Detail 01
1.97 x 1.22 x 3.94 inch enclosure
Mini format. It slots into gaps between full-size pedals, though the footswitch sits close to the knob.
Product detailSKU #1273888005436
Carl MartinHydra Boost Pedal
aggressivehigh outputrockpsychedelicstoner rock
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A compact Carl Martin boost pedal at $129. For rock and stoner players who want more level and front-end push without a separate dirt box.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Pushing a tube amp already at the edge into breakup
- Rock, psych and stoner rigs needing a lead lift
- Crowded pedalboards with almost no free real estate
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting standalone distortion rather than more of their amp
- Clean pedal platforms with no headroom left to push
- Anyone who needs onboard EQ shaping beyond level
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
0.4 lb weight
Light enough that velcro alone holds it. Also light enough to shift if you kick it hard on a bare floor.
Detail 03
Boost circuit
Raises signal level into whatever follows. On an amp near breakup it adds gain and sustain rather than a new voice.
Detail 04
High-output, aggressive voicing
Not a flat transparent lift. Expect added bite and midrange push, which is what makes it read as rock-leaning.
Detail 05
$129 price
Sits above utility clean boosts and below multi-stage drive pedals. You pay for the voicing, not for extra controls.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Mini enclosures usually take external power only — plan a supply slot
- 02Power adapter and patch cables are not included
- 03A boost only pushes what is already there; a clean amp stays clean, louder
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is this a distortion pedal?
No, it is a boost. It drives the stage after it harder. Distortion comes from your amp or another pedal reacting to the extra level, not from this pedal alone.
02How big is it?
Roughly 1.97 x 1.22 x 3.94 inches and 0.4 lb — a mini-format pedal that fits gaps a standard enclosure cannot.
03Where does it go in the chain?
In front of the amp or before your dirt pedal if you want more gain. After dirt, in the loop or last, if you want volume for solos instead.
04Does it take a battery?
Enclosures this small generally have no battery compartment, so budget for a 9V supply slot on your board.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
2 detailsSize & weight
- Dimensions Wxhxd
- 1.97 inch x 1.22 inch x 3.94 inch
- Weight
- 0.4
