The Non-Human Audio Unclean is a distortion pedal with a difference: instead of one gain stage, it puts two slightly different distortion circuits in series, one running into the other. Non-Human Audio calls this layout a "cascading distortion," and the idea is that the two stages shape the signal together rather than repeating the same clipping twice1. The maker is a boutique builder based in Albuquerque, New Mexico2.
What it does to your sound
Non-Human Audio describes the Unclean as covering a wide range from one set of controls: "This pedal will go from a nearly transparent clean boost with the gain controls at zero to a very natural sounding amp-like distortion with the gains turned up"1. With the gain controls at zero you get that clean boost; turn them up and the two cascaded circuits take over12.
Both circuits are designed with enough headroom on their gain controls to give you the flexibility of a boost, a slightly dirty boost, or full distortion, according to the maker1. For players comparing options, that puts the Unclean in territory shared with boost pedals and overdrive pedals at the low end of its range, and with conventional distortion pedals at the top.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain (both circuits) | From nearly transparent clean boost at zero to amp-like distortion when turned up1 |
| Resonance | Cuts the bass as you turn it down; a unique tone shaping design1 |
The Resonance control is the pedal's distinctive feature. Non-Human Audio explains: "The 'resonance' control is a unique tone shaping design that cuts the bass as you turn it down"1. The maker says this is helpful in three situations:
- Stacking the Unclean into other drive or fuzz pedals
- Feeding an already overdriven amp
- Getting a tighter, more modern sounding distortion1
That bass cut is what makes the Unclean practical on a crowded board: trimming low end before a second gain stage or a hot amp keeps the combined tone from turning to mud1.
Stacking with other pedals
Because the Unclean is itself two circuits in series, it is built with cascading in mind. The maker positions the Resonance knob as the tool for stacking it into other drive or fuzz pedals or an overdriven amp1. Non-Human Audio also makes the Robins, another pedal in its range.
Price and availability
The Unclean lists for $175.00 USD on the maker's product page, as of 26 October 20261. A PDF manual is available for download from the same page1.
Videos
Non-Human Audio
TUNNEL OF REVERB
Boring Gear Reviews
Questions
What does the Resonance knob do on the Non-Human Audio Unclean?
Resonance is a tone shaping control that cuts the bass as you turn it down. Non-Human Audio describes it as a unique design, and says it is helpful when stacking the Unclean into other drive or fuzz pedals, when feeding an already overdriven amp, or when you want a tighter, more modern sounding distortion.
Can the Unclean work as a clean boost?
Yes. With the gain controls at zero, the pedal works as a nearly transparent clean boost, according to the maker. Both circuits are designed with enough headroom on their gain controls to also give a slightly dirty boost or full distortion, so the same pedal covers boost and distortion duties.
How much does the Non-Human Audio Unclean cost?
The list price on Non-Human Audio's product page is $175.00 USD, as of 26 October 2026.
Can you stack the Unclean with other drive or fuzz pedals?
Yes. The maker says the Resonance control, which cuts bass as you turn it down, is specifically helpful when stacking the Unclean into other drive or fuzz pedals or into an already overdriven amp, because trimming the low end keeps the combined sound tight.
Sources (2)
- Unclean<br />(cascading distortion), Non-Human Audio
- Non-Human Audio Unclean Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2024-02-27
