Analogman King of Tone Settings Guide
The Analogman King of Tone is a dual-channel overdrive based on the Marshall Blues Breaker circuit — considered one of the finest production overdrives ever made. Two independent channels (each with Gain, Volume, and a three-position voicing toggle) can run in parallel or series. Each channel covers clean boost through moderate overdrive. It is currently on an extended wait-list, making used examples valuable.
Used by: John Mayer
The best Analogman King of Tone settings start with: Gain (Ch1) at 5/10, Volume (Ch1) at 6/10, Gain (Ch2) at 7/10, Volume (Ch2) at 6/10, Mode (Ch1) at 5/10. Adjust from there based on your amp, guitar, and room volume. For Blues: Gain (Ch1) 4/10, Volume (Ch1) 7/10, Gain (Ch2) 7/10, Volume (Ch2) 6/10, Mode (Ch1) 5/10.
⚡ Start Here — Recommended Settings
| Control | Starting Position | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Gain (Ch1) | 5/10 | Clean → OD |
| Volume (Ch1) | 6/10 | Unity → Boost |
| Gain (Ch2) | 7/10 | Clean → OD |
| Volume (Ch2) | 6/10 | Unity → Boost |
| Mode (Ch1) | 5/10 | Clean → OD |
These are universal starting points. Adjust based on your amp, guitar, and room. Scroll down for genre-specific settings and artist-documented positions.
What Each Control Does
Recommended Starting Settings
Safe starting positions for any style. Adjust from here based on your amp and room.
All values on a 0–10 scale. These are starting points — fine-tune by ear.
Settings by Genre
Channel 1 as clean boost, Channel 2 as primary overdrive — the classic King of Tone two-channel approach. Ch1 at low Gain and high Volume boosts the amp into natural breakup; Ch2 adds the overdrive layer on top. This produces the stacked, organic blues tone that makes the KoT distinctive from single-channel overdrives.
Both channels at moderate to high Gain in OD mode — running both channels simultaneously in series produces a fuller, more saturated tone than either channel alone. Mode toggle in OD position on both channels for maximum overdrive output.
Channel 1 always-on at minimal Gain — add Ch2 for leads. The clean boost channel (Ch1 at Gain 2) adds the subtle harmonic warmth of the Blues Breaker circuit without audible distortion. Ch2 at Gain 5 provides the lead overdrive voice on top.
A balanced setting between the two channels covers a wide range of session work in one configuration, from a light always-on push to a moderate lead boost by adding Ch2, without needing to reconfigure between songs.
Channel 1 alone at minimal Gain in the Clean-leaning mode position gives a bright, articulate push suited to Telecaster-style country picking, without engaging Channel 2 at all.
Artist Settings
Documented settings used by professional guitarists on this unit.
Mayer has used the King of Tone extensively as part of his touring and studio pedalboard, running the two channels for layered boost and overdrive — Channel 1 as a lower-gain push and Channel 2 for a fuller lead tone, consistent with the pedal most common two-channel usage pattern.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- The wait list for this pedal exists for a reason — it is one of the few overdrive pedals where the circuit design itself determines the tone rather than the player amp. Players who have tried many overdrive pedals and remain unsatisfied should explore it even if it requires patience to acquire.
- The three-position voicing toggle per channel is a bigger tonal decision than the Gain or Volume knobs — audition all three positions on each channel before settling on a genre setting, since they shift the fundamental character, not just the amount of drive.
- Running both channels in series (rather than using only one at a time) is where this pedal reputation as a two-in-one overdrive really comes through — treat the two channels as complementary stages, not redundant options.
- Because used units hold their value well due to the wait list, buying used is a financially reasonable option relative to many boutique pedals that depreciate after purchase.
- For players unfamiliar with Blues Breaker-style circuits generally, spending time with Channel 1 alone at varying Gain levels builds an understanding of the core voicing before adding the complexity of a second channel.
FAQ
Analogman King of Tone — Common Questions
Best starting settings for Analogman King of Tone: Gain (Ch1) at 5/10, Volume (Ch1) at 6/10, Gain (Ch2) at 7/10, Volume (Ch2) at 6/10, Mode (Ch1) at 5/10. Adjust from there based on your guitar, room, and playing style.
For Blues: Gain (Ch1) 4/10, Volume (Ch1) 7/10, Gain (Ch2) 7/10, Volume (Ch2) 6/10, Mode (Ch1) 5/10. Channel 1 as clean boost, Channel 2 as primary overdrive — the classic King of Tone two-channel approach. Ch1 at low Gain and high Volume boosts the amp into natural breakup; Ch2 adds the overdrive layer on top. This produces the stacked, organic blues tone that makes the KoT distinctive from single-channel overdrives.
For Rock: Gain (Ch1) 6/10, Volume (Ch1) 6/10, Gain (Ch2) 8/10, Volume (Ch2) 5/10, Mode (Ch1) 7/10. Both channels at moderate to high Gain in OD mode — running both channels simultaneously in series produces a fuller, more saturated tone than either channel alone. Mode toggle in OD position on both channels for maximum overdrive output.
Gain (Ch1): Channel 1 gain level — from clean boost to moderate overdrive. (Clean to OD). Volume (Ch1): Channel 1 output level. (Unity to Boost). Gain (Ch2): Channel 2 gain level — identical circuit to Channel 1. (Clean to OD). Volume (Ch2): Channel 2 output level. (Unity to Boost). Mode (Ch1): Three-position mode toggle: Clean, Overdrive, or Distortion voicing per channel. (Clean to OD)
The wait list for this pedal exists for a reason — it is one of the few overdrive pedals where the circuit design itself determines the tone rather than the player amp. Players who have tried many overdrive pedals and remain unsatisfied should explore it even if it requires patience to acquire. The three-position voicing toggle per channel is a bigger tonal decision than the Gain or Volume knobs — audition all three positions on each channel before settling on a genre setting, since they shift the fundamental character, not just the amount of drive. Running both channels in series (rather than using only one at a time) is where this pedal reputation as a two-in-one overdrive really comes through — treat the two channels as complementary stages, not redundant options. Because used units hold their value well due to the wait list, buying used is a financially reasonable option relative to many boutique pedals that depreciate after purchase. For players unfamiliar with Blues Breaker-style circuits generally, spending time with Channel 1 alone at varying Gain levels builds an understanding of the core voicing before adding the complexity of a second channel.
John Mayer settings: Gain (Ch1) 4/10, Volume (Ch1) 7/10, Gain (Ch2) 7/10, Volume (Ch2) 6/10, Mode (Ch1) 5/10. Mayer has used the King of Tone extensively as part of his touring and studio pedalboard, running the two channels for layered boost and overdrive — Channel 1 as a lower-gain push and Channel 2 for a fuller lead tone, consistent with the pedal most common two-channel usage pattern.
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