Fortin Amplification Kali [Distortion/Pre-Amp]

Following in the footsteps of NATAS and MESHUGGAH, Kali is the third in our preamp series, bringing the sound of legendary amps straight to your pedalboard. Born from Mike Fortin's deep roots in amp modification (and paying homage to the revolutionary work of Jose Arredondo), and inspired by the iconic Fortin Cali Amp, Kali delivers everything from vintage Plexi sheen to full-throttle modern metal.

This pedal doesn't just sound like thunder, it defines thunder. With switchable gain modes (VINT, RAW, SAT), a 3-position bright switch on each gain control, and an active 3-band EQ, Kali puts a universe of tones at your feet. Add in a few extra gain stomps, and you have the tools to outshine any M-style preamp.



■ Control
Bass: Active bass control allows you to add or cut low frequencies.
Mid: Active midrange control allows you to add or cut midrange frequencies.
Treble: Active treble control allows you to add or cut high frequencies.
Master: Controls the output level of the pedal.
Gain2: Main gain stage, operates on both the RED and GREEN channels.
Gain1: A second gain stage (cascaded before Gain2) that operates only on the RED (CH2) channel.
*Gain 1 is only effective on CH2 (Red channel).


・Stomps
CH1/2: Switch between CH1 and CH2. CH2 (RED) has significantly higher gain due to the additional gain stage (GAIN 1) being active.
On: Pedal On/Off

・Master Switch
VINT: This is where you'll find the pedal's most vintage sound. Some bounce is added and a slight level of compression gives the pedal a Plexi-like feel. Selecting CH2 adds a "mod" response/tone to the circuit, ushering in the birth of modern high gain.

RAW: This is the loudest of the three settings. No gain/brightness/compression stages are added, and it is the pedal's most natural state.

SAT: Fortin's classic saturation. At low levels, the volume is reduced and the saturation is clearly noticeable. As you turn the LEVEL knob clockwise, the reduction in volume becomes less noticeable, but the compression level increases, producing a powerful sound like pushing a tube amplifier to its limits.


Bright Switch (one for each gain control)
1 (Left): Adds a level of brightness to the gain control, providing a tone and response similar to that of a vintage Plexi Amp.
0 (Middle): No brightness is added, leaving the pedal in its most natural state.
2 (Right): Adds a brightness level to the gain control, providing a tone and response similar to the 2203 (800) amplifier.


KALI in: The signal enters the pedal here.
KALI out: Output from here (for best results, connect to your amplifier's FX Return/Power Amp In)

Specifications: Power supply: 9VDC (center negative) external adapter/power supply only.
・Power consumption: 115mA
- Active 3-band EQ section (bass, mid, treble).
- Dual gain stages (Gain 1, Gain 2) that can be switched with a foot switch.
3-way master switch for VINT, RAW, and SAT modes. Top-mounted terminals, MOSFET input protection, and soft stomp switching. Made in the USA.