The NUX Recto Distortion is a Nux distortion pedal, currently around $34.91. Close alternatives include the Roland ST-2 Power Stack and the Mooer Ultra Drive MK II. It pairs well with the Mesa Boogie F-30 1x12 Combo and the Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier.
NUX Recto Distortion
Nux · pedal
The NUX Recto Distortion is a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier-inspired distortion pedal from NUX Effects delivering modern high-gain Rectifier tone in a compact enclosure at an accessible price. The Recto provides the tight, thick saturation associated with the Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier amplifier.
- metal
- modern
- distortion
- hard rock
- rectifier tone
- thick
- tight
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the NUX Recto Distortion is commonly used in
- Metal
- Hard Rock
- Heavy Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Christian Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Djent
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Death Metal
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the NUX Recto Distortion
Mesa Boogie F-30 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
31% matchNUX Recto Distortion leans into Mesa-style amps, precisely the platform Mesa Boogie F-30 1x12 Combo wants
Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier
Mesa Boogie
31% matchMesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier is voiced for Mesa-style amps — NUX Recto Distortion gives it exactly that
Aguilar Tone Hammer 210 Combo
Aguilar
tonal matchAguilar Tone Hammer 210 Combo's own voicing points at Mesa-style amps, and NUX Recto Distortion delivers it
Mesa Boogie Rectifier Badlander EL34/100 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchNUX Recto Distortion leans into Mesa-style amps, precisely the platform Mesa Boogie Rectifier Badlander EL34/100 Head wants
Mesa Boogie Rectifier Badlander EL34/50 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchInto NUX Recto Distortion, Mesa Boogie Rectifier Badlander EL34/50 1x12 Combo is right at home: it's built around Mesa-style amps
Mesa Boogie F-100 2x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchInto NUX Recto Distortion, Mesa Boogie F-100 2x12 Combo is right at home: it's built around Mesa-style amps
Mesa Boogie Fillmore 25 Head
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchMesa Boogie Fillmore 25 Head's own voicing points at Mesa-style amps, and NUX Recto Distortion delivers it
Mesa Boogie Mark Five:90 1x12 Combo
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchNUX Recto Distortion leans into Mesa-style amps, precisely the platform Mesa Boogie Mark Five:90 1x12 Combo wants
Pedals that stack with the NUX Recto Distortion
Electro-Harmonix Crayon
Electro-Harmonix
8% matchElectro-Harmonix Crayon leans toward transparent, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Ibanez Pentatone Preamp
Ibanez
8% matchIbanez Pentatone Preamp's own saturated character is the real reason this is worth trying
Ashdown Studio Compressor
Ashdown
6% matchWhat Ashdown Studio Compressor brings here leans toward compressed — that's worth building a pairing around
Caroline Guitar Company Somersault
Caroline Guitar Company
6% matchKeep NUX Recto Distortion's full voice out front: Caroline Guitar Company Somersault goes after NUX Recto Distortion in the signal chain so its modulated voice doesn't muddy it
Empress Echosystem
Empress
5% matchEmpress Echosystem's pristine voice goes after NUX Recto Distortion in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with NUX Recto Distortion's own full character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Keeley Halo
Keeley
5% matchKeep NUX Recto Distortion's full voice out front: Keeley Halo goes after NUX Recto Distortion in the signal chain so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Boss CE-2 Chorus
Boss
tonal matchInto NUX Recto Distortion, Boss CE-2 Chorus is right at home: it's built around Mesa-style amps
Caline CP-16 MR. Mark
Caline
tonal matchCaline CP-16 MR. Mark's own voicing points at Mesa-style amps, and NUX Recto Distortion delivers it
Boutique & premium upgrades
NuX Fireman
Nux
70% similarityShared character: compact, hard_rock, thickness
Mooer Rage Machine
Mooer
68% similarityShared character: hard_rock, thickness, distortion
Demon FX Gladiator
Demon Fx
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Empress Heavy Menace
Empress
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Carl Martin Crush Zone
Carl Martin
92% similaritysimilar tone character
NuX Metal Core
Nux
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Roland ST-2 Power Stack
Roland
72% similarityShared character: hard_rock, thickness, distortion
Mooer Ultra Drive MK II
Mooer
72% similarityShared character: hard_rock, thickness, distortion
Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition
Suhr
70% similarityShared character: hard_rock, distortion, s_build_quality
SONICAKE Black Hammer
Sonicake
69% similarityShared character: compact, hard_rock, distortion
NuX Brownie
Nux
68% similarityShared character: compact, hard_rock, thickness
Amptweaker AT Fatrock
Amptweaker
67% similarityShared character: hard_rock, thickness, distortion
See all alternatives to the NUX Recto Distortion (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the NUX Recto Distortion?+
The closest matches in character are the Roland ST-2 Power Stack, the Mooer Ultra Drive MK II, the Suhr Riot Mini Black Edition. Boutique upgrades: NuX Fireman, Mooer Rage Machine, Demon FX Gladiator.
What pairs well with the NUX Recto Distortion?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Mesa Boogie F-30 1x12 Combo, Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier, Aguilar Tone Hammer 210 Combo — NUX Recto Distortion leans into Mesa-style amps, precisely the platform Mesa Boogie F-30 1x12 Combo wants.
How much does the NUX Recto Distortion cost?+
Around $34.91 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).