The Electro-Harmonix EHX Tortion is an all-analog, JFET-driven overdrive pedal with a switchable boost circuit1. Electro-Harmonix described it as "a JFET overdrive with switchable boost," with the left-hand footswitch bringing in the boost as a fourth gain stage1. Its thick, rugged case is screen printed with graphics that look like an amplifier, and it carried a street price of $1792.
What it does
Three JFET stages provide the bulk of the Tortion's tones, controlled via the input gain knob and four pre-gain settings: low full, low tight, high full and high tight1. MusicRadar's reviewer, Mike Astley-Brown, found the core tones focus on low to medium drives and are hugely responsive to picking dynamics, running from a hint of break-up to what he called Page-esque "Plexi" sounds1.
The left-hand footswitch activates the boost circuit, which adds a fourth gain stage tweaked with the central volume control1. For players who want to bring the boost in from elsewhere on the board, there is a boost switch jack adjacent to the input jack that turns the boost on or off with a remote footswitch, wired in parallel with the onboard boost footswitch2.
Controls at a glance
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Input gain | Sets the drive through the three JFET stages1 |
| Pre-gain selector | Four settings: low full, low tight, high full, high tight1 |
| Volume (center) | Adjusts the level of the added fourth gain stage when the boost is on1 |
| Left footswitch | Activates the boost circuit1 |
| Boost switch jack | Remote boost on/off with a footswitch, in parallel with the onboard switch2 |
Power, bypass and the DI output
The Tortion runs on a 9V battery or a power supply, and Premier Guitar's reviewer noted it shipped with a 9V adapter12. Bypass is buffered rather than true bypass1.
The standout connection is an XLR DI output with cabinet simulation, which lets the pedal feed a mixing desk or recording setup directly without an amp1.
The Tortion uses buffered bypass, not true bypass, and its XLR DI output with cabinet simulation is what makes direct-to-desk use possible1.
Build and how reviewers rated it
Premier Guitar's reviewer described the Tortion's thick, rugged case as screen printed with graphics that look like an amplifier2.
On tone, MusicRadar's verdict was that for low-to-mid gain styles the EHX Tortion is "among the most natural overdrive pedals we've played," well suited to vintage dirt, while concluding it would not be a first pick for heavier styles overall1.
Guitar World's demo, presented by Bill Ruppert, shows the pedal in action and carries Electro-Harmonix's own framing of it as the company's flagship overdrive and distortion3.
Where it sits in the EHX range
The Tortion was one of many drives in the Electro-Harmonix lineup, sitting alongside pedals like the Soul Food, the Hot Tubes Nano and the Crayon 76 Full Range Overdrive. For a wider view of the category, see the site's pages on Overdrive Pedals and Distortion Pedals.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
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Questions
Is the EHX Tortion discontinued?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix's product page marks the Tortion as discontinued as of 2025. When it was in production, the company described it as its flagship overdrive and distortion pedal, and it carried a street price of $179 in 2021. Used units and remaining stock are the ways to find one now.
Does the Tortion take a 9V battery?
Yes. The Tortion can run on a 9V battery or a 9V power supply, and Premier Guitar's reviewer noted that it shipped with a 9V adapter in the box. It uses buffered bypass, so it is not a true bypass pedal.
Is the EHX Tortion true bypass?
No. MusicRadar's review lists the Tortion as having buffered bypass rather than true bypass. The buffered output is paired with the pedal's XLR DI output with cabinet simulation, which is part of why it can feed a mixing desk directly.
Can the Tortion go straight into a mixing desk?
Yes. The Tortion has an XLR DI output with cabinet simulation, so it can be plugged directly into a mixing desk or audio interface without a guitar amp behind it. MusicRadar's review highlights this output alongside its buffered bypass and 9V battery or power supply operation.
Sources (3)
- Electro-Harmonix EHX Tortion review, MusicRadar, 2014-07-23
- Electro-Harmonix EHX Tortion Review, Premier Guitar, 2014-08-19
- Demo Video: Electro-Harmonix EHX Tortion Overdrive/Distortion Pedal, Guitar World, 2014-03-20
