Fortin launches Natas, its first dedicated distortion pedal

October 25, 2023 · 4 sources

Fortin released the Natas, which Guitar World describes as the company's first dedicated distortion pedal, on October 25, 2023. The pedal is based on a 2010-dated tube amp of the same name, which Guitar World says is now discontinued¹. Fortin's product page says the pedal brings "the authentic Fortin tone to a dirt pedal, for the very first time"².

The circuit is analog and runs on a 9V DC center-negative external power supply only, which is not included²³. Fortin lists a steady draw of 150mA, but says the pedal needs an initial inrush current of at least 600mA to power up; there is no battery clip because, in Fortin's words, a battery would last about an hour². Fortin gives dimensions of 4.8 by 2.64 by 1.6 inches (122 by 67 by 39.5mm) excluding knobs and switches, a shipping weight of 0.4kg, US construction and a limited one-year warranty².

Controls are an On footswitch, a Kill footswitch that adds an extra gain stage, Bass, Mid and Treble knobs on active circuitry, Girth and Grind tone-shaping knobs, and a Mid Shape switch for a scooped or humped midrange². Guitar World describes the control set as a three-band EQ, master Volume and Gain parameters, and a Mid Shift toggle, with the Kill footswitch next to the bypass footswitch¹. Delicious Audio describes two gain stages (Volume and Gain) and says Girth and Grind filter high and low frequencies before the distortion stage⁴. Fortin's page lists no Volume or Gain knobs².

The Natas Distortion is available now for $299, according to Guitar World¹; Fortin's page lists $299.99 USD². Fortin says the pedal was voiced to get as close as possible to the tone and feel of the amp².