Will This TUBE Drive Pedal Make Your multi-FX Sound Better?

In today's video, I'm looking at the Valbruch Kaluna Valve Overdrive Pedal.
I'm a big fan of putting overdrive pedals before DSP-based guitar amp processors, I feel by relying on real pedals as opposed to drive effects that are built into these DSP-based units helps with the tone and feel we all associate with plugging into a real guitar amp. Today I'm going to plug in a proper valve-equipped overdrive pedal to see if I can get that bit closer to how my valve amps sound and feel.

Here's what Valbruch says about the Kaluna.
Vahlbruch KALUNA : High Voltage Tube Drive
The Valbruch KALUNA is a new and completely original design featuring an ECC83/12AX7 tube that is 100% pure analog tone! Operating at 250 volts, the dual triode tube circuit is powered by your standard 9V power supply, producing this very particular sweet harmonic content, overdrive clarity, fast pick attack response and complex compression, that we all love from cranked tube amps. The KALUNA is a super versatile, intuitive drive pedal with an extremely open sound that's transparent with great dynamics. The gain characteristics from the KALUNA are organic and three dimensional, delivering mild breakup to creamy saturation.
The KALUNA's unique circuit bears extraordinary touch sensitivity. Every musical nuance generated from your picking attack is exactly reproduced. The post tube, three band tone controls are extremely responsive, which is perfect for tailoring your tone to your specific gear and sound.
The Vahlbruch KALUNA tube pedal definitely sounds different compared to solid state pedals and with its great clarity it will never mask the natural sound of your guitar and amplifier.


The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.