Is THIS the poor man's SOLDANO SLO100? (the naked truth!)

The SLO Distortion pedal from SOLDANO!
Today German producer Kristian Kohle (Aborted, Powerwolf, Eskimo Callboy, Hämatom, Van Canto, Emil Bulls, Benighted) checks out the brand new SUPER LEAD overdrive pedal!
We're testing this through a clean Class-D power amp and a full tube amp!
Check out the SOLDANO pedal here (affiliate link):
➡️bit.ly/3DtIr3Y
check out the BLACKSTAR AMPED 1 here (affiliate links):
EU➡️bit.ly/3Dw3VP3
US➡️imp.i114863.net/MXrKDJ
Learn how to record, mix and master heavy music in the KOHLE AUDIO KULT:
➡️www.kohleaudiokult.com/
Kristian Kohle's EMINENCE IR pack from this video (affiliate link):
➡️bit.ly/3qTmGDX
The other gear used or mentioned in this video (affiliate link):
➡️bit.ly/3Nb6kli
Get Kristian Kohle's guitar tone course here: ➡️bit.ly/3IRXK8z
Get Kristian Kohle's EMINENCE DV-77 IR pack: ➡️bit.ly/3txw6VK
Get Kristian Kohle's "Rainbows & Chainsaws" IR pack here: ➡️bit.ly/3aObS3A
Get the GRINDSTEIN plug in here: ➡️bit.ly/38Yeomu
SOCIALS:
Make sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram:
➡️ / kohlekellerstudio
➡️ / kohlekellerstudio
#metalguitar #irplayer #ratpedal #distortionpedal

[@jessemuscato]

The only review out there is so far that actually shows the true nature of what could actually occur with this pedal. Thank God you make videos. Every other video is just so damn perfect like they just released the holy angel of pedals.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Thanks! These are all sponsored videos (including this one). I haven’t watched a single other video and can only speak for myself, but in my videos you’ll always get my honest opinion.

[@danielringl8501]

Best video of that pedal so far! Really love that you took the time to actually explain the difference of going into a pre- or poweramp as this is super important for people who use pedals for their sound! The Blackstar is the real winner here, tho!

[@billyhughes9776]

Now this is how you demo a pedal like this properly. Pete Thorn's demo was great and proper as well, but you went that much further. What you put pedals through makes all the difference, as well as the speakers and guitar. So much to consider. Awesome video Kristian -- thanks! That AMPED1 is looking like it will be a part of my personal stable soon.

[@aftablateef302]

Amped 1 really surprised me with how good it sounded and all the different sounds you got. Looking forward to your dedicated video on Amped 1 😀🤘

[@KohleAudioKult]

That should happen very soon!

[@tiagoramalhais5493]

Great review showing all the options.

[@soundman1402]

I really enjoy your videos where you experiment and try things out that some of us may not have the space or other resources to do. I don't play much guitar, but still found this interesting!

[@KohleAudioKult]

Always here to help and experiment 🤘

[@DavePowell666]

Keep these Amped 1 pedalboard rig combinations coming! 😎🤘

[@KohleAudioKult]

I haven’t even done my official Amped 1 video! And I haven’t tried the Grindstein with it!

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

Thanks for demoing this the way you did. I don't play metal, but I played a Soldano years ago and wanted one since then. Due to life I only play at home and haven't space for a real amp. This seems like a great way to play around withthat Soldano sound. I might have to go into my Boss IR-200 and use the preamp sims there instead of going directly into my Torpedo CAB.

[@xRaid3n]

Wow! Idk if it's just my headphones but the SLO pedal into the clean channel sounded VERY similar to the Brunetti love this demo it was amazingly helpful and informative. Thank you!!

[@Mendelian]

Dude THAT SHIRT ❤❤❤ Europeans will know 😂

[@guitarstand]

absolutely my thoughts, first i thought evain?? and then.... :) typical Mr. Kohle. Hi from Germany :)

[@tobins6800]

Remember Evian spelled backwards is naive.

[@guitarstand]

@@tobins6800 🤣 I know

[@CarlosKTCosta]

I don’t know how to get it but I want one

[@vincentrandles8105]

Nice t-shirt!! And a proper demo!

[@AmundBlixAaeng]

The Amped 1 seems like an excellent multiuse tool, can use it as your min amp if you want to, power amp for wet/dry, standalone power amp, backup amp etc. Now I want one :)

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

As always, Great review man and well explained!

[@cmd_f5]

Lol I love your intro. So much hype haha. I think I'll be buying one of these now

[@NecropsY1]

I wanna hear the Slo 100 pedal shot out vs a Rev 3 pedal and Rev 4 pedal

[@KohleAudioKult]

Doable!

[@whatskraken3886]

@@KohleAudioKult Revv G3 is seriously great

[@EasyHeat]

Soldano is a legend. I remember playing one of the last Fender combos he designed years ago. It was a back line at an open mic night I sat in on. Not a "MeTaL" amp, but nonetheless extremely versatile and took pedals amazingly. The guy who owned it didn't even know it was Soldano designed, and I may have went full nerd on him a bit after a few beers. Haha! I'm honestly becoming more and more impressed by the Blackstar Amped-1 in the demos I've seen. Their power tube emulation seems to have greatly improved since their TVP line of solid state modeling combo amps, which weren't bad IMO. Anyway... Great content man, and that T-Shirt is MF'ing hilarious! Good stuff amigo! Cheers!

[@robertdonosobuchner3129]

Great video! Right now some really cool effects pedals are available like the chug, the kraken and others. It makes a lot of fun to play these, but often they are not really necessary if you have the right Amp. The reason I buy good pedals is, that they inspire me. Don't get me wrong, I love pedals but you have to think about if it is necessary to have a pedal on your pedal board to get the sounds you're looking for. I would use the soldano pedal for lead guitar. There are other pedals that are better for the rhythm parts, in my opinion.

[@waynegosson1793]

Great explainer ! Thanks

[@monstruonegro05]

Great, both of them!

[@ikestoddard2458]

There was discussion yesterday that the slo100 pedal had a slightly different natural compression from the Soldano SLO-100 head.

[@bryanclarke1927]

Some good points here. Still an intersting pedal that offers something a bit different distortion wise

[@thomasbaldiscola4671]

LOVE the SLO-100! I have the Neural DSP SLO-100 plugin and I use it with your "Chainsaws & Raindbows' IR pack to get all my guitar tones! YOUR IR"s RULE MY DOOOOOD!!! Keep em coming! I just recently saw the band "Gatecreeper" live the other day and their sound reminded me of your Grindy pedal! Keep up the good work! 💪💪

[@DavePowell666]

Ah yeah Gatecreeper were one of the first bands I caught at Hellfest this year...but yes man those were some infectiously heavy chainsaw grooves coming out that tent!

[@KohleAudioKult]

Gotta check them out!

[@KohleAudioKult]

I’m coming up with new IRs soon. Free for people in the Kohle Audio Kult! You better join the Kult! 😵‍💫💥

[@JimijaymesProductions]

Love this pedal from the reviews I've heard, has a nice grind to it that is the sound I like from SLO's. Would love to know more about your Fernandes guitars, I'm considering one (either a Burny or a te series with FR) either that or a PRS SE.

[@KohleAudioKult]

From what I know Fernandes is no more! Except for their custom shop in Japan. But correct me if I'm wrong!

[@slavesforging5361]

well those are both amazing products. luckily i have no need for either! whew. i get to save some money for once. lol. great video, and watching those two pedals interact was amazing. might be the first time i've really bought into the idea that a tube amp isn't necessary anymore. way to go modern tech! (but i have tube amps, so i think i'll keep using them). lol.

[@nicolasaraistrujak208]

hello Kristian! is your Ravelle Baritone or normal 24.75? Happy new year!

[@nudsh]

Great demo of the options when pairing with a flexible emulator, but you took a long road to a short conclusion. This is a 'pedal' at the end of the day, not a pre-amp and like most distortion pedals, it likes the bright grind of a clean pre-amp behind it. For me, this is the perfect pedal for someone with a single channel marshal or something like that where this would be the dirty/lead "second channel".

[@dialect64]

I am looking to build a stereo rig, and was checking out Blackstar combos. all seemed kinda wack. But these emulator pedals into a cab of my choice seems the proper option! btw, I am playing a 6 string bass (with its own fx channel) with a parallell channel thru an octave up and a separate guitar centered fx chain... going for a sorta Lightning Bolt vibe; thrashing bass n drums only!

[@jajsound]

That Brunetti sounds wicked awesome good !

[@KohleAudioKult]

Yeah! That’s a great amp and a real sleeper.

[@MoreMeRecording]

The Sinvertek n5 + 3D has been around for a *long time.* I have the limited run Titanium (all this guys pedals seem to be limited release) and loads of guys that know Soldano say its a dead ringer for the SLO-100 pre amp.

[@johnyang799]

Please try AMT pedals, D2, E2, B2, P2 etc.

[@PooNinja]

Low down on the Slo now, oooh that sweet Soldano saturation🤘🏽

[@matt926uk1]

If all you have is a fender combo and you want a high gain tone this could be a usefull pedal.

[@QuikdethDeviantart]

Beautiful Fernandez!!!

[@KohleAudioKult]

I love that guitar. I use it in pretty much all of my chugga, chugga videos

[@dmadmadmadmadma]

what about ABying it with a Soldano SLO100? And do you know those AMT pedals? They make preamp pedals of classic amps I think they have one of the SLO100

[@KohleAudioKult]

I just have an SLO60. And for some reason it sounds really bad!

[@jayseb]

Soldano fan here. With no hands on experience with this pedal (only online demos) I feel it's a bit too weak of a product for my dollars. EQ seems minimal, and honestly, the look and feel of the pedal is less than I would expect from a "Soldano" product. I think a V2 is a must in this case. But the video is on spot, just fantastic information. If you don't know much about setups watch this man 🤘🏼

[@NobodyNewsNetwork]

Is this similar in tone to the pink soldano rack mount unit? I shop for music gear with my eyes. Lol, I have always wanted that pink rack mount. 😂

[@KohleAudioKult]

Yeah right! Now I remember. That used to be really sexy back then. Can't answer the question though!

[@philippemartignier9858]

Makes me think of the high on fire sound 🤘👍🤘👍

[@DizzyKrissi]

Danke - cooler Test. Ist der Lüfter vom Blackstar wahrnehmbar/störend? Das Teil könnte man ja quasi auch als Standalone-Amp mit 2 Kanälen verwenden, oder?

[@KohleAudioKult]

Der Lüfter ist mir gar nicht aufgefallen. Ganz im Gegensatz zum Seymour Lüfter!

[@DizzyKrissi]

@@KohleAudioKult : denke mal, dass der sich erst im 20 oder 100 Watt-Betrieb bemerkbar macht. Danke für die Info.

[@MK-oz2lf]

What’s a better deal? The Synergy SLO module or the preamp pedal because in the USA for example they seem very similar in price 💡

[@KohleAudioKult]

Good question I think I would go for the Synergy module if you’re already using the system. It also gives you a second channel and real tubes!

[@berndgroters2745]

Great video, as usual! Unfortunately the pedal currently isn´t available! Hard times, man! 😂

[@KohleAudioKult]

Maybe the video was too good, haha!

[@berndgroters2745]

@@KohleAudioKult 😂😂😂👍

[@curtcogley3389]

I friggin loved the Brunetti clean channel with the pedal, although most of your tones were the shit!! Nicely done 👍

[@guitarzpt]

How's that MLC amp? Also what serial number for a mesa cabinet from 2002 2003?

[@KohleAudioKult]

The MLC amps are nice and pretty unique sounding. There will be a reamping course with the band DIETH in the KOHLE AUDIO KULT soon where we use three different MLC amps (and others). www.kohleaudiokult.com

[@CrushingAxes]

The best shirt ever! Soldanos are very cool

[@JoelCSabo]

Can we get a brief demo of this thing patched into a Grindstein with that blend function?

[@KohleAudioKult]

Good idea!

[@MetalZoned]

While I prefer the tube amp, it's also about 20x more expensive 😅 Definitely a good offering from Soldano!

[@brettcollin3693]

But the real question is will it do Zakk's "No More Tears" tone??

[@BierMeister360]

Omg, I want that tshirt. Is it available on an online shop somewhere???

[@KohleAudioKult]

Yes! The shop is called “send me to hell”

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Ummm so this video absolutely SOLD me on the Amped 1 😂 the pedals great too but that Amped 1.... Ohhh yeeeahhhhhh

[@kuyahill908]

Hold on a min ! What is that Bogner mounted in below the Brunetti ? I agree the Brunetti is the shiznett

[@kuyahill908]

And what is its purpose ?

[@KohleAudioKult]

Those are my Synergy preamps that turn my Brunetti into a 10 channel amp

[@georgyj111111]

I prefer the tightness and definition of the pedal.

[@1982studios]

Start using tones and play along with a great foundational start in the bass and drums. Give it a chance to sit within those instruments. I want to hear it in context.

[@leonidaspapanikolaou3165]

The pedal is very good.

[@SteffsGarage]

I've always found the best way to not sound like you're playing through a s***** distortion pedal is to play a great tube amp

[@jrlee243]

Just curious. How does it compare to the synergy module slo?

[@KohleAudioKult]

Interesting question: I don’t have that one anymore though!

[@jrlee243]

@Kohlekeller Studio too bad, it would be interesting to see. Not just the pre-amp section, but how they react to different power amps. Hopefully, I can get my hands on that pedal to try it out. The Diezel vh4 pedal I compared with the synergy. They both sound good. Different but good.

[@whatskraken3886]

what monitors are those in the background?

[@KohleAudioKult]

Amphions

[@joetechmatrixemail2920]

All I got from this review is grovel tones. Try adding some versatile playing styles as well as a passive pickup. Then maybe we can have a better idea of it's capabilities.

[@sheriewart8100]

You should check out the chug pedal from Solar guitars

[@KohleAudioKult]

I'll do so if Ola sends me one!

[@philippemartignier9858]

A comparison between those two would be really interesting !

[@stevehill7201]

Hold on what is the bogner doing under the Brunetti ? I agree 100% the Brunetti is the shiznett ! Seriously what is it doing mounted under there ?

[@KohleAudioKult]

Those are my Synergy preamps that turn my Brunetti into a 10 channel amp

[@91795jc]

The poor mans SLO-100 is the one that the poor man builds himself for roughly the same price as this pedal. There used to be a whole forum dedicated to SLO builds.

[@chaosandorderstudio]

I highly doubt you can build a slo 100 clone for 260 euro. Only the power and output transformers cost a lot, let alone the tubes and the wooden enclosure

[@91795jc]

@@chaosandorderstudio My bad, you're right, I somehow had a hundred euros more in mind. That's a good price for the preamp then. Still, you could at least build a poor mans SLO-50.

[@chaosandorderstudio]

On Thomann the soldano pedal it's already sold out 😅 I swear some hours ago I saw it available 😏

[@KohleAudioKult]

It was!

[@chaosandorderstudio]

@@KohleAudioKult I was about to pull the trigger on this one. Your demo and the other by Mendel are: A M A Z I N G

[@treewisemenllc7281]

Mind you, I've never personally played a Soldano amp. I know who Mike Soldano is, an his involvement in the Amp world. But for the price of them, compared to how they sound... I've never seen the appeal.

[@mimicr3y39]

Can you try out the Orange Pedal Baby 100?

[@KohleAudioKult]

You mean the only pedal they just released?

[@mimicr3y39]

@@KohleAudioKult No, the Class A/B Power Amp they released. Would be nice to hear a demo of that from you since I prefer the tones you dial in over the other youtubers out there

[@HronisArva]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BlackChromeJamTracks]

🤘🤘🤘

[@KidNato]

The pedal is almost the same price as the mini-head, which is a very odd trade off pricewise. For a few dollars more you get a 30w power section with fx loop, but lose the ability to mount in your pedal board. Strange.

[@KohleAudioKult]

I don’t think those mini amps are that serious.

[@KidNato]

@@KohleAudioKult its the same pre- so I guess the pedal is not that serious either?

[@mustangguy3706]

@@KidNato the pedal is going after a different market then the 30w head. I would never take that 30w to a gig because it's more then likely gonna get buried,to a little jam.. yes,home practice..yes. the pedal is something I would buy cuz I can put it on my board and run it through my tube power amp and gig with it.

[@aliengrey6052]

Well it’s not all it seems. There is something not quite right in the mids. It’s hard to explain. It’s missing a full kind of roundness. The louder it’s turned up the more noticeable it is. Sold the pedal, I now have the mini slo. Guess what ? It’s the same. Is the pedal the same as the mini. I think so.

[@bolotskih675]

Is it cold in your studio?

[@KohleAudioKult]

It’s a dark, cold and evil place! 😜 Why you’re asking?

[@bolotskih675]

@@KohleAudioKult cus you are wearing a hat all the time)

[@treewisemenllc7281]

The beanie is his fashion trademark ™️

[@riangarianga]

@@bolotskih675 Hehehe, I kind of thought this, too 😛 As I tested on myself, the full-bald route is actually nicer looking and more badass at the same time. Outdoors is a different matter, though.

[@harshtruth9148]

I’d rather turn on my pc and load up my neural dsp Soldano slo 100 plug-in and I’m ready to go. Sounds almost exact o the real amp.

[@MeTuLHeD]

Fourth option. Into an impulse response.

[@KohleAudioKult]

Yes! But this ust replaces the cabinet. And you always need either a cab or an IR so that’s not gonna sound that different if it’s a good IR. But it’s way more portable of course!

[@MeTuLHeD]

@@KohleAudioKult Ola has uploaded a number of videos in which he runs a high gain pedal into his interface and then through a cab IR. That's it. The signal chain is guitar into pedal into interface into IR. And the sound is massive.

[@vetzaaak]

Actually...The AMT S2 is the poor man's SLO100 -pedal.

[@JohnWiku]

That would be the Jet City JCA100, the chinese version of the Soldano Hot Rod 100, which is itself the true Soldano made poor man's SLO100. A pedal doesn't replace a full tube head even if said head is made in china.

[@Namelessforever_]

Blackstar Amped1 VS thomas Blug’s Amp1.

[@KohleAudioKult]

They’re very different concepts! The Amped is more of a backend for your pedals / preamps, the Blue is a full amp.

[@Namelessforever_]

@@KohleAudioKult I’m more talking the blatant rip-off with the name 😉

[@KohleAudioKult]

@@Namelessforever_ Ah ok! Both not very original, haha!

[@wakjob961]

You never pushed the button on the side !!! Oh god, what does it do??? We'll never know!!! ;-)

[@KohleAudioKult]

You mean on the Amped? Those are for the virtual cabinet section which I wasn’t using in the video.

[@nicholasdasilva5699]

The button on the side of the Soldano pedal is the "deep" switch -- it's a bass boost, and is like a fixed-setting version of the "deep" knob on the SLO-100. The "deep" switch is also on the SLO-Mini amp, which I suspect may have the same preamp circuit as the pedal, aside from an added "crunch" channel.

[@mtguitar5150]

I really don't think this thing is doing anything any modern modeler cannot already accomplish, even Mooer

[@zandig666]

Frank Marino was melting people's faces using pedals into clean amps yet he was ridiculed frank should get $2 from every person that does this 🤟🤟

[@madjack4691]

1:04 Kristian, PLEASE, don't use slant cabs! They sucks. (Even a mesa slant cab) The high frequency are just noise because of slant shape cab.

[@KohleAudioKult]

I got so many cabs here (both straight and slant). And I'm just too deaf to hear that problem 😇

[@madjack4691]

Sorry for my dumb comment! Love what you do! 👍😘

[@metalfather8139]

Grandmother metal pedal...lol u and grandmother paredies

[@KohleAudioKult]

Who doesn't love Granny? Haha!

[@DS-nw4eq]

No, it’s a pedal not an amplifier

[@anonymous_friend]

na bro. metalzone 4 life

[@KohleAudioKult]

Haha! At least you don't need a preamp for a metal zone!

[@paulytone]

Shirt is lame AF.

[@johnd9676]

Meh... Nothing great... Review was good but it's clear that this is just another distortion pedal in a vast sea of distortion pedals. I wouldn't pay more then 100 bucks for this thing and even then I'd probably save my money.

[@truckguy3]

Can we stop acting like the SLO actually sounds great for heavy riffing? Because it doesn’t. Never has, never will.

[@erlannderrantem6972]

Well thats maybe like your opinion man!

[@truckguy3]

@@erlannderrantem6972 apparently it’s a lot of peoples, because I can’t think of one heavy album this amp has ever been on???? because it hasn’t been!

[@riangarianga]

The Mesa Dual Rectifier pre is a knock-off of the SLO 100 pre. It's quite insightful to read the full story, hear Mike Soldano being interviewed about it, or even other amp manufacturers losing respect towards Randall Smith due to that fact.

[@truckguy3]

@@riangarianga this argument has been perpetuated for years, mostly by people who have never had both in the same room. Because they are absolutely nothing alike. Circuitry is only one part of the equation. The jtm45 and bassman share almost exact same circuitry as well, and they sound nothing at all alike.

[@riangarianga]

@@truckguy3 They change the tone stack, they alter the preamp valves resistors and caps, they have different output valves and, most importantly from the tonal perspective on any valve amp, they have a totally different output transformer. And they used British speakers, which is the core of any guitar sound. They never claimed it was a brand-new design, though. While the Recto and the SLO pres are 1:1 copies. The only thing is Soldano was associated to the hod-rod guys from the 80s, and crazily expensive, however Mesa came up with something cheaper, stating they fully designed it. The same component differences apply, but the differences will be less due to the pre being the same. As I suggested, it's good to check the full story, since it's documented why one amp took off and became staple in metal, while the other disappeared until recently.

[@greevar]

What do you mean the tubes are scooped? That's not how tubes are designed. Electrical engineers have known this since tubes were invented. If you examine the tube datasheets, it is patently clear that tubes do not have a "tone" as output scales with power equally at all frequencies. What you think is the tube "scooping the tone" is actually the tone circuit. For example, Fenders have a default mid scoop in their EQ, as do Marshalls. You can actually nullify the Marshall's mid scoop by diming the mids and setting the bass and treble at zero. Some amps impose a low pass or high pass in their tone circuit. In no amp does the tube affect the tone. People insist that they "hear" a difference, but they're just falling for a psychological trick they pull on themselves. If they believe it _must_ sound different, they convince themselves that it does sound different, regardless of what the oscilloscope says. Certain models of tubes have been commonly paired with amps with a particular tone stack that has led the uninformed to believe that the tube makes the tone when it's actually the tone stack. For the doubters, examine the science here: guitarscience.net/tsc/info.htm

[@KohleAudioKult]

Long story short. I’m talking about the frequency change of a typical guitar POWER amp (the settings of both presence and depth play an important role too). Tube amps can sound totally clean of course, just look at the Hi-Fi world.

[@greevar]

@@KohleAudioKult I know you're talking about a power amp, but they don't have a tone like that. The presence and resonance are just high pass and low pass filters for the negative feedback loop. When you turn them up, you're changing which frequencies are fed back from the load (e.g. speaker) into the op-amp. It's not changing the tone, but reducing the gain on high and/or low frequencies to eliminate distortion. So, what you're getting is cleaner output on the treble and bass while leaving the mid frequencies more distorted thanks to reduced impedance between the op-amp and the load. That's why the distortion sounds "tighter" because the bass and treble are distorting far less, avoiding noise that can interfere with clarity of the signal.

[@VVVY777]

It sounds small like a pedal. I'd rather use a good ampsim. Heck, overdriving the Amped-1 with a Klon clone would probably sound MASSIVE.

[@AndreGundersen]

BORING