The Mosky Black Rat is a mini distortion pedal built on the Pro Co RAT circuit, one of the most cloned distortion designs in effects. Mosky's product page describes it simply as based on the Pro Co Rat, and it adds a two-position switch that selects between a classic RAT voicing and a turbo voicing, giving two flavors of the same circuit in one small box1. It is a 100% analog design with true bypass switching1.
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio called it "a very affordable mini OEM RAT clone" and noted that "it uses the same LM308 Op-amp as the original," the chip long associated with the RAT's character2.
What it does to your sound
The Black Rat covers the ground the RAT is known for: a distortion that runs from gritty crunch to heavy, compressed sustain, shaped by a tone control that can roll off harshness or sharpen the attack. Because it uses the LM308 op-amp, the same chip as the original RAT, the core voicing follows the classic design2. The turbo switch is the pedal's main addition over a straight clone, offering a second, hotter distortion voicing alongside the classic one1.
As with any RAT-style pedal, the tone (Filter) knob works as a passive filter, so it interacts strongly with the gain setting: higher gain usually wants the filter rolled back a little. That behavior comes from the RAT design the pedal is based on1.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain (Distortion) | Sets the amount of distortion1 |
| Tone (Filter) | Shapes the treble response1 |
| Volume | Sets the output level1 |
| Two-position switch | Selects classic RAT distortion or T (turbo) RAT distortion1 |
There is also an on/off LED indicator to show when the effect is engaged1.
Power and practical details
The pedal runs on 9V DC with a negative tip, and Mosky recommends a regulated supply1. It weighs 125 g, and the mini enclosure keeps its footprint small on a crowded board1. The body is a zinc-aluminum alloy, which Delicious Audio describes as strong despite the small size2.
Mosky specifies a regulated 9V DC supply with a negative tip. An unregulated or wrong-polarity adapter can damage a pedal, so use a proper regulated supply.
The Eno and Donner connection
The Black Rat is not unique to Mosky. Delicious Audio points out that "You'll find identical models by Eno, Mosky and Donner," all built from the same OEM design2. In practice that means the same circuit and enclosure appear under three brand names, and the choice between them is largely about price and availability rather than tone or features.
Mosky sells a range of other distortion pedals alongside it, including the MOSKY CRAZY TONE Distortion, Mosky RED BROWN Distortion, and Mosky FUZZ DISTORTION, for players comparing options in the same category1.
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Questions
Is the Mosky Black Rat true bypass?
Yes. Mosky's product page lists a true bypass switch, and Delicious Audio's write-up describes it as a distortion guitar effect pedal with a true bypass switch. When the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through without any of the circuit's components in the way, which matters if you run several pedals on a board.
What is the difference between the classic and turbo modes?
The Black Rat has a two-position switch that selects between two voicings. The first position gives what Mosky calls classic RAT distortion, and the second, marked T, gives turbo RAT distortion. The turbo voicing is the same idea Pro Co used on the RAT 2's successors, a hotter, more saturated take on the RAT circuit, though the pedal keeps the same LM308 op-amp as the original in both modes.
What power supply does the Mosky Black Rat take?
It runs on 9V DC with a negative tip, and Mosky recommends a regulated supply. There is no battery option mentioned on the product page, so plan on a regulated 9V DC adapter with a center-negative plug, the standard for most pedals.
Is the Mosky Black Rat the same as the Eno and Donner versions?
Delicious Audio notes that you will find identical models by Eno, Mosky and Donner, describing the Black Rat as a very affordable mini OEM RAT clone. The three brands sell the same basic circuit and enclosure under their own names, so the differences come down to branding and price rather than the design.
Sources (2)
- Black Rat_Mini Guitar Pedals_Effect Pedals_Products_mosky pedal, moskyaudio.com
- Mosky Black Rat Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2022-07-29
