4 Tips How You Can Use The ProCo Rat 2 Distortion

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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:22 Overview
1:10 Distortion Sounds
2:21 Distortion in the Mix
3:04 Overdrive Sounds
5:04 Overdrive in the Mix
5:41 Fuzz Sounds
7:19 Fuzz in the Mix
8:19 Boost Sounds
9:50 Conclusion

[@SRguitar]

Get the Rat: Thomann: redir.love/thoprod/185691?offid=1&affid=398 Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkYPvO Amazon: geni.us/dllC2

[@al271987]

There’s probably a couple of hundred Rat videos out there, and I’ve watched plenty of them, but I’m being completely honest when I say this is the best, most useful Rat video I’ve seen. Excellent work.

[@chipsterb4946]

This is the only one I’ve seen that demonstrates the versatility of this rodent. I got a Wampler Ratsbane a few months ago as a distortion pedal. Much to my surprise, the low gain settings are really cool and the pedal is much more touch sensitive than most distortions. Put your favorite “transparent” overdrive in front and you might start giggling like I did. Moderate fuzz => Univibe => rat => rock n’ roll 😎 I love this guy’s approach to a demo. Here is what the controls are and how they work. This is what you expect it to sound like. Now here are other ways to use the pedal, both guitar alone and *importantly* in a mix. Well done!

[@z00zibot]

I agree. This is the best demo of the Rat I've seen.

[@FlankinspanK]

agreed!

[@paulm9079]

Agreed here too. It turns out the RAT is a lot more versatile than most give it credit for. Very very nice job on the video.

[@pedrogiunco5776]

Totally agree! Awesome demo!

[@keithrowe7617]

Thank you sir. I have watched a LOT of pedal demos in my day. None even comes close to this. Your use of each example in an actual mix is the one thing missing from all other demos. Five stars.

[@guyjerry]

This might be the most well done pedal demo I’ve ever seen. You rock brother

[@filipkostovski873]

This was a next level demo ! Great job showing the different use cases and the sound in the mix. Keep em coming !

[@EthanRom]

It's just so beautiful where you got that beefy drive and hint of fuzz in the highs that adds some sort of saturation. The fuzz is there to add character, but not be overbearing. Your main setting is perfect

[@TwistedCantQuickscope]

Metallica used this pedal in their album ‘Kill em all’ I read about the pro co rat 2. It’s an amazing pedal Coldplay even used the pedal for their songs as well. But my favourite song with the pro co rat distortion would be Territorial Pissings by nirvana

[@sam-tr6ub]

WHEN I WAS AN ALIEN

[@DextremeDark]

@@sam-tr6ub haven't seen that xbox profile picture in a long time

[@sam-tr6ub]

@@DextremeDark lmaooo i literally just changed it an hour ago

[@mrrandmssbearyt5222]

@@sam-tr6ub I was always the panda profile pic guy back in the Xbox 360 days.

[@declanshinn4540]

@@sam-tr6ub CULTURES WEREN’T OPINIONS

[@raoularte]

Magnificent video, fantastic playing and very, very helpful. I got this pedal today as a present and I love it. Kudos on the good work, thanks a lot!

[@SRguitar]

Thank you very much 😊

[@PetiteLameque]

When I was playing guitar in my younger days, I was using 2x Rats. I was playing mostly heavy doom / stoner stuff. I had a Rat 2, Ram Head Big Muff and Turbo Rat. One Rat was used as a mild distortion AC/DC kind of tone and the other one was used as a boost, kinda like a Tube Screamer or Super Overdrive. Many people don’t think about the Rat that way, but it can be a really sweet fat boost! My lead sound was the Rat boosting the Big Muff and everything in the house was shaking!

[@boolosboi7503]

That is the exact set-up I am using now. I was inspired by Corgan’s Siamese Dream rig (which was an Op-Amp Big Muff being boosted by an MXR Distortion II). I found I love the mix of a Ram’s Head Big Muff with the fat boost of Rat beneath.

[@kylemacdonald6498]

Dude I just discovered the same set up. It's amazing!!! Big Muff PI and a rat! Killer tones!

[@moustachio334]

I guess the filter really tightens the Muff up (giggity). I haven’t tried this yet but I want to now.

[@ep9229]

Many years ago a friend had a rackmount RAT that was basically two circuits in one rackmount box. Same thing, set one up for crunch, the other to boost that crunch into smoother leads.

[@KzZk-ye9gp]

That’s what trey azagthoth still uses

[@ObscuredJellybelly]

Great demo! It's super useful that you show how the pedal sounds in a mix, that's something I really miss in most guitar demos. My Rat's on the way, can't wait :)

[@SRguitar]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@riffsnoleads]

I still love the HM2 as my main "kick the amp in the face" pedal but the Rat will always be KING.

[@johnparkin8394]

Great video. Great playing and at long last someone who uses an SG and plays chords and riffs and not just shredding or demoing Fuzz tones on single coils guitars alone. I've been using The RAT pedal now for some time. I use a Gibson SG with the RAT through both a marshall 1987x plexi and an Orange OR50 run together. There is in my opinion no finer tone. I use mine as a stand alone Fuzz and it makes me wonder why I ever even went spending money on boutique pedals when the RAT nails it all for a fraction of the price. Plus the pedal has such pedigree too.

[@miket.220]

What you are doing at 03:07 with the overdrive sounds is exactly how I use to use my old Rat2 from 1987. It did the best OD sounds, just pushing the signal right up to the point of breakup so that it was clean-ish during regular picking and struming, but if you whacked the strings, it clipped. Glorious. Haven't had a Rat in a long time, might need to get a new one.

[@DoomTones]

This info should come as "how to use" instructions when you buy a RAT. Thanks a lot, I've had the rat for years but didn't know some of these setups!

[@SRguitar]

Thank you! Glad my video helped you 😊

[@jessicalohmeyer9508]

TYSM! I am new to electric and your video is helping me grasp all these new tone terms and what they actually sound like. Rock on!

[@VitorOHugo]

Dude, i am a very happy Proco Rat 2 owner thanks to you. As a strat player, you covered every tips i need in your video. Thank you so much.

[@richardellis8808]

Got one on the way. I only buy pedals now, and I am collecting some of the all time classics. Great video to show how to get the most out of it.

[@nekroport7293]

Fun easy and straightforward demo you nailed it very entertaining i do own one i guess I’ll give it a revisit and try out all of your settings thanks buddy keep on rocking and making more content like this 🤘🏻

[@gdvsbp]

This is the Rat video I’ve been searching for - I’m sold! Thanks for such broad demos of singles and humbuckers.

[@philippegarnier4775]

First video where you really show what is to expect from a proco rat ! And thanks for showing how to use it as boost. Best pedal ever made. Great video, thanks

[@SRguitar]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks 😊

[@shancabezas]

You can't go wrong with this pedal. Very versatile tone. I still have that pedal until now.

[@Ryane994]

Bought one of these yesterday didn’t realise it had a different power input to my other pedals 🤦‍♂️ ordered an adapter can’t wait to test it out

[@franksamps1924]

thanks for the set up ideas for the RAT. I just built one and wanted hear how close mine sounded and this video not only did that, but also has great pedal settings. I got the filter backward tho, mine is brighter to the right, oh well.. it reacts like a tone knob. great vid

[@angusorvid8840]

Great demo. It's nice to see someone demoing the Rat who understands the pedal and how it works. It's certainly one of the best distortion pedals ever created. While I don't use one now (I sold my last Rat a year ago) I think it's great for classic rock and British metal, especially with Marshall style amps. It feels good to play it, very organic. But you really have to dial in this pedal carefully, it's very hairy. Now, there are pedals with way more gain these days, but they don't have the feel, the soul that the Rat does. I think they work best with humbuckers and testing it with the SG and Marshall Origin was a smart move. It's the opposite of a transparent overdrive, like a Tube Screamer or Boss SD-1.

[@samathanwataguan]

Agreed. I sold mine 10 years ago through total misunderstanding of the unit.

[@dmanorozco]

Excellent video. I really loved the way you showed how versatile the RAT pedal is.

[@SRguitar]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@andikaramadhan376]

The demo that i am looking for..not just busting through random blues scale and shredding..great playing and explanation!

[@betokkkjjj]

I will never see a rat review more complete and well done than yours 🤠😎

[@sixxbrisbane]

Awesome!!! I own this pedal and have always found it intimidating. This video made my life easier

[@SRguitar]

Thank you!

[@zeke--]

I can't believe how good it sounds!!! especially in a mix!

[@SRguitar]

Yeah it’s really good in different ways

[@enuxs]

Currently going thru all iconic overdrive / distortion pedals - a 2000s RAT comes today to me. Looks like I will have fun. Great video! 👍🙂

[@jimhahn2728]

I have 2 of them. I haven't used them in quite a while. I had forgotten what they sound like. Now I have to pull one out and play with it. I have a 1976 Marshall Master Model Lead II. An old leatherface with a matching 1960A cabinet. It's a screamer of an amp.

[@Mssrmikeone]

NICE job

[@alexbumpers]

Awesome demo/trip - love the track you recorded for the mix demo, great stuff!

[@CatharticGuitar]

Dude, I love hearing you play! I was going to get a Tube Screamer, but now I’m convinced a RAT is all I need.

[@russelldehart2362]

Great video Sasha! This was the 2nd pedal I ever bought way back in 1989 (or was it 1990?, or 1991?) Whatever the case it's an old friend that keeps coming back to my board. This has me reconsidering a pedalboard setup that occurred to me several years ago, have three Rat pedals each set for a different sound and use a pedal switcher to select which sound I want.

[@ShirazSimonian1980]

Great demonstration of the versatility of the pedal

[@josebonetrico3081]

Great video Sasha!! Got mine since 1990, still with me after 32 years, one of the best pedals money can buy.

[@sixxbrisbane]

2 minutes to midnight!! Wasn’t expecting that. Epic!!

[@Imokyourok440]

I have found that the Rat is really really good at the Def Leppard style distorted arpeggios. Really clear and sounds great for that type of thing.

[@willcarmack1242]

Just like many of the comments below...Great job on the demo ....very informative!!! Answered many of my questions about the pedal...thanks again for the help....and you kill it my friend...all of the demos ripped...keep em coming...

[@ggallinvevo84]

Hahaha I’ve had one of these for a few months now and you just gave me a few different ways of looking at this thing. Thanks man.

[@SRguitar]

Great that I could help you with the video 😁

[@jordandangelo180]

I see RAT, I click! Subscribed as well! Great video. I think more videos need to be made on the RAT as it is a super versatile pedal, maybe the most versatile dirt pedal out there and unbeatable for the price. $65 for a pedal that’s been used by some of the best players of all time and still currently is being used by guys like Tom Bukovac because you can’t deny when something sounds good, it sounds good. The price is irrelevant when it comes to the RAT. You really can get a perfect rhythm crunch tone, a fuzz type tone and a soaring lead tone. If all you had was a good amp, one guitar and just the RAT for a rock gig you would be able to play a whole show with it. Great video and topic.

[@SRguitar]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the video :) Yeah the RAT is such a versatile and underestimated pedal!

[@ScienceofLogicTV]

These are great tones! I was wondering what amp you were using, because it absolutely fits my taste. Then I realized it was a Marshall Origin 20H and this once more shows that I did everything correctly when I chose my Marshall as my go-to amp.

[@nickatto9225]

I love the double-cut junior on the wall behind you!! So sick!

[@kenjitvofficial9009]

The best review I've ever seen for proco rat ! good thing is you add the sound into backtrack !

[@JinxRemoving]

Absolutely nailed it with this demo, great job. Really good choice of amp too, so nice to hear a RAT with a Marshall & Greenback IRs rather than the usual Fenders.

[@SRguitar]

Thank you! 😊

[@PageandPlant4Life]

i think graham coxon used marshall, tele, and RAT combo

[@sathira_anuk5179]

Sounds better with Vox ac15 hw

[@Hominid999]

Outstanding video production, and musicianship! Gave me goosebumps.

[@zwoelf160]

Super gutes Demo. Ich habe mir gleich mal ne Ratte bestellt. Klasse Sound, auch toll gespielt. 👏👍

[@jameswilson3554]

Awesome demo..shread on man wonderful tone.i believe this pedal is exactly what I've been needing..thank you 2thumbs up great video..

[@Bob.Silverstein]

Great video and I love your performances. I've got an original RAT and you have given me some new ideas about it. I have generally used it for only one of the possible purposes.

[@bo1932]

i have never had a pedal before and i got it as a gift and im SO DAMN EXCITED. ITS AWESOME.

[@christocaster]

Finally an excellent demo of the Rat2. Thanks a lot man great sound and playing great...

[@beanguitar06]

Thanks for video, i've just decided my new guitar pedal. So, it's so incredibal rock tone... Like low, high, fuzz and boost!!

[@andrewstendahl36]

Demoing this with the lowest drive setting as an Overdrive was something I hadn't thought about. It sounds perfect in overdrive and distortion. The JHS 3 series distortion pedal is based on the Rat but it felt really tight and really bright on the strum, the Tioga Road Cycling Animals Pedal is also a Rat clone, I also had that pedal for a little while. It had a loose gain feel with a delayed sag feel on the strum. Getting the original ProCo Rat is the only way to go. In the videos on the channel called Shnobel, that guy Doctor Guitar demos the new Lil Rat Pedal and this full size pedal. He mentions that the two pedals have a different midrange tones. Again, buying these new full sized Rat 2 pedals are the way to go. Unless of course you can afford a vintage Rat. Preferably with some rust on the case providing some contrast to mix in with the new school pedals on your pedalboard

[@pauliezx5134]

Outstanding playing/demo . Best I’ve seen. I too highly recommend rat2 and dirty rat!

[@Happyland_Motel_Gamer_Cat]

The cam angles on the Fret when playing is the best i have seen on youtube.

[@-Pol-]

I'm a low gain/overdrive player and managed happily without a distortion for years. At last I decided to fill the gap with some sort of "standard" distortion, however I couldn't bring myself to get a DS-1 so opted for an Little Bear R.Attack rat clone instead. Whilst I do like its distorted tones, I'm even more impressed at how good an overdrive it makes, especially in TurboRat mode with LED clipping. It could easily stand in for my Blues Driver OD and yet it gets fuzzy enough to boot my Muff clone off my board too. It pairs exceptionally well with my Bad Monkey with its high and low frequency tone shaping. Such a versatile pedal! The Rat should be recommended to anyone starting electric guitar.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Finally a review that does this pedal justice. Definitely more inclined to pick this up now.

[@bigstick5278]

All the distortion and OD pedals I've accumulated over the decades, the Trusty Rat always winds up back on the board.. It just does so much, it is a very versatile pedal for most applications. I'll Sometimes run my Bjfe Honey Bee in front of it for a little frattyness.

[@grahamcharlton9704]

Excellent. Really useful to have good examples of its range.

[@jlostboy]

Best RAT demo in KZbin! Thank you sir!

[@dominicmangone9920]

This is the best review vid of this pedal I've seen, really nice, and am buying one for sure

[@SRguitar]

Thanks! Have fun with the Rat😁

[@jordandangelo180]

Best $65 you’ll ever spend. This thing is so versatile and sounds absolutely killer. I’ve heard stories from famous players about Jeff Beck using just a RAT on the floor for and entire gig and I believe it. Jared James Nichols also said he’s played gigs just using the RAT as his only pedal.

[@jonbenedict920]

This was great.. I loved that you played the guitar on its own and then put it in a mix context. I wish more people would do that. Also, your playing is great too. Great job!

[@philcunningham67]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video , the content is just wot helps me learn wot I want to know .. I just bought one so this helps a lot thanks

[@rburks4253]

Great demo! I had a rat, didn’t know how to use it and sold it. Now I’m gonna buy one …. Thanks

[@CablesForClouds]

Sounds so sick...just built one and loving it a lot! 😁 Nice sounds 🍻 👏

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Great video Man! I got a Rat when they appeared in London in early 80s. We played surf 60s garage punky dance music and the "RAT" got me that Ventures tone through a Hiwatt 100 which was great but too clean. The Rat is like a wah wah or graphic EQ in that it is an essential tool for any situation. Don't have to play heavy rock/metal on it just use as a zingy boost pedal for dull sounding amps. Cool!

[@aldrinclementina4297]

I was always skeptical about buying it to use on my pedal. I do play worship songs most of the time. But there are some songs that's asking for a distortion more than an overdrive pedal. I think I will go and order one Thanks for sharing

[@michaelmattson3515]

Like the boost. I had a original and sold it. Got a new RAT ll. Love it.

[@donwade-di8ny]

Without a doubt the best demo of the rat pedal on the internet!!!

[@louissanderson719]

Thank you for playing chords! Very much appreciated 😂. Sounds killer

[@SRguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@JulienFERRAN]

Ahah true ! We don’t all play gigs with 2hours of solo and noodling haha

[@neliort]

Best demo i have seen for the rat!

[@joeurbanowski321]

Thanks man..!! I’ve had the RAT for a while.. but didn’t understand how to use it mainly as an OD… now I know.. lol..👍🏼❤️

[@vfrbike]

I love mine too, as a boost it just shines!

[@exterC0ffx]

Dial back the gain, you'll clean it up. Ride the volume and your on your way! I have many OD and distortion pedals but a great combo is the Broadcast as OD, Keeley super AT Mod, then the RAT. ALL run pre the amps in glorious stereo for a wide approach. Works a treat.

[@MeraPyra]

Thanks for sharing this man!! Quite insightful and answered all my questions! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@SRguitar]

Glad i could help 😊

[@hgostos]

Those overdriven tones (i.e., low gain settings) are extremely musical. Thank you!

[@robhowe8353]

I bought this pedal based on your demo. Thanks for the vid.

[@timeconsumer325]

I LOVE the rat. I’m sure some of the boutique ones are great, but the regular old rat that you can buy for 80 bucks or whatever is amazing. I wouldn’t mind one with a more standard power plug, though

[@mikecorey8370]

Great demo. Your video convinced me to get one.

[@tyrantstomper]

Rat boosting into a hot JCM800 is my favorite tone right now. Great playing, friend.

[@hipcriticalTV]

Hey! Awesome video and as others have said…. WAY MORE HELPFUL than so many of the others out there. Question - what is the signal chain? Is the pedal ahead of the amp in all the scenarios? I was wondering particularly on the boost if the pedal is first in the chain or perhaps on an effects loop (after the other drive)?

[@derwood7305]

Liked & Subscribed! Awesome video, great playing. I own a Rat...this actually makes me wanna buy a 2nd, and use two together!

[@blgoard]

Excellent demo. Just ordered one.

[@danilobatista1329]

Thanks, Great tone, you did Awesome Riffs to demonstrate the Pedal! I been looking for a Fuzz Pedal, been wondering bettween BIG MUFF and RAT , liked that you showed us All Versatility in one Pedal. I was most impressed when you used as BOOSTER, added a great sound to it! What's your Thoughtson any BIG MUFF, have you used it ever!? thank you

[@kilgoretrout321]

I have a Rat clone that sounds "off". Other videos don't offer as complete a look at the Rat pedal as your video. I'm psyched to compare this to my pedal and see if I can dial that sucker in or if I need to chuck it in the bin. Thanks!

[@AlejandroViana.]

The best video I've ever seen. Thanks a lot. And kind regards from Chile.

[@eokaa885]

that fuzz jam was tiiiiight super helpful dude

[@marcelodonati]

Fantastic video! The Rat is the only pedal that I never take off my collection!

[@pissedatyoko]

im learning classic rock solos and need something to beef up tone..all the other videos saw are metal head ghastly distorted tone. You dial in just what was looking for. You show us the full utility too. picking one up today can also use this video to make sure its working properly. Thanks

[@clemenmanalo5745]

great demo sir! now i can decide to buy this pedal .. thanks for the demo..

[@SRguitar]

Thank you very much :) Glad I could help you with that

[@JulienFERRAN]

Very cool thanks for this demo ! One of the best I heard ! It would be nice to add a p90 junior type to the comparative sound ! Thx !

[@vanjarvinen7520]

Excellent demonstration! Thank you, Sascha

[@SRguitar]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@cpamiseso]

Among other things, be it the real analog ones, or the simulator digital ones, Rat style is always my go to. Very versatile usage and capability indeed.

[@dimensionaldive]

Great demonstrasjon, and cool songs. Thanx 🤌

[@sinisterminister9920]

I have Metal Zones, Metal Muffs, Big Muffs, Small Muffs, HM2s, Fullbore metal, super fuzzes, etc. and the ProCo is by far the cheapest one at $60. And to this day has seen more play time than any other pedal. It is very versatile. High Volume, Rolled off Distortion = nice warm bluesy overdriven sound. While Lower Volume, High Distortion you get full on Sludge/Death Metal tones. Not to mention a TS9 in front. I’ve been using it lately in front of my Dirty Channel. And it does everything I want. People don’t realize how much tone is at your fingertips with this thing. You can go through a million combos of Low Volume/High Distortion off the RaT while carving out a whole new tone while rolling the Amp’s Gain and Volume up and down creating different combos of tone you would have never thunk before. I’m actually in the market for a similar pedal to the RaT that isn’t a clone or mod that does it even better. Any recommendations?

[@markhaneklaus282]

Thank you, should get one you showed it is good and if j. Scofield uses it it must be good. I like the simplicicity of the three knobs and i already have a Ts 9 which is very good in front of it (as showed by someone else)

[@saintmichaelbarbellclub7253]

Crazy how versatile and how good sounding this old and relatively cheap pedal sounds

[@jsres838]

Enjoyed the demo very much. Thanks!

[@SRguitar]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@crowhaven200]

Awesome and simple! Thank you!

[@erikr968]

Had a Rat 2 as my first pedal back in the day. Could never get any useful tone out of it since I played into cheap clean solid state amps (it was all I had...). Playing it into an edge of breakup or slighly crunchy tube amp makes all the difference. Great tones here!