Kevin W. Lee

RAT Attack
Filter-knob distortionProCo RAT · Pedal Zines № 07

Issue07
RAT (n.) ProCo's black-box distortion. Three knobs, one stomp, and a FILTER that works backwards.
§ 01 · What it isRead me first

DISTORTION = how much, FILTER = how dark (clockwise = darker), VOLUME = how loud.

FILTER: clockwise = darker
§ 02Where everything lives

The Map

Three knobs in a row and a stomp. The one that trips people up is FILTER: it works backwards from a normal tone knob.

Stylized top view of the ProCo RAT Black pedal with white lettering. Three knobs in a row: DISTORTION (1), FILTER (2), VOLUME (3). RAT logo with the on light behind the A (4). Round footswitch (5). Jacks and power along the top edge (6), layout approximate. OUT9VIN DISTORTION FILTER VOLUME RAT DISTORTION 1 2 3 4 5 6
Drawn from the classic RAT layout · jack positions approximate, knob pointers are decoration
  1. 1DISTORTIONGain. Low = gritty crunch and boost territory, high = thick distortion edging into fuzz.
  2. 2FILTERBackwards tone: clockwise = darker (cuts highs), counterclockwise = brighter.
  3. 3VOLUMEOutput level when it's on. Set it to match or beat your bypass volume.
  4. 4On lightProCo puts the LED behind the logo (the "A"), on purpose.
  5. 5FootswitchEffect on/off.
  6. 6Jacks + power¼" in and out plus a 9 V jack. Plugging into INPUT switches on battery power.
✓ First sessionTap each one when done · saves on this device

First Session

0 / 5 done RAT TAMED.
§ 03Starting points, not gospel

Quick Recipes

Starting knob spots (clock positions), not factory presets. Set it, play, then nudge by ear: guitar, pickups and amp all change the answer.

Rhythm

CRUNCH

  • DISTORTION: 9 to 10 o'clock
  • FILTER: noon
  • VOLUME: match bypass

Edge of breakup; picking hard brings the grit.

Full RAT

BIG DIRT

  • DISTORTION: 2 o'clock
  • FILTER: 11 o'clock
  • VOLUME: noon

If it's too fizzy, turn FILTER clockwise a little.

Solo

FUZZ-ISH LEAD

  • DISTORTION: max
  • FILTER: 1 o'clock (darker)
  • VOLUME: a touch above bypass

Thick and woolly. Roll FILTER back if it gets dull.

§ 04Juice and jacks

Power & Specs

POWER
  • 9 V battery or an external 9 V supply.
  • Two jack types exist (ProCo guide): 2.1 mm barrel = center negative; older 3.5 mm jack = tip positive. Supply rated 50 mA or more.
  • Draw is tiny: the current RAT 2 is listed around 0.8 mA (Thomann spec); the owner's instructions say about 5 mA is more than enough.
THE BOX
  • DISTORTION · FILTER · VOLUME, one footswitch.
  • Mono ¼" input and output; on light behind the RAT logo.
  • Steel box; battery behind a door on the bottom held by a thumbscrew.
Check first

Wrong polarity can damage a RAT. Look at your jack before plugging into a brick: barrel = center negative, 3.5 mm = tip positive.

§ 05Third in line

In My Rig

The RAT is in my live chain, right after the SD-1 and before the Phase 90.

NotaklonSD-1beforeRATherePhase 90afterLucky CatIR-2amp
TIP 1

SD-1 as a boost

SD-1 on with low drive in front of the RAT tightens and lifts it. A starting point to try.

TIP 2

Phase after dirt

The Phase 90 sits after the RAT, so it swirls the distorted sound.

TIP 3

Into the IR-2

The IR-2 is my amp, so the RAT is hitting an amp model. Gain and VOLUME settings may differ from a real amp.