The -D4 Distortion Reissue is a straight-up distortion pedal from IdiotBox Effects, a small builder whose pedals lean on pop-culture artwork and simple circuits. It is a current product, sold as a reissue, listed at $99.00 USD as of 26 October 20261. Pedal of the Day, reviewing the original, called it "a simple pedal, with simple controls, containing anything but simple sounds"2.
What it does to your sound
IdiotBox describes the -D4 as having "plenty of volume and gravelly gain on tap with a true tone that will boost or lower highs." At high gain settings the maker says it can get "a little muffy," while at lower gain it loosens up, working as an overdrive or tapping into what the maker calls rodent territory. Pushing a hot tube amp, IdiotBox says it gives metal vibes almost like a JCM 8001.
Pedal of the Day put it in similar terms: "The -D4 is a basic power distortion box, capable of doing crunchy, overdriven tones, as well as balls-out, fuzzy distortion with ease"2. The reviewer's verdict on the whole pedal: "Fortunately, it didn't disappoint in the sonic category, either, making it a definite Win-Win for us"2.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets output level; the maker notes plenty of volume on tap1 |
| Tone | Shapes the high end, boosting or cutting highs1 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of distortion, from Muff-type tones to searing, RAT-esque sounds2 |
| True Tone | A second tone control; Pedal of the Day found it "works harder than a lot of tone knobs, really letting you boot the high or low ends as you see fit"2 |
Pedal of the Day summed up the range the four knobs cover: "from a little bit of Muff-type tones, to searing RAT-esque sonic blasts, to some serious metal vibes, ala a Marshall JCM800 amplifier"2. For where the -D4 sits among its neighbors, see Distortion Pedals, Overdrive Pedals and Fuzz Pedals.
Power and enclosure
The -D4 runs on a common 9 to 18V DC "CENTER NEGATIVE" 2.1mm BOSS style power input, and a battery snap is included, so it can run from a battery as well1. A power supply is not included1. The maker lists the current draw as unknown, so it is worth keeping that in mind if you plan a daisy chain with other pedals1.
The Reissue uses a smaller 125B sized enclosure, measuring 4.7" x 2.6" x 1.5", which is worth checking against tight pedalboard gaps1.
Name and artwork
The name is a Star Wars reference. Pedal of the Day explains it is "based off of the red astromech droid R5-D4 in 'A New Hope', the one with the bad motivator the Jawas tried to sell to Luke and Uncle Owen," and notes the pedal carries that "semi-iconic robot plastered on its enclosure"2.
Questions
Is the IdiotBox D4 true bypass?
Yes. IdiotBox Effects lists the -D4 Distortion Reissue with true bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit in the way.
Does the IdiotBox D4 take a battery?
Yes. The maker lists a battery snap with the pedal, so it can run from a 9V battery inside the enclosure as well as from a DC power supply.
Does the IdiotBox D4 come with a power supply?
No. IdiotBox Effects states plainly on the product page that a power supply is not included, so you will need your own 9 to 18V DC center negative adapter with a 2.1mm BOSS style plug.
What is the IdiotBox D4 named after?
Pedal of the Day notes the name comes from R5-D4, the red astromech droid in Star Wars: A New Hope, the one with the bad motivator that the Jawas tried to sell to Luke and Uncle Owen.
What size is the IdiotBox D4 enclosure?
The Reissue uses a smaller 125B sized enclosure measuring 4.7 by 2.6 by 1.5 inches, according to IdiotBox Effects.
How much does the IdiotBox D4 Reissue cost?
IdiotBox Effects lists the -D4 Distortion Reissue at $99.00 USD as of 26 October 2026.
Sources (2)
- -D4 Distortion Reissue, IdiotBox Effects
- IdiotBox Effects -D4 Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2016-12-01
