RIDGE: the first Augmented Analog overdrive pedal.

WE INVENTED AUGMENTED ANALOG

Analog Morphing Core is the name of a new and unique patented approach to electronic clipping circuits developed by Kernom. An Analog Morphing Core equipped device, like the RIDGE, controls the nonlinear elements of the clipping stage (traditionally diodes) by changing in real time their threshold, making them behave like a new kind of diode.

It allows musicians to have access to a virtually infinite number of clipping options: symmetric, asymmetric, high headroom, very compressed, etc. in a single analog circuit, controlled by the unique Mood knob. Completely different from approaches such as modeling and switches between different diodes.

The result is an extremely versatile and unique analog circuit. 

Analog, Augmented.

Use the mood knob to select from the ultimate clean boost to a fully compressed overdriven sound. Ever dreamed of a heavily distorted sound, that would still react to your playing?

Symmetric, asymmetric, high headroom, compressed … you decide.

A never-ending journey through overdrive sound flavors.

Choose between ultimate transparency at any grit level with the three EQ knobs at noon, or colour your sound using the powerful EQ section.

Change the way the pedal reacts to your guitar with the PRE knob, how it interacts with your amp with the POST knob, how you cut through or blend in the mix with the MID knob. 

Punish the front end of your amp like never before thanks to the 30V maximum output voltage of the RIDGE and experience extreme dynamics.

Here are some samples of how the RIDGE sounds. Just to make you wait until you get yours.

Connect the RIDGE to your expression pedal and explore new possibilities. 

Adjust drive level, boost your mids, or blend two completely different tones together. The possibilities are endless.

The RIDGE features an internal preset that can be used without the need to use an external device, accessible via the Preset footswitch. Rhythm and lead tone, clean and dirty, or any other combination: you have access to two sounds at any time. Simply hold the Preset footswitch for 2 seconds and save the current position of the knobs for later use.

The RIDGE is entirely MIDI compatible. You can plug an external MIDI switcher to the RIDGE via mini jack to save and recall up to 128 different presets and cover all your overdrive needs. 

You can also connect the RIDGE to a third party controller (like the incredible Erae Touch from our friends at EMBODME) and change in real time its internal parameters to explore new ways to interact with overdrive.

You can use all your instruments with The RIDGE: guitar, but also bass, synths and vocals. This is made possible thanks to the pedal’s adaptive input gain. You can choose between instrument level or line level at any time to use the RIDGE on all your tracks.

We showed the RIDGE to professional musicians. Here is what they had to say about it!

“Want endless overdrive flavours from an analog circuit? This new pedal from the French startup aims to provide just that”

“…the Kernom products are being made in a state-of-the-art factory in France that works on medical projects, so I’m expecting great build quality.”

 ” …this control could give you access to symmetric, asymmetric, high headroom, and compressed drive tones. That’s a lot of useful overdrive tones in one pedal.”

“RIDGE can provide unlimited clipping options and operate within 30V to obtain greater headroom.”

“Le nom de cette très, très jeune entreprise innovante française pourrait vite entrer au panthéon d’une foule de musiciens à l’affût de solutions et matériels susceptibles de leur ouvrir de nouveaux champs de créativité.”

“La marque française Kernom fait une entrée en fanfare dans le monde des effets avec la Ridge, une pédale d’overdrive augmentée.”

“Unlimited clipping options in one analogue circuit”

The RIDGE comes in a vibrant and iconic color called Summit White. White is the sum of all colors, just like the RIDGE can deliver all the flavors of overdrive we all know and love.

To celebrate the launch of the RIDGE on Kickstarter we also created an exclusive dark red finish that reacts beautifully to different lighting setups, going from a beautiful brown to a deep blood red. We called it Blood Rust. The Blood Rust RIDGE will only be available to Kickstarter backers. Grab one while you can!

The casing was inspired by the architectural design language of modernism. It has a strong personality, but remains easy to operate. Every detail on the Ridge was a conscious decision. We started from a blank page to design an iconic product that would withstand the hardships of the road and decades of abuse.

Kernom aims at providing musicians with the most reliable and performant products possible.