The GUPtech Pile O' RATs Douche Edition is a distortion pedal from the Canadian builder GUPtech, described by the maker as its take on the classic Proco RAT Distortion pedal. It takes the standard Pile O' RATs circuit and adds a Sweep knob and a bank of eight toggles that select three clipping modes, giving a player more tonal range than the stock design. GUPtech announced the Douche Edition on 21 August 2022, and the pedal is sold out1.
Controls and clipping modes
The Douche Edition carries the RAT-style control set with one addition. A Sweep knob, described by GUPtech as a classic RAT mod, moves the mid peak of the pedal's response; the maker advises leaving it at 0 if you want the original RAT tone1.
The headline feature is the clipping selection. GUPtech describes it this way:
"This version comes with 3 clipping modes (8 Toggles), center position is LEDs clipping, right is the classic Diodes"1
In practice the eight toggles give three settings:
| Toggle position | Clipping mode |
|---|---|
| Center | LED clipping |
| Right | The classic diodes |
| Left | Dual diodes stage (more clipping)1 |
The center and right positions cover the familiar RAT territory, while the left position stacks a second diode stage for heavier clipping1.
Power
The pedal runs on 9V DC center negative and draws 1mA, according to GUPtech's product page1. That is a very light current draw, so it sits easily on a daisy-chained or isolated supply alongside other pedals.
Versions and colors
The Douche Edition was offered in Pink and Silver color options1. The standard Pile O' RATs is available in Green and Yellow2, and shares the same core circuit, Sweep knob and 9V DC center negative power2.
GUPtech has also produced a Gold Rush Edition of the Pile O' RATs: exactly the same circuit as the original, in a unique gold box, limited so that only two will ever exist. It is sold out3.
The Douche Edition is sold out. GUPtech's Douche Editions are limited runs, so the pedal appears on the used market rather than new from the maker.
Videos
DB Music
Questions
What does the Sweep knob do on the Pile O' RATs Douche Edition?
The Sweep knob is a classic RAT mod that moves the mid peak of the pedal's frequency response. GUPtech notes that leaving it at 0 gives you the original RAT tone sweep, so players who want the stock character can simply keep it fully down and use it as a fixed tone control.
What are the three clipping modes?
The Douche Edition has three clipping modes selected by eight toggles. The center position is LED clipping, the right position is the classic diodes, and the left position is a dual diode stage with more clipping. That gives a choice between the stock RAT-style clipping, a more open LED option, and a harder-clipping setting.
What power supply does the Pile O' RATs Douche Edition need?
The pedal runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug. GUPtech lists power consumption at 1mA, so it places a very light load on a pedalboard power supply.
What colors does the Pile O' RATs Douche Edition come in?
The Douche Edition was offered in Pink and Silver color options. The standard Pile O' RATs, by comparison, is available in Green and Yellow.
What pedal is the Pile O' RATs based on?
GUPtech describes the Pile O' RATs as its take on the classic Proco RAT Distortion pedal. The Douche Edition uses that same circuit with added Sweep and clipping mode options.
Sources (3)
- Pile O' RATs, GUPtech (guptech.ca), 2022-08-21
- Pile O' RATs, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- Pile O' RATs, GUPtech (guptech.ca)
