Dominator MKII Red - High Gain Distortion

The OKKO Dominator is the nasty little effects box in the OKKO range, designed for those looking for everything from big aggressive British crunch, to classic heavy metal lead, through high-gain neo-metal rhythms and little almost all intermediaries! This is what the Dominator MKII Red offers you in this version updated during the summer of 2015.

Regarding construction and aesthetics, no surprise, the overall design is very nice, the case is top and the workmanship flawless, as always with OKKO! And we still love this super big red LED right in the middle of the pedal!
Let's detail the front panel: we find the usual Level and Gain controls, with an extremely powerful 3-band EQ, in particular the MIDS button which is extremely effective, allowing you to greatly change the voicing and the overall sound characteristics of the Dominator . This is assisted by a mini FREQ toggle switch allowing you to adjust the mids by widening them / boosting them more or less. The novelty of the 2015 version: it is the toggle switch called GATE, which activates a noise gate of the most effective, and according to two modes (hard, soft).

To give the best possible results, the Dominator MKII Red must be stacked on a channel of very good quality, with enough headroom. Especially if you want to play "edgy" styles that require high gain levels. ESP Custom Shop and Gibson Les Paul in hand, the first contact with the Dominator reassures us about its design. It's neat on the outside...and on the inside. We want proof of this in the weak hiss emitted by the MK2, even without the Gate. Care, everywhere, down to the smallest detail.
Let's be clear right away, the Dominator MKII Red has absolutely nothing in common with other overly compressed or modeled high-gain pedals. Here, we have a massive, compact distortion, but without unwelcome compression. It does not get lost in the mix and remains 100% usable in a group.
An explosive attack, "tight" bass and perfect definition / detachment of notes and chords make the OKKO Dominator MKII a must-have for the brute in us! The EQ is really impressive in its responsiveness, it is precise and provides a very wide range of settings. It allows you to refine so much so that everything is within reach of knobs: from the massive rock sound to the distortions highlighted by palm-mutes and power chords. The definition and the dynamics of the game or/and of the attack are preserved: the Dominator will undoubtedly impress you.

The OKKO Dominator MKII is a 100% big sound pedal, without being 100% metal (the MKII Black version is specialized in this area), and that's what makes it strong. It retains a certain versatility in this register and will make it possible to cast a very wide net.
If you're tired of high-gain pedals that crush everything, including your playing nuances, and you only carry your Rectifier for special occasions, then the Dominator is for you and your pedalboard!