Why the Darkglass Kaamos Is the Best Pedal for Bassists Seeking Tone Control
The Darkglass Kaamos is one of the most versatile bass pedals on the market today. Made in collaboration with Amos Heller, it combines distortion and sub-octave effects in a single pedal, giving you almost total control over your tone. In our recent demo, Reece Trevino from DeathCloud highlighted just how much flexibility this pedal offers for bassists looking to expand their sonic palette.
Darkglass Kaamos Main Features
- Dedicated Sub-Octave Output – Send just the low-octave signal to a separate amp or mixer for full tonal flexibility.
- Dual Distortion Circuits – Blend two distinct drive circuits (α and Ω) for everything from subtle grit to aggressive overdrive.
- Octaver with Filter Control – Low-pass filter adjusts the character of the sub-octave; choose between Sublime (monophonic mute), Sublemon (monophonic flip), or Subcitri (polyphonic) modes.
- Series or Parallel Signal Paths – Configure distortion and octave blocks in series for full saturation or parallel for layered textures.
- Movable Effects Loop – Place your external pedals in six different positions within the signal chain for ultimate routing flexibility.
- Blend, Tone, and Drive Controls with Secondary Functions – Pressable knobs unlock loop positioning, processed vs. clean DI selection, and series/parallel octave routing.
- Clean Level Control – Adjust the clean signal within the octave circuit to maintain clarity even with heavy drive engaged.
- Versatile Outputs – Standard ¼" output, sub-octave output, send/return for effects loop, and balanced XLR direct out with ground lift.
Kaamos features a blend knob, tone knob, octave filter, and octave level, each of which can also be pressed like a button for secondary functions. This allows you to adjust everything from the placement of the effects loop (after the octave, after the distortion, or in parallel) to selecting between different types of octave filtering, including monophonic mute, monophonic flip, and polyonic modes. The pedal also lets you decide whether the octave runs in series or parallel, giving you fine control over how the clean and distorted signals interact.
The drive section is equally detailed. Kaamos offers two distinct drive circuits, adjustable via the drive mod knob, which can be blended together for a range of tones from subtle grit to aggressive distortion. The clean signal level can also be dialed in to retain clarity while pushing the drive circuit. In the video, we demonstrate how combining the octave with the drive in parallel keeps the tone clean and balanced, perfect for recording, while using series mode gives a more powerful, saturated sound.
Another standout feature is the effects loop, which integrates seamlessly with other pedals. In the demo, we added the EarthQuaker Devices Spatial Delivery pedal to the loop, showing how Kaamos allows you to position and blend external effects either in series or parallel with the main signal chain.
With multiple outputs, including a dedicated sub-octave output and an XLR DI with ground lift, the Kaamos is ready for stage and studio alike. It reacts naturally to your playing style, whether fingerstyle, slap, or pick, ensuring every nuance is preserved.
In short, the Darkglass Kaamos is more than a distortion pedal: it's a complete bass tone-sculpting tool. For bassists seeking ultimate versatility, control, and creativity, this pedal delivers a full range of expressive possibilities.
The Darkglass Kaamos is available for purchase on DeathCloud.
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