MXR M104 Distortion+ vs ProCo RAT 2
The MXR M104 Distortion+ and the ProCo RAT 2 are both pedals sharing gritty, saturated, full. The ProCo RAT 2 leans low gain and fuzzy.
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Blended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.47% — somewhat different
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Genres both listings are associated with.- Metal
- Hard Rock
- Rock
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Derived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.- gritty
- saturated
- full
- mid-forward
MXR M104 Distortion+
MXR · pedal
ProCo RAT 2
Proco · pedal
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Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$88via Reverb
The MXR Distortion+ is a simple two-knob distortion pedal built around an op-amp gain stage and diode clipping, dating to the mid-1970s and among the earliest dedicated distortion pedals made. It produces a thick, buzzy, somewhat fuzzy-edged distortion rather than a smooth, amp-like overdrive, with a straightforward Output and Distortion control set that keeps it simple to dial in. It suits players wanting a raw, vintage-voiced distortion or a boost pushed into another drive or amp for added grit, and has remained a budget-friendly staple for rock, metal, and hard rock tones for decades.
The ProCo RAT 2 is a classic hard-clipping distortion pedal whose circuit dates to the late 1970s, built around an LM308 op-amp and silicon diode clipping. Its three controls are Distortion, Filter, and Volume, with the distinctive Filter knob acting as a reversed tone control that runs from bright and cutting to dark and warm. Capable of far more than its name suggests, it spans gritty low-gain overdrive, thick midrange distortion, and nearly fuzz-like saturation while keeping notes present and clear even at high gain. It is a staple of punk, grunge, garage, stoner, doom, and alternative rock, and has been used by players from Jeff Beck and Thom Yorke to countless heavy and experimental guitarists. Dynamic and harmonically rich, it cleans up with guitar volume and stays articulate rather than overly compressed.
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Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- Blues
- Alternative Rock
- Experimental
- Punk
- Grunge
- low gain
- fuzzy
- dynamic
- transparent
- sustaining