RAT 2 is a classic distortion pedal being produced by American company ProCo since 1988. Rat 2 is a successor to the The Rat, The Rat v2 and Small Box RAT manufactured in periods between 1979 and 1988. Circuit and certain component parts changed in details but the tone remained the same.
Later, RAT 2 got multiple variations such as Turbo RAT, Vintage RAT and Fat RAT but the main line of RAT 2 has been continuously in production since 1988.
Designed to represent “The sound of underground”, it gained iconic status and was used in recordings of many outstanding musicians including David Gilmour, Kurt Cobain, Thom Yorke, James Hetfiled and others.
Notable RAT clones:
- JHS Pedals Pack Rat
- TC Electronic MAGUS
- Mooer Audio Black Secret
- Walrus Audio Iron Horse
- Electro-Harmonix Flatiron Fuzz
ProCo RAT 2 Schematic analysis by Electrosmash
ProCo RAT pedal myths, history and timeline by JHS Pedals
- Type: Distortion
- Analog
- True bypass
- Inputs: 1 x 6.25mm (1 x 1/4″) TS
- Outputs: 1 x 6.25mm (1 x 1/4″) TS
- Dimensions: 89 x 103 x 73 mm
- Power consumption: 9V 0.8 mA
- Polarity: center-negative
- In production since 1988
Analogs: Boss DS-1, Marshall Guv’nor