Dreadbox Kinematic VCA-Based Compressor Pedal

£169.99

Also available on — Andertons, Amazon, eBay & Reverb

Fresh on the menu for 2026 are the Dreadbox Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Dreadbox Guitar Pedals today.


Description

Fresh on the menu for 2026 are the Dreadbox Guitar Pedals, freshly added and carefully selected. These New units are available to order online with fast, secure delivery from trusted UK retailers. Read on for full details, specifications, demos, videos, reviews, and the best places to buy the Dreadbox Guitar Pedals today.

Greek synth wizards Dreadbox have taken their first step into the realm of effects pedals, with their retro-styled Lethargy, Darkness & Kinematic stompboxes!

The Kinematic is a VCA-based compressor and envelope filter suitable for guitars, basses, synthesisers and even drum machines — with eurorack patch compatibility too. Embellishing your tones with vintage-esque analogue squeeze, the Dreadbox Kinematic's built-in overdrive circuit also allows you to dramatically distort any dry or anaemic-sounding signal with saturated, hair-raising gain!

Key Features

  • Fully-analogue, VCA-based compressor with band-boost filter and extreme compression ratio.
  • Envelope filter and low-pass filter with slow envelope curve.
  • Post-diode overdrive circuit adds musical grit to any instrument signal.
  • Level boost — up to +18dB on tap!
  • 3 patch points make this unit perfect for modular synth fans.

Specifications

  • Circuit: Analogue
  • Bypass: CMOS
  • Audio: Mono
  • Power: 9VDC (center pin negative, 2.1mm)
  • Current Draw: 85mA
  • Dimensions (cm): 14 x 10 x 5.6

Inputs & Outputs

  • In/Out: TS unbalanced 6.4mm jack
  • Filter/Level/EG Out: 3.5mm mini jack

Additional information

Weight 1 kg

Brand

Dreadbox

Dreadbox is a brand known for its innovative effects pedals, combining traditional guitar pedal designs with creative, synth-oriented features. Based in Athens, Greece, Dreadbox originally made its name with analogue synths and Eurorack modules, but its foray into pedals has further established it as a unique player in the music technology space. Their pedals, like the *Lethargy* phaser and *Kinematic* compressor/envelope filter, offer a mix of classic effects and experimental options, appealing to both guitarists and synth enthusiasts.

The *Lethargy* pedal features an 8-stage phaser with an LFO and a manual knob for real-time sound manipulation, while the *Kinematic* is a dual-function pedal that can toggle between a compressor and envelope filter. Both pedals integrate patchable modulation options that are compatible with Eurorack systems, allowing for greater creativity. Dreadbox’s pedals are known for their high build quality and distinct design, making them a go-to for musicians looking to expand their sonic palette.

Category

Guitar Pedals

Tags

Boost

A boost pedal does one simple thing brilliantly — it makes your signal louder, stronger, and more alive. Whether you’re pushing a valve amp into natural breakup, lifting a solo above the band, or adding a touch more presence to your core tone, a clean boost gives you extra headroom without changing your character.

Use it at the front of your chain to drive other pedals harder, or after your gain stages to raise volume without adding distortion. Subtle or powerful, transparent or slightly coloured, a boost is one of the most useful tools on any pedalboard — small box, big difference.

Compressor

A compressor pedal evens out your dynamics, smoothing peaks and lifting quieter notes so everything feels tighter and more controlled. It adds sustain, clarity, and balance — making clean chords ring longer, country licks snap with precision, and funk rhythms pop with consistency. Subtle or pronounced, compression shapes the feel of your playing as much as the sound.

Use it at the front of your chain to tighten your core tone, add sustain to leads, or keep complex passages sitting neatly in the mix. From gentle polish to unmistakable squash, a compressor is one of those foundational tools that quietly makes everything sound more professional and dialled in.

envelope filter

An envelope filter reacts to your playing dynamics, opening and closing its sweep based on how hard you pick. Dig in and it quacks, ease off and it softens — delivering that unmistakable funk snap, auto-wah bounce, and touch-sensitive groove that feels alive under your fingers. It’s expressive, rhythmic, and full of character.

Use it to bring movement to clean riffs, add vocal-like sweeps to bass lines, or inject serious funk into your rhythm playing. From subtle shimmer to full-on 70s squelch, an envelope filter turns your picking hand into the control knob.

Filter

A filter pedal shapes your tone by emphasising or cutting specific frequencies, letting you sculpt everything from subtle tonal shifts to bold, sweeping textures. Unlike traditional wah or envelope effects, filters can be static or controlled in different ways, giving you focused control over how bright, dark, sharp, or resonant your sound becomes.

Use a filter to tighten the low end, tame harsh highs, or create synth-like sweeps and rhythmic movement. Whether you’re refining your core tone or pushing into experimental territory, a filter pedal gives you precise control over the flavour of your sound.

New

This is brand new, fresh in, and a UK warranty is included. New Gear always comes from trusted UK music retailers.

Overdrive

Like a golden layer of melted cheese — warm, gooey, and just put it all over. It adds just the right amount of richness and grit, turning a clean signal into something smooth and savoury. Designed to mimic the natural breakup of a tube amp pushed to its sweet spot, overdrive delivers the flavour of classic rock and blues in every bite. From creamy mid-gain warmth to crisp edge-of-breakup sparkle, it’s the comfort food of guitar tone — simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. Whether it’s a mild crunch or a full-bodied roar, overdrive is where good taste begins.

Synth

A synth pedal transforms your guitar signal into rich, layered tones that mimic the sounds of a synthesiser. Using pitch tracking and waveform generation, it can produce everything from deep bass lines to shimmering pads and futuristic leads. Synth pedals open up a wide creative range, blending the expressiveness of guitar playing with electronic textures, making them ideal for experimental sounds, ambient music, or adding a modern edge to classic riffs.