The MDS-1 Heavy Distortion is a distortion pedal made by Arion. It is an analog circuit, powered from a 9V DC center-negative supply, and it draws 3mA, a very light load that any standard pedalboard power supply can handle1.
Arion describes the pedal as covering a wide sweep of distortion tones: "From the softest to the hardest effect, the Heavy Distortion gives a very wide of range of distortion effects. This allows for outstanding sustain whilst distinct picking at the heaviest distortion level." In practice, that means the pedal is intended to work both as a mild, overdrive-adjacent crunch and as a full heavy distortion, while keeping individual notes distinct at its highest settings1.
Where it sits
Distortion sits between overdrive, which pushes an amp-like breakup, and fuzz, which clips the signal harder and more loosely. The MDS-1 is pitched at the distortion role, with Arion's own description emphasizing sustain and note definition at heavy settings rather than amp-style touch sensitivity1. Arion also made a stereo version of the format, the Arion SDI-1 Stereo Distortion, for players needing two outputs.
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Sources (1)
- MDS-1 Heavy Distortion by Arion, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
