Been using this into a Mesa Stereo 2:90 for years. Nice having everything on my board and having the flexibility to use it into the return of any amp in a pinch.
I like how Victory also produced these with a ss power amp, as well as just the preamp. I nearly bought The Duchess (I think it was) used a while ago, but I couldn't justify buying another amp. The amount of great gear that's available these days sure does create dilemmas... there's just way too many "toys," and many of them are awesome AND affordable. ✌️🇦🇺
@@LeonTodd There used to be one of those in the UK called The Pedal Club - you paid a monthly subscription fee and you could borrow one pedal at a time, as many times as you'd like in the month. Unbelievably cool idea
I wish the Kraken heads would come with that sick artwork in front of the amp. I think if i'd buy another amp in the future, it will be a kraken. Killer tones Leon!
If you are to try the head, I would recommend the MK2 version instead of the Super Kraken (MK1). Has way more interesting features (on top of having the bass focus switch that essentially tights the bass(which was already on the Super Kraken, there’s now a presence knob with a presence shift switch and a clean channel) :)
I love my Kraken preamp. I run it 4cm with a Boss GT100 so can go into an IR pedal then PA/interface and also into a power amp/cab if I want. Green channel with boost/volume cut covers every rock need for gigging and red channel is perfect for chugging the stuff too heavy to gig but fun to play at home
LOve my Kraken preamp!!!! You can boost the green channel with TS and ....HELL is coming the only fail.....need second eq for the red channel cause it sounds different than the green Thanks Leon!!
I like the idea of these pedals as a direct box which is apparently what the new Friedman preamp pedal does. I’d be interested to hear what this sounds like direct but without the cab emulation it might not work. Still, I have my Synergy in the effects loop of my Fractal with a preamp emulation block in front of a cab block. That works well, I guess that would be the route I would take here since I’m not miking a cab. I guess I have enough options with the Synergy modules now but who knows, you never stop chasing tones…
What has turned me off Victory Amps is their inclusion of esoteric tube types, with the insistence that "We have plenty!" as though that helps end users buy replacements. The EF184 tube used in the Victory VC35 The Copper is relatively easy to find, more so than the EC900 used in all of the V4 pedals, while the CV4014 trio used in all of the V4 pedals is significantly more difficult to find-not to mention the EL86 pair used in the power amp of the Sheriff 25, which replaces the EL84s used in the discontinued Sheriff 22. The benefit of Synergy preamp modules and their chassis is that 12AX7s may well be the last tube type to cease production, while being ubiquitous in the meantime.
Sounded great! Briefly had the mk1 50w head which was really impressive considering its footprint. I liked it a lot but I liked money that can be used to purchase goods and services more
Okay, look... I genuinely, objectively appreciate your gear demos. They are a fantastic source of data for me regarding gear that I'm curious about and/or might purchase... ...but I must confess, a noticeable portion of my enjoyment is also in hearing you play through songs & riffs, jamming along with you. \,,,/
Hell yeah, still love my original v1 Kraken preamp... they sound super punchy and articulate considering just how many oodles of gain are on tap... really tight sounding gain structure. Always thought it felt more like having two actual different amps at your disposal as opposed to two channels on an amp... pretty interesting for layering and using as a recording tool though...
As much as i like the kraken, I have a dream idea of taking the whole ultimate 80s rack via pedals thing and adding the sheriff preamp for hotrodded marshall stuff into a jazz chorus so you could get basically every 80s tone you could wish for.
Sounds glorious, these little preamps in a pedal that have popped up over the last couple years have been some quality stuff and getting better every new release. I hated the Mesa preamp pedal (who didn't?) but now it's hard to find preamp pedals that are that shoddy. And affordable, my head spins, I want them all.
Kraken cracken , lupin heard this and immedialely grabbed you a fat cigar before the high gain comes in over the marshall tones, .. got to hand it to krakken ....name matched well with the sound ... But you did all of that by crackin superb Mate. super cracken pedal ... Classic marshall meets modern chunky tight EQ .. 🌏..that is distorted pretty good , makes you want this one .. im glad I got a sound but i love them all . You were cookin Leon... Nice dish of sounds you served..lupin has got to love that platter of tastys
Nice to see your thoughts on this unit. Also, unrelated, but it'd be awesome if you checked out the Luminite MIDI controllers. They seem really innovative and up this channel's alley.
Do you still haft to have an actual power amp to power a cabinet when using this straight into a cabinet. I thought this pedal had the power amp built in it
It’s a chunky boy , plugged into a valve head in 4 cable mode it sounds absolutely huge I would like to try the other model too , with the built in power amp etc
I had the exact same issue with the EQ settings between channels. Getting the red channel to sound right to me made the green channel sound not so inspiring. Ended up selling it because of that.
They really missed the chance to make the LED into the Kraken's eye.... :( also, does anybody know if they will be available again? seem to be sold out everywhere!
@@LeonTodd I'm going to try and get close with the 5150 models. Maybe I can tonematch some of Rabea's videos. Like you, he has amazing tone. That man cannot make anything sound bad.
That'spretty bloody awesome. By the way, been meaning to ask, as someone who is a die-hard Gibson player what's the feel, by comparison, of the PRS? Are they the same scale?
@@LeonTodd yeah…I must admit watching you playing yours has got me thinking about one. Thing is I really don’t like the Fender scale length, and I can’t remember how the only PRS I ever played
@@LeonTodd …bollocks (pushed the wrong button🤪). I played a PRS at a dealers in Bozeman, Montana, of all places, and I can’t remember if it felt Gibson-like or not.
It really sounds like a proper amp instead of a stomp box trying to sound like an amp. All those idiosyncrasies are there that I used to try and get away from but now find myself being drawn to more than ever.
Hello all, does anyone knows of its possible to use the V4 kraken preamp with an Hx Stomp and have Snapshots that change the Chambel on the V4 and add ir remove effects?
I do this with other preamps. You would need a remote switcher like Voodoo Labs Commander. Then using the lightning bolts in command center to send a midi PC change on snapshot change.
@@williamphillips24 There's an "optimal" time you should release yt worldwide going by statistics. That's why you see an influx in your feed every day at a certain time. Ofc releasing when others don't can give you an advantage also.
Yeah I play around with it a bit but it seems 5pm WA time/7pm Australian Eastern states works out ok as it's morning in Europe and then an influx of the USA viewers pop in after a few hours
Been using this into a Mesa Stereo 2:90 for years. Nice having everything on my board and having the flexibility to use it into the return of any amp in a pinch.
I like how Victory also produced these with a ss power amp, as well as just the preamp. I nearly bought The Duchess (I think it was) used a while ago, but I couldn't justify buying another amp. The amount of great gear that's available these days sure does create dilemmas... there's just way too many "toys," and many of them are awesome AND affordable. ✌️🇦🇺
Yeah there needs to be a local "gear library" for stuff like this. Pay for a membership and get access to stuff for a few weeks.
@@LeonTodd There used to be one of those in the UK called The Pedal Club - you paid a monthly subscription fee and you could borrow one pedal at a time, as many times as you'd like in the month. Unbelievably cool idea
I wish the Kraken heads would come with that sick artwork in front of the amp. I think if i'd buy another amp in the future, it will be a kraken. Killer tones Leon!
If you are to try the head, I would recommend the MK2 version instead of the Super Kraken (MK1). Has way more interesting features (on top of having the bass focus switch that essentially tights the bass(which was already on the Super Kraken, there’s now a presence knob with a presence shift switch and a clean channel) :)
I love my Kraken preamp. I run it 4cm with a Boss GT100 so can go into an IR pedal then PA/interface and also into a power amp/cab if I want. Green channel with boost/volume cut covers every rock need for gigging and red channel is perfect for chugging the stuff too heavy to gig but fun to play at home
LOve my Kraken preamp!!!!
You can boost the green channel with TS and ....HELL is coming
the only fail.....need second eq for the red channel cause it sounds different than the green
Thanks Leon!!
Just like the cuthulu graphic... that thing is a Monster! Yea that little bar to prevent ya hitting the controls is neat.
I like the idea of these pedals as a direct box which is apparently what the new Friedman preamp pedal does. I’d be interested to hear what this sounds like direct but without the cab emulation it might not work. Still, I have my Synergy in the effects loop of my Fractal with a preamp emulation block in front of a cab block. That works well, I guess that would be the route I would take here since I’m not miking a cab. I guess I have enough options with the Synergy modules now but who knows, you never stop chasing tones…
What has turned me off Victory Amps is their inclusion of esoteric tube types, with the insistence that "We have plenty!" as though that helps end users buy replacements. The EF184 tube used in the Victory VC35 The Copper is relatively easy to find, more so than the EC900 used in all of the V4 pedals, while the CV4014 trio used in all of the V4 pedals is significantly more difficult to find-not to mention the EL86 pair used in the power amp of the Sheriff 25, which replaces the EL84s used in the discontinued Sheriff 22. The benefit of Synergy preamp modules and their chassis is that 12AX7s may well be the last tube type to cease production, while being ubiquitous in the meantime.
Just want to say thanks for those custom IRs. They are my go to sounds in my valeton modeler
Awesome to hear!
Sounded great! Briefly had the mk1 50w head which was really impressive considering its footprint. I liked it a lot but I liked money that can be used to purchase goods and services more
"oh but I wanted a peanut" - H Simpson
@@LeonToddOK. You win the internet today 😂
Would love to try these into the return of the Friedman IR-X so you can use the power amp simulation
Okay, look... I genuinely, objectively appreciate your gear demos. They are a fantastic source of data for me regarding gear that I'm curious about and/or might purchase...
...but I must confess, a noticeable portion of my enjoyment is also in hearing you play through songs & riffs, jamming along with you. \,,,/
Much appreciated!
Hell yeah, still love my original v1 Kraken preamp... they sound super punchy and articulate considering just how many oodles of gain are on tap... really tight sounding gain structure. Always thought it felt more like having two actual different amps at your disposal as opposed to two channels on an amp... pretty interesting for layering and using as a recording tool though...
Very well put together hey
Sounds killer mate! Just got the mk2 head and killer. Surprised how versatile it is too
Nice work brother! Sounded great
Thanks a lot!
It sounds great. I'd love to see that in a rack format.
As much as i like the kraken, I have a dream idea of taking the whole ultimate 80s rack via pedals thing and adding the sheriff preamp for hotrodded marshall stuff into a jazz chorus so you could get basically every 80s tone you could wish for.
Sounds glorious, these little preamps in a pedal that have popped up over the last couple years have been some quality stuff and getting better every new release.
I hated the Mesa preamp pedal (who didn't?) but now it's hard to find preamp pedals that are that shoddy.
And affordable, my head spins, I want them all.
Ah the V-Twin? Always been curious to try one of those
@@LeonTodd Yeah, that one, give it a look but I think you'll agree it is underwhelming in comparison.
Kraken cracken , lupin heard this and immedialely grabbed you a fat cigar before the high gain comes in over the marshall tones, .. got to hand it to krakken ....name matched well with the sound ... But you did all of that by crackin superb Mate. super cracken pedal ... Classic marshall meets modern chunky tight EQ .. 🌏..that is distorted pretty good , makes you want this one .. im glad I got a sound but i love them all . You were cookin Leon... Nice dish of sounds you served..lupin has got to love that platter of tastys
BRILLIANT...!!!
I have this,and it sounds better through a tube power amp and using the 4 cable method.
I use this one and the Copper V4 with the Fryett Power Station as a Tube Power Amp and is really really Awesome. Like you said sound way more brutal 💪
Sounds killer
Nice to see your thoughts on this unit. Also, unrelated, but it'd be awesome if you checked out the Luminite MIDI controllers. They seem really innovative and up this channel's alley.
They look fantastic!
Do you still haft to have an actual power amp to power a cabinet when using this straight into a cabinet. I thought this pedal had the power amp built in it
@LeonTodd... Would love to see you review the Victory V4 SS Amp Pedals, any or all & how you would use them live!
Thx for the great content!
They look awesome!
It’s a chunky boy , plugged into a valve head in 4 cable mode it sounds absolutely huge
I would like to try the other model too , with the built in power amp etc
That's cool they make a version which is an entire amp!
Ah! can you review Victory's "The Jack" pedal as well? Thanks!
An A$$ kicker of a box. Nice.....
Was looking at this and the Blackjack. But went with the Friedman IR-X, just for the built in IR loader.
Are you still pleased with your IR-X?
I’m debating the exact same units 😅
I had the exact same issue with the EQ settings between channels. Getting the red channel to sound right to me made the green channel sound not so inspiring. Ended up selling it because of that.
They really missed the chance to make the LED into the Kraken's eye.... :( also, does anybody know if they will be available again? seem to be sold out everywhere!
Really hoping for a Kraken model in the Axe FX at some point. My amp GAS disappeared with the Axe, but was awoken when the Kraken came out.
I wouldn't complain!
@@LeonTodd I'm going to try and get close with the 5150 models. Maybe I can tonematch some of Rabea's videos. Like you, he has amazing tone. That man cannot make anything sound bad.
That'spretty bloody awesome. By the way, been meaning to ask, as someone who is a die-hard Gibson player what's the feel, by comparison, of the PRS? Are they the same scale?
I think the dgt is slightly longer? Bloody great guitars
@@LeonTodd yeah…I must admit watching you playing yours has got me thinking about one. Thing is I really don’t like the Fender scale length, and I can’t remember how the only PRS I ever played
@@LeonTodd …bollocks (pushed the wrong button🤪). I played a PRS at a dealers in Bozeman, Montana, of all places, and I can’t remember if it felt Gibson-like or not.
I use this with a wampler Dracarys in front with the gt1000core and my own irs sounds killer
Sweet rig!
So what you like better for brutal metal, this or the friedman irx?
Probably the IR-X with a boost
It really sounds like a proper amp instead of a stomp box trying to sound like an amp. All those idiosyncrasies are there that I used to try and get away from but now find myself being drawn to more than ever.
Absolutely
While it was nice of Victory to include the Marshall style tone, it just pales in comparison to the hi-gain side to my ears. That was just killer.
Pure Chungus
Hello all, does anyone knows of its possible to use the V4 kraken preamp with an Hx Stomp and have Snapshots that change the Chambel on the V4 and add ir remove effects?
I do this with other preamps. You would need a remote switcher like Voodoo Labs Commander. Then using the lightning bolts in command center to send a midi PC change on snapshot change.
it would be awesome if you started your videos with "scarnon cunce"
I do greet my mates like this in IRL :P
You must have a very specific audience given it seems these are always released at like 1am me time! 😆 (I should be asleep)
It would be 5pm (GMT+8) in Western Australia.
@@williamphillips24Of course! I'm a bit of an idiot. 🤦🏻♂
It's only just after 8pm where I live (NSW, Aust) so it's very convenient for me.
@@williamphillips24 There's an "optimal" time you should release yt worldwide going by statistics. That's why you see an influx in your feed every day at a certain time. Ofc releasing when others don't can give you an advantage also.
Yeah I play around with it a bit but it seems 5pm WA time/7pm Australian Eastern states works out ok as it's morning in Europe and then an influx of the USA viewers pop in after a few hours
better is nothing ! or get an real Greek Bouzouki and play