Quick Start
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Verdict Polyphonic Octave by Klowra.
Verdict is a polyphonic octave pedal that blends your guitar’s original signal with multiple generated octaves, enabling a wide palette of tones and instrument emulations. From high solo lines to multi-string ensembles, from stacked harmonies to low-end support, Verdict captures every detail of your performance with precision and stability.
Swell and synth-like Filter functions provide versatile options for shaping the attack and texture of your sound, while Detune and Low Cut add thickness and tightness. Adjusting these parameters opens up virtually limitless tonal possibilities, from violin and bass to organ and synthesizer emulations.
The Freeze function allows notes or chords to sustain, creating rich, resonant harmonic layers, while the Ramp feature lets you morph seamlessly between different tones and instrument simulations. Paired with an expression pedal or external footswitch, Verdict responds dynamically to your playing, generating polyphonic textures full of depth and exploration.
Featuring Analog Dry-Through, selectable True Bypass/Buffered Bypass, and an independent dry-signal output, Verdict ensures clean, consistent performance across various stage and studio setups, keeping every interval clear, balanced, and powerful.
Knobs and Switches
+OCT
Adjusts the level of the +1 octave voice. Turn clockwise to increase the level; turn counterclockwise to decrease it.
+2 OCT
Adjusts the level of the +2 octave voice. Turn clockwise to increase the level; turn counterclockwise to decrease it.
-OCT
Adjusts the overall level of the lower-octave voices. Turn clockwise to increase the lower-octave level; turn counterclockwise to decrease it.
Note: The relative balance of the -2 octave voice is controlled by the hidden parameter -2 OCT.
DIRECT
Adjusts the level of the dry signal. Use this to retain pick attack and clarity while blending in the octave voices.
In Power-Up Mode, you can choose how the dry signal is routed to the Effect OUT:
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Analog Dry-Through: The dry signal stays unprocessed. It bypasses SWELL and FILTER.
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Processed Dry: The dry signal runs through SWELL and FILTER. It is then mixed at the Effect OUT.
Note: Analog Dry-Out always outputs the unprocessed dry signal and is not affected by this setting.
SWELL
Adjusts the effect attack time. Higher settings create a slower, more pad-like swell. Lower settings respond more immediately.
*Envelope Filter: In Power-Up Mode, you can link the low-pass filter cutoff to the SWELL envelope, allowing longer swells to create a matching filter sweep.*
FREQ
Adjusts the low-pass filter cutoff for the effect and shapes brightness. Lower settings sound darker and smoother; higher settings sound brighter and more open. Resonance is adjusted by the hidden parameter Q.
Footswitch
Control effect ON/OFF. Press & hold to trigger Freeze or Ramp.
Refer to the *Freeze* or *Ramp* section for details.
The LED Button
Lit when active, press & hold this button while turning other knobs to adjust various functions and hidden parameters.
Hidden Parameters
*To adjust the hidden parameters, press & hold the LED Button while turning the knob. A successful adjustment is indicated by the LED blinking yellow.*
Detune
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Adjusts the detune amount of the effect voices. Higher settings add width and a more chorused/synth-like character; lower settings stay tighter and more precise.
RampATK
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Controls the attack time of the Ramp modulation, determining how quickly the fade reaches the Snap-Set. A shorter attack time results in a quicker transition to the Snap-Set, while a longer attack time creates a smoother, more gradual fade.
RampRLS
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Controls the release time of the Ramp modulation, determining how gradually the transition fades back to the Panel-Set. A shorter release time results in a quicker return to the Panel-Set, while a longer release time provides a more drawn-out, fluid return to the Panel-Set.
-2 OCT
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Adjusts the -2 octave level as a ratio of the -1 octave level, letting you blend from a subtle low foundation to a stronger sub-octave weight.
Low Cut
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Adjusts the low-cut frequency for the octave effect. Higher settings reduce boom and muddiness; lower settings preserve more low-end weight.
Q
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Adjusts the resonance of the low-pass filter controlled by FREQ. Higher Q adds more emphasis at the cutoff point; lower Q keeps the roll-off smoother and more natural.
For adjustments to hidden parameters, please refer to the *Description of the LED Button* section.
Rear Panel I/O
9V DC
Connect to a 9V DC power supply with a center-negative polarity and a minimum current rating of 250mA.
Note: If the power supply is insufficient, the pedal may malfunction.
IN L (Mono)
1/4" mono (TS) unbalanced left input for mono setups.
Effect OUT (Mono)
1/4" TS output carrying the effected signal.
Analog Dry-Out (Mono)
1/4" TS output carrying the analog dry signal.
CTRL
1/4" stereo (TRS) balanced input for connecting an expression pedal or external footswitch.
Note: Please refer to the *External Control* section for information on how connection is recognized.
Signal Path
For optimal performance, place the Verdict first in your signal chain. Placing other effects before it may interfere with its pitch-shifting accuracy.
Output Configuration
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Effect OUT: Outputs a blend of the dry and wet signals, determined by the DIRECT and Octave controls.
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Analog Dry-Out: Always outputs the direct dry signal only. It does not pass through any effect processing.
Note: Please refer to the *Power-Up Mode* section for information on how to select the dry signal at Effect OUT by selecting Analog Dry-Through or Processed Dry.
Analog Dry-Through Outputs Setting
In this setting, the dry signal routed to the Effect OUT remains unprocessed and stays on the analog path. Only the octave voices pass through the digital processing chain and are mixed at the Effect OUT.
Note: The Analog Dry-Out always outputs the unprocessed dry signal.
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For the IN L, the pedal processes the mono input and creates a stereo soundstage across both outputs.
Processed Dry Outputs Setting
In this setting, the dry signal routed to the Effect OUT is converted to digital and processed by SWELL and FILTER before it is mixed with the octave voices.
Description of the LED Button
The LED Button is the heart of the Verdict.
You can determine the current operating status of the Verdict by observing the color of the LED button. The LED button can be pressed briefly or in combination with other knobs to adjust various functions or parameters.
Learning to interpret the LED colors and understanding the different ways the button can be pressed are essential for familiarizing yourself with the Verdict’s operation.
What the LED Colors Mean
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White : Freeze function active.
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Blue : Freeze is actively being triggered.
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Orange : Ramp function active.
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Violet : Ramp is actively being triggered.
What the Button Can Adjust
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Toggle the Freeze or Ramp
Press once to toggle between Freeze and Ramp.
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Save Snap-Set
Press & Hold to save the current parameter settings as Snap-Set.
The LED blinks violet to confirm.
Press & Hold while rotating the knob above the hidden parameters.
Successful adjustment is indicated by the LED blinking yellow.
Freeze
*Press & hold the footswitch while the LED is white. When the LED turns blue, you have entered Freeze. Release the footswitch to exit Freeze and return to normal operation. *
Freeze captures the current sound and holds it like an organ sustain, creating a continuous pad under your playing until you release the footswitch. It is ideal for ambient pads, sustained textures, and creative layering.
- How It Works
When you press & hold the footswitch, Verdict captures a moment of your playing and sustains it as a continuous, frozen tone. The held tone continues until you release the footswitch.
- Freeze Release
In Power-Up Mode, you can select how the frozen sound releases when you let go of the footswitch:
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Fast Release: The held sound stops quickly for tight, rhythmic breaks.
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Slow Release: The held sound fades out gradually for smoother transitions.
- Freeze Latching
In Power-Up Mode, you can select how the footswitch triggers the freeze effect:
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Momentary Mode: The effect is active only while the footswitch is held down.
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Latched Mode: The effect toggles on or off each time you press the footswitch.
Note: Please refer to the Power-Up Mode section for instructions on configuring Freeze Release and Freeze Latching.
-Signal Path Notes
Freeze applies only to the processed (wet) signal path. This setting determines how the held layer decays but does not affect your dry signal routing.
*Press & hold the footswitch while the LED is orange. When the LED turns violet, you’ve entered Ramp. *
Ramp allows for smooth, dynamic transitions between two sets of parameters:
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Panel-Set – Your current front-panel parameter settings.
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Snap-Set – A saved set of parameters stored using the LED Button.
This feature creates expressive, evolving fades that add depth, movement, and
emotion to your sound. The speed and character of the transition are defined by
two parameters:
RampATK (Attack Time):
Controls how quickly the effect fades from the Panel-Set to the Snap-Set.
- A shorter attack gives a fast, sharp transition.
- A longer attack creates a smoother, more gradual fade.
RampRLS (Release Time):
Controls how quickly the sound returns from the Snap-Set to the Panel-Set.
- A shorter release results in a quick recovery.
- A longer release provides a more drawn-out, fluid return.
Ramp Modes
Ramp supports two switching modes - Momentary and Latched—giving you
flexibility to match your performance style.
Momentary Mode:
Press & hold the footswitch to fade into the Snap-Set over RampATK time. Release
the footswitch to return to the Panel-Set over RampRLS time.
Latched Mode:
Press once to transition to the Snap-Set (RampATK), and press again to return to
the Panel-Set (RampRLS).
To select between Momentary and Latched modes, see the * Power-Up Modes* section.
Power-Up Modes
How To enter Power-Up Modes:
Press & hold the footswitch while powering on the pedal. A flashing LED indicates successful entry. Once your settings are configured, press the footswitch again to exit Power-Up Modes.
In this mode, you can adjust the following settings:
Bypass & Trails Modes
Switch between modes by short-press the LED button.
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True Bypass
The signal is routed directly through the pedal with no buffering or coloration.
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Green LED flashes to indicate True Bypass mode.
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Buffered Bypass(Trails on)
The signal is routed through a buffer with Analog Dry-Through, allowing delay trails to continue after the effect is bypassed.
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LED Red flashes to indicate Buffered Bypass mode.
Freeze Release Switching
Select by rotating the +OCT knob.
- Turn fully left for Fast Release (LED yellow flashes 3x).
- Turn fully right for Slow Release (LED blue flashes 3x).
Ramp Lock
Select by rotating the +2 OCT knob.
- Turn fully left for Momentary (LED flashes yellow 3x).
- Turn fully right for Latched ( LED flashes blue 3x).
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Momentary:
Hold the footswitch to transition to Snap-Set over RampATK time. Release to return to the current set over RampRLS time.
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Latched:
The first press transitions to Snap-Set over RampATK time. The second press returns to the current set over RampRLS time.
Dry Path Mode
Select by rotating the DIRECT knob.
- Turn fully left for Analog Dry-Through (LED yellow flashes 3x).
- Turn fully right for Processed Dry (LED blue flashes 3x).
Note: This setting affects Effect OUT only. Analog Dry-Out is always analog dry signal and unprocessed.
Freeze Lock
Select by rotating the -OCT knob.
- Turn fully left for Momentary (LED flashes yellow 3x).
- Turn fully right for Latched (LED flashes blue 3x).
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Momentary: The effect is active only while the footswitch is held down.
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Latched: The effect toggles on or off each time you press the footswitch.
Envelope Filter
Select by rotating the SWELL knob.
- Turn fully left to turn Envelope Filter off.
- Turn fully right to turn Envelope Filter on.
*Envelope Filter: Links the low-pass filter cutoff to the Swell envelope, so slow swells produce a matching filter sweep.*
LED Brightness
Adjust by rotating the LO-FI knob.
- Turn fully left for dimmest.
- Turn fully right for brightest.
Connection & Activation
When connecting an external TS/TRS footswitch or expression pedal, the LED indicator will flash red. Trigger the footswitch or pedal repeatedly during this state.
Once the connection is successfully recognized, the Verdict will return to normal operation.
Note: If the External Control is not fully activated, it may result in limited functionality.
External Footswitch Compatibility
When connecting an external TS/TRS footswitch, there are two specific functional settings, depending on the color of the LED indicator:
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LED White - The current footswitch-specific function is Freeze.
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TS Footswitch : Momentary triggers Ramp.
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TRS Footswitch:
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Tip Position: Momentary triggers Ramp.
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Ring Position: Momentary triggers Freeze.
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LED Orange - The current footswitch-specific function is Ramp
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TS/RS Footswitch: Momentary triggers Freeze.
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TRS Footswitch:
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Tip Position: Momentary triggers Ramp.
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Ring Position: Momentary triggers Freeze.
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Expression Pedal Compatibility
When an expression pedal is connected, it takes direct control over the Ramp by blending between the Panel-Set and Snap-Set. In this mode:
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The RampATK and RampRLS parameters are disabled.
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Ramp cannot be triggered by Press & Hold the footswitch.
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The expression pedal locks Verdict into LED White (Freeze active), and mode switching to LED Orange (Ramp active) is disabled.
How do I update my Klowra pedal?
1/ Download the latest firmware update file for your model from the relevant model page.
2/ Connect the Klowra pedal to your computer using the USB-C data cable.
3/ Hold down footswitch&the LED button while powering on, the LED flashing red.
4/ Open the firmware update file. Please avoid opening multiple installers at the same time, as this may cause detection issues. Click Update to begin installing the firmware.
5/ After the successful update, the LED turns off. Restart the pedal and enjoy!
STILL UNABLE TO CONNECT KLOWRA PEDAL?
If reconnecting the pedal or restarting the software doesn't help, check the following:
1. Verify that the USB data cable is securely connected to both the pedal and your computer, and try using a different USB port if necessary.
2. Replace the USB data cable with a known-good one and attempt to reconnect the pedal.
IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE STEPS:
1. Close the update software, and then follow the steps below in order.
2. Connect your klowra pedal to your computer with a USB data cable (not included).
3. Relaunch the update software.
4. Power on the pedal while holding both the footswitch and the LED button.
5. The LED button wil flash red. Wait a moment, then click "Update" to begin the firmware process.
Inputs | 2 x 1/4"TS Instrument jacks |
Input Impedance | 500k Ohm |
A/D & D/A | 24 Bit 44.1K Hz |
Power Source | 9V DC power supply required |
External Control | TS/TRS Momentary footswitch, or TRS expression pedal |
Hardware Interface | USB-C |
Outputs | 2 x 1/4"TS Instrument jacks |
Output Impedance | 100 Ohm |
Max Input Level | +10 dBu |
Current Draw | 250mA |
Bypass Mode | Switchable: True Bypass, Buffered Bypass(AnalogDry-Through) |
Dimensions | 54.7mm H x 124.8mm D x 69.2mm W(2.0"H x 4.9"D x 2.7"W) |