Description

The Ridge is the overdrive pedal from the French company Kernom, equipped with technology that allows real-time control over the behavior of internal components, making it the world's first "augmented analog" overdrive pedal. This pedal is highly versatile thanks to its PRE TONE and POST TONE controls, which manage the tone before and after the clipping stage, and the innovative MOOD knob that changes the overdrive's timbre.

KERNOM RIDGE OVERDRIVE OVERVIEW

The Kernom Ridge is the first overdrive pedal to be defined as "augmented analog". This means it is an analog pedal but with controls that allow you to modify the core of the sound. The MOOD knob, a distinctive control on Kernom pedals, allows you to change the clipping type by choosing from five zones. The control is continuous, so moving the knob within each zone modifies the timbre. In addition to the classic VOLUME, MID for managing mids, and DRIVE for controlling the amount of distortion, the POST TONE and PRE TONE knobs allow for fine-tuning: the first adjusts the overall tone after the clipping stage, while the second adjusts the tone before clipping. These controls enhance the pedal's versatility. On the control panel, there are two footswitches: one to activate the pedal and one to recall a saved preset. After finding the desired sound, the preset can be saved by holding down the PRESET footswitch for two seconds. The PRESET LED will flash white to confirm the save. Releasing the switch saves the preset. Once the preset is stored, you can modify the parameters, and pressing the dedicated footswitch will recall the preset with the saved parameters. For example, the pedal can be used as a clean boost, saving a preset with a more driven sound for solos, or to switch from rhythm to lead tones, or even to have two completely different sounds, as if you had two pedals. In addition to the footswitch-recallable preset, the Kernom Ridge features MIDI, which allows you to take advantage of all the possibilities offered by the internal technology: you can control the pedal with a computer, tablet, controller, or external switch. MIDI allows you to use up to 128 presets that can be recalled with Program Changes (PC) messages with an external MIDI switcher. With Control Change (CC) messages, you can control all internal settings with a MIDI controller.

MOOD CONTROL

The MOOD control is a continuous 5-zone control that allows you to change the timbre of the overdrive by exploring different colors. Five zones are illustrated around the knob, and within each zone, the knob is sensitive to movements: this allows for precise adjustments even when using a single type of overdrive.

Zone 1 is the leftmost, while Zone 5 is the rightmost.
1. Very clean and open sound, goes from "no-clipping" to "light soft clipping."
2. Transparent and very dynamic overdrive.
3. More pronounced and colored overdrive.
4. High gain distortion.
5. Fuzz-like distortion with a lot of character.

KERNOM RIDGE OVERDRIVE CONTROLS

VOLUME: adjusts the overall volume
POST TONE: adjusts the tone after the clipping stage
PRE TONE: adjusts the tone before the clipping stage
DRIVE: controls distortion and varies based on the MOOD knob
MID: adjusts mid frequencies
MOOD: allows changing the clipping type, accessing 5 different overdrive characters
PRESET: this switch allows recalling a previously saved preset

KERNOM RIDGE OVERDRIVE REAR PANEL

AUDIO IN: mono audio input
AUDIO OUT: mono audio output
EXP: Expression input that allows connecting an expression pedal to switch to the internally saved preset; use a stereo cable
MIDI IN/OUT: MIDI in and out that support MIDI Control Change, Program Change, etc.; use TRS type A mini jacks or a 5-pin DIN connector with an adapter; manages up to 128 MIDI presets
POWER: power supply, 9V DC with a minimum of 250 mA, 300 mA or more recommended

KERNOM RIDGE OVERDRIVE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Input Impedance: 1M Ohm (Guitar Mode), 32k Ohm (Line Mode)
Output Impedance: 100 Ohm
Bypass Switching: True Bypass
Dimensions: 11.2 cm x 16.4 cm x 5.2 cm (depth x width x height)
Weight: 850 g
Construction: 5 mm thick white painted aluminum case
Usage: designed for use with guitar, bass, synths, and in the studio
MIDI Cable Requirements: use a TRS MIDI mini jack type A
Current Draw: minimum 250 mA, 300 mA or more recommended
Power Supply: use a 9V DC center negative power adapter (not included)