How to build an awesome RAT Distortion Pedal 

True. I got it from a reputable source but--honestly--I compared my "vintage" chip to a few modern options off camera while researching this video and they all sounded good to me. Maybe a guitar aficionado could pick out the real one, but they all sounded great.

How do you recognize a fake?

@@uelude In my experience, atleast when it comes to transistors, op-amps or cmos based chips, they're either; very noisy, a completely different part with a similar functions or they simply just don't work. I've gotten really good fakes tho, but they seem to be a bit more fragile. Cheap production etc. Ebay is a gamble, but sometimes you hit the jackpot :P Resistors, leds and caps are safe to buy tho!

Thanks Joachim! And good to know about the Big Muff. I actually have a clone PCB for one of those but I've got some other builds in progress so it will be a while before I get to that.

@@LeoMakes Check out KitRae website for too much information on every variant of big muff, and AMZ Electronics for mods to the tone control.

But that's how it's always been done! Even in a DAW or plugins with a "distortion" or "grit" parameter; it's the same thing emulated in a digital environment.

I should try this combination. I think I have a Tube Screamer clone here somewhere...

I like the Hotone pedals. They are inexpensive, well-made, small, most of them are analog and they sound great!

@@LeoMakes how did it go?

You should only add them if you want a different tone from the original.

@@miko8732 thanks!

Thanks for subscribing! I compared my DIY to the vintage one off camera and they seemed very close in sound. Not totally identical, but close. I've heard the components in the RAT have changed over the years, so that might be why it sounds different from what you're used to. It would be an interesting thing to research.

LeoMakes indeed my friend, the latest version sounds very different IMO. My comment was not a slant you understand? Just a thought. Anyway, I looked at the FB group you linked and will hopefully follow it through very soon.

That's a really good idea. I think a highpass filter could help a distorted guitar shine above a bassist in a mix/live situation in my opinion.

Not if you screw up the build. 😂

Hi Benjamin. I'm afraid I can't give specific advice to everyone as that would take up too much time, however, I did make two videos that might be really helpful for you: How to DIY Properly (a story of preparation) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Kz7R0pIp3PU.html How do Solder Through Hole Parts ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pUCHd3NYS9Q.html Beyond that, I would strongly recommend starting with a "full kit" if you're new so that you can have everything you need in one place. This saves you from having to find the individual components which can be a bit of work. Do a full kit or two and work your way up to more "from scratch" projects. Thanks for watching and good luck!

I did some research and found a reputable UK dealer that sells only NOS parts. You might want to check there: www.langrex.co.uk/

@@LeoMakes thanks.. I'll keep an eye on that site

Ever tried to use Google?? It is no problem to find LM308.

@@kimhansen6384 No shit? All I find is chinese knockoffs. GLHF finding Motorola made LM308N on random Google search

@@onkelberra3166 Try here, they are about $3 a piece: elektronik-lavpris.dk/p125453/lm308n-operational-amplifiers-dip-8/ And there a lots of other places you can find them. They are cheap standard opamps that you can find everywhere. Or use an eqvivalent - it doesn´t matter much, TL071 / TL081 are probably better, and much easier to source. All the hype about special opamps - most of them sounds the same. LM308 is just a shitty old opamp, maybe even a LM741 would work fine, but it would probably be a bit noisy. I would try a TL071. Those were the ones used by Marshall in their solid state circuitry, for at good reason. They are FET based, and distort nicely.