The Krush is a signature distortion pedal made for Korn guitarist Munky, built by Majik Box. James Shaffer, better known as Munky, teamed up with Majik Box to design the pedal in 2012, and according to Munky it is designed to help turn any clean-sounding amp into "a massive sounding distortion"1. Guitar World's Paul Riario put it more directly: "The Krush can instantly transform any clean amp into a high-gain metal machine with plenty of definition"2.
A signature distortion for clean amps
The pedal's whole premise is the clean amp. Munky plays Korn's heavy parts through clean platforms, and the Krush is built to supply the gain itself. Guitar World's reviewer found it "unleashes the kind of thick and sludgy distortion found on Korn records but also can achieve some sinister fuzz" beyond what most gain pedals reach2.
It carries four controls: Level, Drive, Tone and Focus1. The focus control essentially acts as a mid shift, which matters a lot for a player chasing that scooped-but-present Korn rhythm voice3.
The red and white markers
The most distinctive thing about the Krush's faceplate is that each knob carries two reference points. As MusicRadar's review describes it, "there are two markers set out around each control - one red, one white - representing two of Munky's favourite settings"3. The reverse 'R' on the label hints at its Korn signature association3.
| Setting | Intended use | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Over a clean tone | Brings heavy metal meltdown with rich harmonic overtones, for heavy metal tones3 |
| White | With an already distorted amp | Warps the sound into a throaty lo-fi tone; MusicRadar found it sounds noticeably different from the red setting3 |
The two settings are not variations on the same sound. MusicRadar's reviewers singled out the white side: "what really impresses us is how different the white setting sounds"3. For the lo-fi white setting, "the focus and tone controls help here" in warping an already distorted amp3.
The red and white settings are meant for different rigs: red over a clean amp, white into an amp or pedal chain that is already breaking up. Setting the knobs between the markers puts you between two of Munky's preset voicings rather than on either one.
Power and bypass
The Krush operates on a 9-volt battery or a 9VDC adapter, and it is true bypass for signal purity2. MusicRadar's launch coverage confirms both: "The Krush distortion also features true bypass and a 9V power supply connection"1. True bypass means the pedal is out of the signal path entirely when switched off, so it will not load down your other pedals or dull your clean tone.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review is more recent and more emphatic. Despite the reviewers' scepticism about distortion pedals that breach the £200 mark, they concluded: "frankly this is one of the best high-gain pedals we've ever heard"3. Their summary of the strengths and the one drawback:
- "Seriously impressive, harmonic high-gain tones."3
- "Even if you're not a Korn fan, it's impossible to deny just how good this sounds for high-gain rhythms and leads alike"3
- "Expensive."3
Related pedals
Separately, a different maker has since used the Krush name: SHOKR's KRUSH Fuzz-Verb, which the reviewer called "a very strong first release from said SHOKR brand!"4. It is a different circuit from the Majik Box pedal and the two should not be confused.
Videos
Majik Box Pedals
musicgalleryonline
Joni TV
Questions
Is the Majik Box Krush true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World's review notes that the Krush is true bypass for signal purity, and MusicRadar's news piece on the pedal's launch also lists true bypass among its features, alongside a 9V power supply connection.
Does the Majik Box Krush run on a battery?
Yes. According to Guitar World's review, the pedal operates on a 9-volt battery or a 9VDC adapter. MusicRadar's launch coverage also mentions a 9V power supply connection, so it can be powered either way.
Who designed the Majik Box Krush?
James Shaffer, better known as Munky, the guitarist with California metal band Korn. MusicRadar reported in April 2012 that he teamed up with Majik Box to design the pedal, and Guitar World's review confirms Munky had a hand in designing it.
What do the red and white markers on the Krush mean?
There are two markers set out around each control, one red and one white, representing two of Munky's favourite settings. The red setting is used over a clean tone for heavy metal tones, while the white setting is designed for an already distorted amp.
Does the Krush work with an already distorted amp?
Yes, that is what the white setting is for. MusicRadar's review says the white setting is designed to be used with an already distorted amp, with the focus and tone controls helping warp the sound into a throaty lo-fi tone.
Sources (4)
- Video: Korn guitarist Munky on his Majik Box Krush pedal, MusicRadar, 2012-04-13
- Munky Business: Majik Box USA Krush Distortion, Guitar World, 2012-10-12
- Majik Box Krush Distortion review, MusicRadar, 2013-01-19
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-10-30
