KERNOM RIDGE Analog Overdrive Pedal User Manual

v1.0 – 06/17/22

Welcome to Augmented Analog
Thank you for choosing the RIDGE as the new foundation of your tone. We hope you will have as much fun playing the RIDGE as we had designed it.
This pedal you are holding is special. It is the first augmented analog pedal in the world. Inside lies a technology allowing you to control in real-time the behavior of its key internal components.
What you will do with this technology, and how you will make this circuit sound, is entirely up to you and a product of the hours you’ll spend exploring its possibilities.
Happy inspiration!

GENERAL & SPECIFICATIONS

CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS
FRONT PANEL

ON/OFF FOOTSWITCH
Engages and disengages the effect. Step on the ON/OFF footswitch to turn the pedal on and off. True bypass via a relay when off.
PRESET FOOTSWITCH
RIDGE allows you to save and recall your favorite preset without the use of external hardware. Press and hold the footswitch to save your favorite settings. Pressing on the footswitch toggles between your favorite preset and the setting defined by the knobs’ current position.
LEDs
Indicate the functioning state of the pedal, depending on current use.

VOLUME
Defines the overall output level of the pedal. At maximum, when the pedal is set to high voltage mode, the output voltage can go up to a 30V swing (+/-15V) to push your amp to its very limits. See page 11 for instructions to enter this mode.
POST TONE
Acts after the clipping stage to precisely tailor the output sound, from fat and heavy to beautiful chime. 12’o clock is the most neutral position, depending on the chosen  MOOD setting. Turn left for more low-end, right for more presence.
PRE TONE
Acts before the clipping stage to change the way the pedal reacts to the guitar signal. 12’o clock is the most neutral position, depending on the chosen MOOD setting. Turn left for more body, right for more sparkle.
DRIVE
Controls the amount of drive in the signal. Varies depending on the selected MOOD setting. From clean to highly driven.
MID
Shapes the midrange frequencies, allowing you to control how the guitar signal sits in or cuts through the mix. Just like with the PRE and POST TONE knobs, 12’o clock is the most neutral position, depending on the chosen MOOD setting. Adjust the MID response by turning left for a more scooped sound, and right for a more cutting one.
MOOD
Defines the clipping behavior of the pedal. From ultra-high headroom soft clipping to very compressed hard clipping, and everything in between. Some settings are symmetrical,  some asymmetrical. It controls the Analog Morphing Core engine inside the pedal and is not a second drive knob: it gives its voice to the pedal and all the settings produce interesting results.

MOOD FOCUS

1. VERY CLEAN AND OPEN SOUND, NO TOO LIGHT SOFT CLIPPING
2. TRANSPARENT AND HIGHLY DYNAMIC OVERDRIVE
3. MORE PRONOUNCED, COLOURED OVERDRIVE
4. HIGH GAIN MONSTER
5. ALMOST FUZZ-LIKE CHARACTERFUL SOUNDS

The MOOD knob is the key to controlling the unique patented Analog Morphing Core technology engine within the RIDGE and to define the behavior of the pedal.
Turning the MOOD knob should be thought of as choosing a different voice for the pedal. It is in effect the same as changing overdrives for a different gain flavour.
As this knob is entirely continuous, each point on the knob’s moving range gives access to a different voice for the pedal. Either really transparent and dynamic, very grainy and compressed, or anything in between. The RIDGE is in effect hundreds of analog overdrives in one box, with a clutter-free, seamless interface. This is why we refer to it as an  “Augmented Analog” pedal: an incredible sounding analog pedal, with all the added versatility you will ever need.
To allow the user to quickly find the behavior they have in mind for the pedal, the user can use the indications given by the screen printing, dividing the MOOD into 5 “zones”  each containing dozens of different voices but sharing common characteristics:
These are general indications to simplify the first contact with the pedal, but by combining the MOOD knob with the other five knobs, the user can come up with very different ways to use the pedal. Using the last Mood zone with low drive will also provide great results, as well as using the first one with a lot of drive.

REAR PANEL

AUDIO IN
Mono audio input. Where you plug your instrument. You can toggle between the instrument and line-level input signal, following the procedure detailed on page 10.
AUDIO OUT
Mono audio output. The cable plugged here is to be connected to your next pedal or directly to your amp. You can toggle between standard and punishing voltage output levels,  following the procedure detailed on page 11.
EXP
Expression input. Allows continuous control over all knobs with your expression pedal. Use a stereo cable (not included) to connect.
MIDI IN/OUT
Fully featured MIDI input and output supporting MIDI Control Changes, Program Changes, etc. See page 13 for additional details. The RIDGE uses TRS mini-jack type A  connection for its MIDI functionalities. It is compatible with 5-pin DIN connectors with the addition of an external adaptor (not included with the pedal)

POWER
Used to power the pedal

FEATURES
True Bypass Expression input MIDI In/Out 1 Internal favorite preset 127 MIDI presets 30V output voltage swing capability Premium input stage with sensitivity adjustment Ultra-low noise output 5mm thick touring ready casin

SPECIFICATIONS
INPUT IMPEDANCE : 1Meg Ohm (Guitar mode) / 32k Ohm (Line mode) OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 100 Ohm
BYPASS SWITCHING : True Bypass (electromechanical relay switching)
DIMENSIONS: 11.2 cm deep x 16.4 cm wide x 5.2 cm tall (4.4 inches deep x 6.5 inches wide x 2 inches tall).
WEIGHT: 850 g (1,8 lbs

POWER ADAPTER REQUIREMENTS
Use an adaptor (not included) with the following rating: 9VDC center negative, 250mA minimum, 300mA or more recommended.

FIRST CONTACT WITH THE RIDGE: HOW TO DIAL IN A SOUN

The RIDGE has six knobs, allowing the user to explore a virtually infinite number of sounds and get maximum flexibility in their tone shaping. In this respect, the pedal can almost be thought of as a musical instrument.
If you feel comfortable diving right in, be our guest, explore and have fun
If you want a foolproof process to first learn the pedal, follow these easy steps:
To facilitate the first contact with the pedal, start with this position, which is the most transparent setting available in the RIDGE and should not sound different than your amp by itself:

From this neutral position:

1. First explore each EQ knob (Mid, Pre Tone, Post Tone) one after the other to hear their feet.
2. Then, you can start turning the Mood knob, which as is explained on page 5 is the central knob of the pedal, controlling the behavior of its circuit. Turning the Mood knob should be thought of as changing pedals and is heavily interactive with the Drive and Volume knobs.
3. Volume and Drive knobs function just like on any drive pedal. You might like different drive and volume configurations depending on your selected Mood position, just like you would like different settings on a transparent drive and a very colored drive for example.

Once you are familiar with the RIDGE:
Once you are comfortable with the different knobs and their specificities, when dialing a new sound:

1. Start by setting the Mood knob to define the “voice” of the pedal.
2. Then, with the three EQ knobs at noon (their most neutral position, no matter the Mood setting), adjust Drive and Volume to taste.
3. Finish by fine tuning your sound with the three EQ knobs

SETTINGS EXAMPLES

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF SETTINGS THE KERNOM TEAM PARTICULARLY LIKES. ENJOY AND EXPLORE!

SOCIAL NETWORK

USER FUNCTIONALITIES – SAVING AND RECALLING A PRESET

The RIDGE gives the user the possibility to save their favorite sound to be used at any time.
This can be used in many different ways

• As a clean boost, by saving a slightly louder version of the sound dialed in with the knobs.
• To toggle between a rhythm and a lead tone following a gain staging philosophy.
• To switch between two completely different tones, as if using two different pedals.

In order to save and recall the favorite preset, follow these simple steps:

USER FUNCTIONALITIES – MODIFYING THE FAVORITE PRESET

After recalling the Favorite preset, the position of the knobs is decorrelated with the audio.
The user might wish to modify the preset but not remember how the knobs were positioned when the preset was created.
In order to find the saved position on one or multiple knobs, follow these simple steps

USER FUNCTIONALITIES – EXTERNAL CONTROL – EXPRESSION
Using an expression pedal allows the user to morph (by interpolating values) between two different settings as if the user had 6 hands turning the knobs at the same time from one position to another.
It allows to explore new sonic landscapes and leverage the possibilities offered by the RIDGE’s internal Analog Morphing Core engine.

IMPORTANT!
When using the internal preset (via MIDI recall or by pressing the Preset footswitch), the expression pedal is inactive.

When using the pedal without its MIDI functionality, the expression pedal allows morphing between the setting indicated by the current position of the knobs and the internal favorite preset.
When using the pedal with its MIDI functionality, the expression pedal allows to morph between the setting indicated by the current position of the knobs and the saved MIDI  preset currently in use, OR to specify different settings for the heel and toe positions (see page 17).

TO USE THE EXPRESSION PEDAL:

1. Plug the expression pedal using a stereo jack cable in the dedicated expression input.
2. Morph between the sound indicated by the knobs (heel position) and the internal favorite preset (toe position).

RIDGE SETUP FUNCTIONS – MODIFY INPUT SENSITIVITY
Out of the box, the RIDGE is set to function in
GUITAR SIGNAL LEVEL
To maximize the signal-to-noise ratio, the user can tune the sensitivity of the RIDGE’s input stage to optimize the input level of the signal, either for a  guitar (maximum input level of 2Vrms, default setting) or for line-level (maximum input level of 15Vrms). If the user wants to use a keyboard or plug the RIDGE into a mixing desk: switch to high sensitivity.
In order to adjust the input level, follow steps 1 to 5:

Input sensitivity and punishing voltage (see page 11) can be defined at the same time by entering the same procedure described in steps 1 to 5 by pressing and holding the ON/OFF footswitch.

RIDGE SETUP FUNCTIONS – TRIGGER PUNISHING VOLTAGE
Out of the box, the RIDGE is set to function in NORMAL OUTPUT MODE
RIDGE gives the user the possibility to enter what Kernom calls the “Punishing Voltage” mode. In this mode, the pedal’s output amplitude can go up to +/-15V. This allows the user to experience extreme dynamics and to hit the front end of their tube amp very hard.
In order to toggle between normal and punishing voltage output, follow steps 1 to 5:
The 30V in question being alternate, this mode is completely safe since it does not provide any energy at all. At any point, the user could also re-enter the following procedure to revert to the normal mode.

Punishing voltage and input sensibility (see page 10) can be defined at the same time by entering the same procedure described in steps 1 to 5 by pressing and holding the ON/OFF footswitch.

RIDGE SETUP FUNCTIONS – FACTORY RESET
Default settings the RIDGE will be reset to are INDICATED BY SIMILAR INSERTS IN THIS MANUAL.
At any point, the user may decide to reset the RIDGE to its factory settings. This will erase all presets, and toggle all functioning modes (MIDI out/thru, MIDI channels, Input level, etc.) back to their default settings.
In order to reset to factory settings, follow steps 1 to 4

If the user has entered the reset mode by mistake and wants to exit the procedure without resetting the pedal to its factory settings, either unplug the pedal or simply follow steps 1 to 2.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITIES – MIDI FUNCTIONALITIES
MIDI INTRODUCTION

MIDI allows to further take advantage of all the possibilities given by the RIDGE’s internal technology: control the pedal with a computer, a tablet, an external controller, or switcher, the possibilities are endless.
MIDI gives the user access to up to 128 presets that can be recalled with the Program Changes (PC) messages at any point using an external MIDI switcher. This is enough to cover any kind of overdrive needs.
The use of Control Change (CC) messages, also allows the user to control all the RIDGE’s internal settings with a connected MIDI controller and to come up with unique ways to interact with the pedal.
NB: preset number 1 is the favorite preset, which can therefore be saved either by following the procedure detailed on page 9 or the one detailed on page 20.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITIES – MODIFY MIDI CHANNEL

Out of the box, the RIDGE is set to function on MIDI channel 1
In order to make sure the RIDGE will function perfectly with other devices when using MIDI, the user can at any time modify this setting to receive  MIDI messages on another channel.
In order to modify the MIDI channel of the RIDGE, follow steps 1 to 5.

MIDI channel and MIDI THRU/OUT (see page 20) can be defined at the same time by entering the same procedure described in steps 1 to 5 by pressing and holding the PRESET footswitch.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITIES – SAVING A MIDI PRESET 1/2

ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITIES – MODIFY EXPRESSION HEEL AND TOE POSITIONS USING MIDI 1/2
When using MIDI presets and an expression pedal, the user can morph between two sounds by assigning them to two positions: the heel position and toe position, controlled by the pedal as part of the preset. By default, before completing the procedure for the first time, the expression pedal morphs between the current value of the knobs and the saved MIDI preset.

 ADVANCED FUNCTIONALITIES – MODIFY EXPRESSION HEEL AND TOE POSITIONS USING MIDI 2/2

MIDI CONTROL CHANGES – INPUT & OUTPUT
The RIDGE is also able to receive MIDI Control Changes (CC) to allow the user to control it from an external device, using the following codes:

When a MIDI Control Change (CC) is sent to the RIDGE, the ON/OFF LED turns blue to indicate the pedal is currently using its MIDI functionalities.
The RIDGE is also able to send out MIDI Control Changes (CC) through its MIDI output, to control an external device.
When doing so, the value of the Control Change (CC) message being sent out is always that of the current position of each potentiometer.

MIDI CONTROL CHANGES – TOGGLE BETWEEN MIDI THRU AND MIDI OUT
Out of the box, the RIDGE is set to function on
MIDI THRU
Meaning the pedal will send out through the MIDI output the exact same MIDI messages it received through the MIDI in input.
The user can choose between this default mode, or change the setting to MIDI OUT, where output MIDI messages correspond to the current positioning of the knobs and expression input.
In order to toggle between MIDI THRU and MIDI OUT, follow steps 1 to 5:

MIDI THRU/OUT and MIDI channel (see page 14) can be defined at the same time by entering the same procedure described in steps 1 to 5 by pressing and holding the PRESET footswitch.

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