving your tone gloriously in tact when the Kismet is bypassed. Not to mention, with all the options and brilliant EQ section, the sound is phenomenal, especially when you get into preset switching within a song or melody – tons of fun and exploration to be found with this one, folks. Thanks to the crew at Ramble FX for letting us get our hands on this innovative design – be sure to check out the demo below on our YouTube channel, and hit up the Ramble FX website as soon as you’re finished!
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