Analogman KOT/POT in Effects Loop

[tedjallen]

After being on the KOT waiting list for two and a half years, my name finally made it to the top of the list a few weeks ago.  After all that time, you would think I would have made my mind up what options I wanted.

 

I know the Helix 2.8 FW is supposed to have a KOT model in it, but I don’t know what options it will provide and I think Imstill would like to get the real pedal since I’ve waited this long.

 

Im pretty sure I want to go with the high gain option on the red side, not sure about the yellow side.  I also think I want the toggle switch to be able to switch between boost/overdrive/distortion without opening the case on the red side.  I think I want the 4 jack option which would allow me to enable/disable each side of the KOT via separate effects loops in the Helix and even stack other effects in between the two sides if I found a use case.

 

Im not sure whether to give up the battery compartment for what I understand is a very good buffer.  I would appreciate any and all InOut from Helix owners that have experience with the KOT with the Helix.  My biggest questions are whether to go high gain on just the red side or both, and whether to go with the buffer instead of the battery compartment.  I don’t know if the helix has built in buffers (as many analog pedals such as delays do) that would negate the need for the buffer in the KOT.

 

Thanks,

 

Ted

[paulmphillips813]

Hi, I've been using my KOT pedal sometimes in the in/out loop (might take it off if the new version with the KOT model sounds the same, though) and it works well.  I didn't opt for the four jack option because I don't need to have another pedal in the middle.  It's an interesting idea to have the Helix allow you to select either/or but you'd have to ask yourself if you plan to have the KOT on your board (where you can just hit the buttons if that's your plan) or in a rack well behind where you are playing.  So, I guess I'm not really helping you much in that area lol.  In terms of the high gain options, I went with the high gain ONLY on the red side when I bought mine years ago.  The 'slightly less gain' on the right side works really well as a boost with a little bit of overdrive.  Nobody is going to run a boost side turned way down so going with the high gain might give you a little more flexibility. I hadn't considered that when I bought it, kind of wish I had.  I keep mine at around 1 o'clock all the time and it sounds just the way I need it.  The higher gain side sounds incredible when you have that extra boost.  The pedal is a lot like an amp - once you get the sweet spot set you'll probably almost never mess with it.  Maybe a little tone adjustment if you switch from a single coil to a hum bucker, I suppose.  One interesting note - I can get an identical tone from the Klon (compared to the KOT) that is already in the Helix. I guess those pedals must sound a lot alike.   A friend of mine who tours with major acts has both the Helix, the Klon and a KOT and he said the same thing.  He doesn't bother using anything other than his Helix anymore.  He doesn't even use amps.  His last tour grossed $266.1 million (so you can probably figure our who he's supporting, too bad he's 'only' a hired gun!) so I guess the Helix is all you really need.  I'd still buy the KOT though since it's cool and you might as well since you waited so long.