Darkglass Electronics KAAMOS Bass Distortion/Octaver Pedal - Open Box

Designed in collaboration with legendary bassist and producer Amos Heller, Kaamos blends a powerful distortion with octave-down tones.

Real-time routing controls let you shape your signal path with ease—stack effects in series for rich saturation or run them in parallel for intricate, layered textures. A movable effects loop, configurable in three distinct positions, opens up new possibilities, while a dedicated sub-octave output unlocks creative multi-amp setups. Every detail is precision-engineered to put you in complete control of your sound.

Blend

Adjusts the drive blend. Press to select the loop position.

Tone

Adjusts the drive tone. Press to select between processed signal and clean DI for the XLR out.

Drive

Adjusts the amount of distortion in the drive circuit.

Drive mod

Adjusts the blend between two distinct drive circuits (α and Ω).

Drive level

Adjusts the level of the drive circuit before the blend

Octave filter

Adjusts the lowpass filter frequency of the low octave

Press to select the type of octaver.

1. Sublime (monophonic mute-type)

2. Sublemon (monophonic flip-type)

3.Subcitri (polyphonic)

Octave level

Adjusts the low octave signal amount in the octaver circuit.

Press to select between parallel or series effect positioning.

Clean level

Adjusts the clean signal amount in the octaver circuit.

Modes

The octaver and distortion effect blocks can be configured to be either in series or in parallel by pressing the [octave level] knob. The LEDs above the knob will indicate which mode is selected.

The position of the effects loop can be configured to three different positions in the signal chain:

• After the octaver
• After the distortion
• In parallel with the signal chain

The position is selected by pressing the Blend knob and the LEDs above the know indicate the selected position.

• In the 1. position the loop is active when the octaver is active.
• In the 2. position the loop is active when the distortion is active
• In the 3. position the loop is active when either one or both of the octaver and distortion are active.

The effects loop automatically detects if nothing is plugged in and removes itself from the signal chain.

Input & Outputs

Input

Connect your instrument or output from your pedal board to the ¼” mono jack.

9V DC

Only use a regulated 9V DC adapter with a center-negative plug.

Sub

This ¼” Sub output jack provides only the low octave signal when the octaver is activated.

Output

Connect from the ¼” Output jack to the input of your amplifier or another effects pedal.

Send

Use this ¼” to send the effects loop signal to your external effects.

Return

Connect the output of the last pedal in you effects loop into this ¼” jack.

Direct output

Balanced XLR output for connecting the pedal to a microphone preamp, PA system etc.

Ground lift

Disconnects the signal ground on the Direct Output to break any ground loops. Set this switch to either position that has less noise. The switch does not affect the ¼” output.

FX Loop behaviour

Send and return

Many parameters (effect bypass, loop position, series/parallel) and their combinations affect the way the send behaves. In some cases the signal is sent out and in others it’s muted to allow smooth function of the pedal.

The return jack has a cable detector. If a cable is detected, the return signal is automatically mixed to the signal chain.

With some parameter combinations the loop might also be internally bypassed to avoid unnecessarily cutting the signal in the middle of the chain.

More detailed explanation of combinations and the Send/Return/Loop bypass behaviour below.

Series mode

Series : Loop pos 1 (Post-Oct)

• Loop bypassed when octaver bypassed
• Send muted when octaver bypassed
• Loop bypassed when return disconnected (to avoid silence)

Series : Loop pos 2 (Post-Dist)

• Loop bypassed when distortion bypassed
• Send muted when distortion bypassed
• Loop bypassed when return disconnected (to avoid silence)

Series : Loop pos 3 (Clean parallel to Oct-Dist)

• Loop muted when both effects are bypassed (to get a clean bypass signal through)
• Send is muted only if both effects are bypassed and the return is connected (above mentioned case)
• In other cases: even if return is disconnected the send stays active (can be used as for example tuner out)

Parallel mode

In Parallel mode, in all Loop positions

• Effect bypass acts as a mute to avoid a parallel clean signal

Parallel : Loop pos 1 (Post-Oct)

• Send muted when octaver muted
• Loop bypassed when return disconnected (to avoid muting the octaver)

Parallel : Loop pos 2 (Post-Dist)

• Send muted when distortion muted
• Loop bypassed when return disconnected (to avoid muting the distortion)

Parallel : Loop pos 3 (Clean parallel to Oct and Dist)

• Send is muted only if both effects are bypassed and the return is connected (global bypass)
• In other cases: even if return is disconnected the send stays active (can be used as for example tuner out)

EMC / EMI

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations.

This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.