• Home
  • Victory V4 'The Kraken' Preamp Pedal
Home

Victory V4 'The Kraken' Preamp Pedal

Heavy, progressive & extended range tones from VX Kraken, developed with Rabea Massaad

£449.00

Loading...

FREE UK Delivery

Free & Next Day delivery to most UK locations when spending over £149

Earn 1347 Loyalty Points

You’ll get £13.47 to spend on your next order.

Click and Collect

Available to collect by request.
Looking to try or buy at our Guildford store?
How does click and collect work at Andertons?

SKU: KRAKENPEDAL

Product Description

In its short history, Victory has become one of the UK's leading amplifier brands. Known for its portable lunchbox-style amp heads, the forward-thinking company has made its first step into the pedal world, with its V4 series of preamp pedals. 

youtube video thumbnail

The V4 Design

Taking the core sounds of its most popular amp head designs, these fully-analogue, valve-driven stompboxes from Victory can convincingly emulate their full-fledged counterparts. Powered by three CV4014 valves and a single EC900, that genuine tube amp feel and sound is captured.  

Boasting two channels and multiple controls for flexible tone-shaping, a Victory V4 Preamp pedal can become the centrepiece of your guitar rig. Enclosed within compact steel chassis', you can easily mount these potent-sounding powerhouses to your pedalboard, so that your core sounds are literally at your feet! 

Release the Kraken!

The V4 Kraken Preamp pedal is just one of the V4 models on offer from Victory, but is no doubt the most gnarly-sounding. Delivering the crushing high-gain tone of its bigger brother, you can turn your existing amp into a fire-breathing, modern metal machine.

With a tight low-end response, the V4 Kraken pedal will accentuate your picking attack to ensure a dynamic and immediate feel. Developed with Rabea Massaad (guitarist of Toska and Dorje), the heavy, percussive tones synonymous with his distinctive playing style can be attained easily, thanks to this incredible pedal.

Flexible Controls

Much like the amp version of the Kraken, the V4 Preamp pedal features a similar control set for excellent versatility. With a typical 3-band EQ section, the V4 Kraken also boasts a bright switch to tailor the top end frequencies. This means that if you're using the pedal in conjunction with a dark-sounding amplifier, you can compensate with this thoughtful addition.

With the ability to switch between two channels via a dedicated footswitch, you can set the amount of gain for each of these modes with the Vol 1 and 2 knobs. Giving you two separate voices, when running into a clean amplifier you can essentially create a 3-channel amp, with clean, rhythm and lead sounds. You can also control the volumes of these modes via the Master 1 and 2 controls, meaning that you can set one of them louder than the other for a solo boost.

youtube video thumbnail

Routing Possibilities

Speaking of amplifiers, the most noteworthy aspect of the V4's design is its ability to be used in two particular manners. The most simple way to setup the V4 Kraken Preamp pedal is to plug it directly into the front end of your amp, much like a conventional overdrive unit. Victory refer to this as 'Standalone Mode'.

While you can achieve great results that way, you can take full advantage of the pedal by routing it through your existing amplifiers's effect loop section. Bypassing you amp's preamp section, you can connect the unit straight to the power section via the effects loop return. Routed this way, when the pedal is disengaged you’re basically using your amp as normal, but when you turn the pedal on you bypass your amp’s preamp. This will give your amplifier an almost entirely new voice, character and feel, transforming the sound of your rig as a whole. This is referred as ‘Amp Through Mode’.

The jacks at the rear of the enclosure are clearly marked, to make it easy for you to set up the unit in 'Standalone' or 'Amp Through' modes. 

Remote Switch

Another feature that is worthy of note is the Remote Switch input at the side of the chassis. This allows you to flick between the V4's channels with a device like a pedal switcher, via a TRS cable. You can also turn the unit on/off thanks to the Remote Switch functionality, meaning that you can almost fully control the V4 Kraken Preamp with an external device.

Here's what Victory says about the V4 Kraken Preamp Pedal:

Two Gain Modes

Vol 1 and Vol 2 are lower and higher gain modes. They can be switched from the top panel or via the ‘remote’ TRS jack on the side of the pedal. Bypass (on/off) is switchable remotely too.

Bright Switch

Three positions, designed as a global setting to best match the V4 Pedal Preamp to your amp, because effects loops and amp front ends differ dramatically. Choose the one that sounds best.

Two Master Volumes

Set the output levels of each mode independently, to taste. Set to zero before turning on!

3-Band EQ

Powerful bass, middle and treble controls. These also have a significant effect on the gain character and drive levels – just like in any valve guitar amp.  

Protective Rail

Protection for the knobs when you’re stomping.

Connection Jacks

Clearly labelled so there is no confusion.  

Power Inlet Jack

12V DC, 800mA minimum. There are four valves, so we need plenty of current! Adapter  supplied.

Amp Through Mode

  • Amp Through Mode utilises the effects loop of a guitar amp.
  • When the pedal is ON, you’re bypassing your amp’s front end.
  • When the pedal is OFF, you’re plugged into your amp as normal.

You are adding two new ‘channels’ to your amp that are independent from your amp’s own front end. Imagine if you could feed the power section of a Fender Twin, for example, with the front end of a Countess, Sheriff or Kraken. Your single-channel workhorse becomes a three-channel monster. No FX loop? Use Standalone Mode and go straight in the front.

Specifications

  • Valves: 1 x EC900, 3 x CV4014
  • Features: Steel chassis, 2 switchable gain modes, remote TRS switching option
  • Power: 12V DC / 800mA minimum, DC adapter  supplied
  • V4 pedals run on a switch mode power supply and ship with the relevant adaptors for each territory
  • Size: 225(w) x 140(h) x 79mm(d) inc. feet & knobs
  • Weight: 1.65kg  (3.6lbs)
Elliot Stent author picture

Written by Elliot Stent

Customer Reviews

5.0

29 reviews

Value

Looks

Durability

Sound

Trusted Customer16th Jan 2024

I bought this to add a couple more channels to my Rockerverb. Sounds great through the clean channel, whether in front or through the FX loop. Gives me the perfect setup.

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr joseph Tatum2nd Jan 2024

Fabulous tones & flexibility. Very versatile & built like a tank. A welcome addition.

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr. Lee Evans14th Dec 2023

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Trusted Customer3rd Oct 2023

A really great piece of equipment. Ever wondered why pedals don't quite sound like an amp? Apart from the obvious, this Preamp shows you how to utilise your existing amp in a different way and effectively add a second head to your arsenal. Then within that there are two channels. One is a modded Marshall type amp which is punchy as hell but also cleans up really nicely. The second channel is more like a Mesa boogie, with a different gain structure to channel 1. So you have so many soundscapes covered. And all the while, I can switch back to my more old school sounding Marshall amp when I need to. It's exactly what I've been searching for in my pedal board quest.

Value 5Looks 4Durability 5Sound 5

Trusted Customer30th Oct 2021

Well made, easy controls, excellent tone. Like having a second amp. Easy to dial in and each channel has its own tone.

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr Andrew Laws16th Sep 2021

Full throttle face melting wonder stuff!

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Mr Mike Britton4th Aug 2021

Value 4Looks 5Durability 4Sound 5

Trusted Customer26th Jul 2021

Value 4Looks 5Durability 4Sound 5

Mr Carl Hallcro24th Jul 2021

Awesome..................no other words needed.

Value 5Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

J S18th Jul 2021

Value 4Looks 5Durability 5Sound 5

Finance Options

Select deposit amount

0% = £0.00

Total amount payable £0.00. APR representative. Finance is subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.

Total Cash Price
£0.00
Deposit
£0.00
Amount of Credit
£0.00
Duration of Agreement
0 Months
0 Monthly Repayments
£0.00
Cost of Credit
£0.00
APR Representative
0%
Annual Rate of Interest (Fixed)
0%
Settlement Fee
£0.00
Total Amount Payable

£0.00

How do I use instant finance?

It's simple! Just add the products you want to your basket and click the "Checkout" button in your basket. Go through the checkout process and tick the "Finance" option under "Select Your Payment Method". You can then choose which finance term you'd like to apply for, and change your deposit if you wish.

At the end of the checkout you'll be taken to the V12 Finance web site. This is where your finance application is processed. Assuming your application is accepted you'll be able to place your deposit and confirm your order right there.

Then, your order will come through to Andertons and we'll send you the goods. Get approval before 3pm and we'll send your order out the same working day (stock permitting) for next working day delivery!

Who can apply for finance?

You must: spend over £300, be at least 18 years of age, have been a UK resident for 3 years or more, be able to make repayments by Direct Debit, be in regular employment (minimum of 16 hours per week) including self-employment, or in permanent residence with your partner who is in regular employment.

Read More About Online Finance

Andertons Music Company's Registered Office: 58-59 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 4RF. Andertons Music Company acts as a credit broker and not a lender and only offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance. Not all products offered by Secure Trust Bank PLC are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Andertons Music Company is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm registration number 716155. Credit provided subject to age and status.