Boss DS-1 VS. ProCo Rat 2 - Guitar Pedal Sound Comparison

Boss DS-1
Thomann: redir.love/thoprod/102371?off...
Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/Jz70Vv
Amazon: geni.us/gh7Al
ProCo Rat 2:
Thomann: redir.love/thoprod/185691?off...
Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkYPvO
Amazon: geni.us/dllC2
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Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
1:22 Low Gain Comparison
3:12 Low Gain Tune
4:15 Mid-High Gain Comparison
6:03 Mid-High Gain Tune
7:08 Boost Comparison
8:29 Boost Tune
9:48 Conclusion

[@SRguitar]

Boss DS-1 Thomann: redir.love/thoprod/102371?offid=1&affid=398 Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/Jz70Vv Amazon: geni.us/gh7Al ProCo Rat 2: Thomann: redir.love/thoprod/185691?offid=1&affid=398 Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkYPvO Amazon: geni.us/dllC2

[@LordAahzz]

This video is a great reminder of how important it is to listen in a mix. Listening to the pedals by themselves, I tend to prefer the DS-1...but once the band kicks in and it's sitting in a mix, I greatly prefer the Rat.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

Yeah really makes you think how unhelpful pedal demos are for bands.

[@BusterRoonie]

@@blakemcnamara9105agree

[@josefk.122]

I loved my DS-1 as a beginner, but I have to say, the EQ on the RAT sounds so much better. I’d argue the DS-1 is really good for punchier genres like pop punk and rock and roll, and the RAT sounds better for what I’m trying to play: doom metal, black metal and classic 90’s grunge

[@satevo462]

After playing guitar for 30 years or so, I finally got a Rat for the very first time and I love the versatility of it. It can sound like SO MANY other pedals and has a great low gain sound and a great saturated Fuzz sound. I'm loving it.

[@dagony7383]

Boost it with a tubescreamer or other od and it turns into a beast

[@satevo462]

@@dagony7383 Hell yeah, I got my Ibanez TS10 in front of it. It screams.

[@dagony7383]

@@satevo462 been using the rat boosted with a tubescreamer since the early 80s.I play it through the clean channel on a fender 100watt solid state...plays any genre of hard rock and metal...the rat is the best distortion pedal ever made!!

[@sixxbrisbane]

I have both. I have no idea what I’m doing but all your videos truly help me feel more educated and disciplined. For me it’s the Rat. Thank you

[@SRguitar]

Happy to hear that!

[@PedroMachadoBorges]

This is not only elucidative but also enjoyable. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@SRguitar]

I am glad to know that, thank you! :)

[@MrGuitardedOne]

Got a DS-1 which has been my main distortion for almost 10 years. I stack it with an OD in front, currently an SD-1. MXR Distortion + and Rat is on my to-buy list. Just to have them and try out.

[@CatharticGuitar]

Great comparison. I too love them both. How could you not?!

[@TheCleaner6969]

2 very different shelved eq pedals. The pickups you use with a DS-1 have a huge impact on the tone it likes to see lower gain pups. The RAT can get you into fuzz too it's also more mid focused & cuts better. I think the RAT is more versatile.

[@19VikingHero74]

I just got my Pro Co Rat 2. After dialing in my desired settings, I must say that this is the sound that I've been searching for. I had the Boss DS 1, but it just didn't fit my style. Thank you for the compared demo.

[@dagony7383]

Boost the rat with a tubescreamer or any type of od and it turns into a beast!!

[@deadlegs187]

Get both. I use the ds1 for nirvana/ Jane's addiction. And the rat for Metallica and doom metal. Both brilliant at what they do.

[@piedpeter1]

Thanks for doing this compàrisom. I still think these pedals sound even better when going into slightly to moderately overdriven amp and not into clean amp.

[@tinroof4816]

A loose rule is Rats go with Fender amps because they need mids and DS-1s go with Marshalls that have mids already. But if you need an all in one the Rat is more versatile (overdrive/distortion/fuzz.)

[@dagony7383]

I'm 58 been playing metal since I was 13 and have had both models,vintage and current and it's always been the rat hands down..ds1 has always sounded way too thin for me.but everyone's taste is different so pick what's best for you.....Metallica's kill em all album was recorded with the rat by the way.boost mine with a tubescreamer through a 100 watt fender solid state on clean channel,it's a beast!!!

[@brama.s.k.a3212]

which one do you prefer or is more suitable? because both are legends. I have a DS1 but am still curious about other distortions to satisfy my ear and to match my cheap guitar.

[@preciousmousse]

Great review! I like the nastiness of the DS-1.

[@James-eg3nf]

Both circuits are awesome and useful in their own way. I use my DS-1 stacked with an MXR Sugar Drive and can get huge pallet of tones this way. I would assume the Rat could be used the same way.

[@martingregory5955]

Just bought the Mooer Black Secret(clone of the Rat) Has a turbo mode so deeper so another option and cheaper than both. I love it!

[@johannesweber1347]

Hi Sascha , was ist das fürn Amp den du benutzt hast? Klingt großartig!

[@ddl508]

both great

[@nstalthebastard]

The Rat2 just sounds cleaner and better to me. I think I will go with that one. Great review + #loveandHUNDREDS

[@dagony7383]

Boost my rat with a tubescreamer,it's a beast!!!

[@ashfordp676]

This is probably the best a DS-1 ever sounded. You have great equipment. I can't stand that pedal, especially because of the volume drop.

[@timbuk1126]

The DS-2 is way better

[@ashfordp676]

@@timbuk1126 never heard of it. Can share a video? I'm totally into the OD-2r, not so much about the tone, but how 'present' it is in live situation human ears

[@waltercoyle6393]

Isn't that why the DS-1 has a volume 'Level" knob to achieve unity?

[@marcofioravanti4176]

Thank you for the informative comparison! I like and have both. I share the views you shared in the video.. But I would like to add a graphic or parametric EQ to it. Because sometimes I want the DS1 to be less scooped or the Rat to be less nasal. To concentrate on ONE frequency to boost or reduce, I can recommend the very affordable Artec SE-PEQ Parametric Equalizer. This one also can do a kinda colourized, general cleanboost as well, for all "volume drop" sufferers out there! I also want to remain flexible and not commit myself to modding. Wow - now there are already three pedals needed... 😀 Dankeschön für den Aussagekräftigen Vergleich! Ich mag und habe Beide. Ich teile die Ansichten, die Du im Beitrag mitgeteilt hast. Aber für mich darf gerne noch ein graphischer oder parametrischer EQ dazu. Denn manchmal möchte ich den DS1 weniger scooped oder die Rat weniger nasal. Wenn man sich auf einen einzigen Frequenzbereich zum Boosten oder Vermindern konzentrieren will, kann ich hierfür den günstigen Artec SE-PEQ Parametric Equalizer empfehlen. Dieser kann auch als ein allgemeiner, colorierter Cleanboost genutzt werden, für Alle, die an "Volume Drop" leiden. Zudem möchte ich flexibel bleiben und mich nicht durch modden festlegen. Wow - nun sind es schon drei benötigte Pedale... 😀

[@ThaiThom]

I prefer the Rat in a mix but I did have fun with the DS-1 in the 80s.

[@caelenselke-minogue]

Also you can boost a rat with a tube screamer run with gain at 0 and maxed out volume.

[@octtrinittolavg]

Just one thing: a lot people here that Rat has better fuzz pedal characteristics than DS-1 - I wouldn't agree. I prefer Rat distortion, but if we talk about fuzz role, it's more noticeable on DS-1, at least IMO.

[@jamesblack5972]

Judging by this video, I'd choose the DS-1. The Rat is both harsher on the hi end, and muddier at the same time. I'm really not liking some of the frequencies I'm hearing from the Rat. That said, at times it sounds better.

[@boreed5734]

I have the DS-1 I can't get it to sound the way I want maybe it's just me I was thinking of buying the rat to see the differences so you doing it for me

[@chazbarrientos7691]

Rat is versatile. But DS-1 has an iconic fizz and tone Character to a specific era that brings me back to a certain period❤

[@patmclaughlin6726]

Is it ok to have and switch between both + a Big Muff on a pedalboard to get a specific tone of each while playing live?

[@michaelsnydermusic]

Whatever sounds good to you is okay. Even more so, if it sounds original it’s even better. Stacking of pedals and fuzz pedals is very common. Make sure you switch the order around to find the best sound. Where they are paced will have a huge impact on your tone.

[@sixxbrisbane]

I have both. I use the rat for my bass

[@AliceInChains98]

what about turbo tube screamer + rat 2 + bigmuff pi??? it will work? i have a tube screamer and the big muff, and i was thinking about getting a proco rat 2 or a ds1, but now i think i will have the proco rat 2

[@noirelectrique8782]

6:32 the rat is crazy, this muddy sound is perfect

[@filmfunken803]

Nice review!🙂 I bet your cat prefers the Rat(I saw the tail😁)!

[@SRguitar]

Thank you :) haha yeah she's more the Rat fan 😁

[@brucebaldy]

The DS1 is mor of a rusty scapel sound and the Rat is like angle iron rusted and coated in gravelly tar. I like it.

[@Ihsan-vo6uc]

Exactly what is in my head, "coated in a gravely tar" 😂, is the icing on the cake which the Rat have.

[@Thirdgen83]

The DS-1 has too much high-end (like maybe 10k or higher) that cannot be rolled back with the tone control. And I know this because I have one. I don't use it anymore. I use a Tube Screamer for boost and soft overdrive.

[@jamescourt2842]

Both great pedals to be fair I want to say sonically that Rat 2 sounds better but the only reason I'm not big fan of it is literally just where jack top mounts are. Such bloody pain if you've got everything going right to left an then you get two sockets on the top all I can think now is “Great more patch cables” 😂😅

[@CC-fi3pp]

The RAT is an overdrive and it can do anything from blues to metal. It fuzzes better then a big muff and it boosts better then a klon - the RAT is better then any boutique pedal you can buy. Most underrated circuit ever.

[@booitsnick]

And one of the most argued about too. And also if your a rat nerd you need to find a Proco rat tail you will thank me later

[@fixedgear37]

How is it under rated? One of the most copied, most used and most collected pedals of all time..

[@bassyey]

​@@fixedgear37 People always misuse the word underrated.

[@galogarzonbenavides1021]

Bro, Dr. Distorto from line6 is truly underrated, and what a pedal that is!

[@BusterRoonie]

@@fixedgear37was gonna make the same response. 🤦

[@geraldmoore622]

I agree. The Rat has a little more musical tone

[@AntonStratocaster]

The rat sounds thicker but it does very well also in low gain so the rat seems more versatile.

[@A9_Chord]

Any tips to make ds1 sound thicker? I want rat but i cant afford

[@AntonStratocaster]

@@A9_ChordClose the tone control

[@HavocMusic1759]

@@A9_Chord Boost the bass and mids cut the treble.

[@silvietto338]

Great comparison. I prefer the rat ! Thank you for sharing

[@SRguitar]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@firstnamenonapplicable5138]

Ds 1 sounds really bad in isolation but I feel like it mixes better, just a thought

[@thomasr.5443]

Hi Sascha! I don't like that mid scoop of the DS-1 which is good to hear in your very first example (low gain) so I have modded mine. Replaced the Rohm opamp with a jrc one, Put LEDs into the Feedback path and some Standard 5007s into the clipping Position. Also modified the Tone stack to smth between the big Muff pi and a TS808. Now gain goes from no distortion at all to a super heavy metal distortion. Tone ist much more middy.

[@SRguitar]

That‘s pretty cool! I also thought about modding the DS-1 🤔

[@thomasr.5443]

@@SRguitar yeah, I can recommend it. Distortion all the way down and level the all the way up it makes a great booster. I like it like that in front of my Harley Benton Extreme Metal to give it that little extra punch! Speaking of HB: can't wait to get my DC-580 (hopefully) this week. I am curious how it behaves with the british truetone!

[@antonyrobinson9973]

When you play with the mix, I prefer the Rat sound.

[@jcwoodstl]

The Rat is far better and has considerably more usable sounds. I bought a DS-1 in 1994 and still plug it in from time to time and it is a fun pedal, but the Rat will do almost everything you need. If you put a tube screamer in front of it those two pedals will cover every gain stage you will ever need.

[@albertoshiguematsu6921]

I really never liked boss DS1 but in a mix it sounds better than Rat

[@skiddzie9291]

you didn't match the volume on the two pedals

[@wadia2000]

やっぱりRATかな？カリッと乾燥し、ヌケが良く開放的な感じが実に良い　 BOSSは綺麗なんだが凄く人工的な音がする　それとちょっと籠もった感じもするな。　 BOSS→新品のギターの音　 RAT→ビンテージギターの音　 って感じかな？

[@USTTRM]

両方のペダルのサウンドが大きく異なることに同意します。非常に優れたヘッドフォンでサンプルを聴きましたが、Rat は非常に自然でヴィンテージなサウンドでした。このためにRatを購入しました。その自然なトーンについて話し合うために、自分自身でそれをレビューするかもしれません。

[@sergeramic]

The Rat sounded like a "pro", the ds-1...i dont know.....

[@stormyandcold]

For me, it's kind of like Nirvana vs early Radiohead sounds.

[@DiosDragon1111]

ds1

[@brenomafioso1977]

rat = Marshall ds1 = boggie ?

[@VirtousoForGod]

The Ds1 is great but the Rat sounds better. The Rat usually wins these pedal comparisons.

[@yurita1984]

Oh.... Rat cut so many low end... That's too bad

[@perro_8688]

DS1 sounds like sand and Rat sounds like gravel

[@andyvitali7510]

Was the CAT looking for a RAT?

[@yiannischartzoulakis]

Definately the CUT prefer the RAT 😀

[@KzZk-ye9gp]

Two totally different pedals

[@TheJudy79]

Rat 100%

[@happyhappy85]

Rat for sure. Ds1 sounds kinda cheap in comparison

[@tuberocker69]

The ds1 is just too compressed, even at lower volumes

[@heavymetal6910]

The ds1 sounds horrendous, like somebody tearing cardboard