The NUX REC TO Distortion is a compact distortion pedal from NUX, part of the maker's Reissue Series. NUX describes it as a heavy distortion effect for hard rock and metal, with a tight bass response, and says it uses a pure analog circuit to simulate the typical famous American pre-amp high gain tone from the 90s1. If you are comparing it with other heavy distortion pedals, it sits alongside pedals like the NUX HG-6 and NUX Metal Core in the maker's range, and you can see the wider category on the Distortion Pedals page.
Sound and character
NUX describes the REC TO as delivering "a heavy distortion sound with tight bass response"1. The maker also says the pedal adds an "extra amount of gain boost to the higher frequency for more 'in-your-face' Distortion Effect"1. In other words, this is a pedal aimed at players who want a high gain sound that stays focused in the low end while pushing the top frequencies forward.
The circuit's stated reference point is the high gain American pre-amp sound of the 90s. NUX puts it this way1:
"utilizes pure analog circuit to simulate that typical famous American pre-amp high gain tone from the 90s"
Because it is an analog circuit rather than a digital model, it sits with the maker's other analog drive pedals, such as the NUX Drive Core Deluxe MKII overdrive, rather than with digital amp simulators like the NUX Amp Simulator1.
What the maker says the pedal does, in brief:
- Delivers a heavy distortion sound aimed at hard rock and metal1
- Keeps the bass response tight1
- Adds extra gain boost to the higher frequencies for a more in-your-face distortion effect1
- Simulates the typical famous American pre-amp high gain tone of the 90s with a pure analog circuit1
Power and connections
The REC TO runs on 9 Volt DC or a 9V battery, and NUX lists its current draw at under 20 mA1. That low draw means it will run comfortably from a standard pedalboard power supply output alongside other compact pedals.
NUX lists a 9V battery as a power option, so the pedal can run without a supply. Current draw is under 20 mA, which is within reach of most daisy chain and isolated supply outputs1.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input impedance | 1M Ohms1 |
| Output impedance | 10K Ohms1 |
| Power | 9 Volt DC or 9V battery1 |
| Current draw | Under 20 mA1 |
| Dimensions | 121(L) x 77(W) x 48(D) mm1 |
| Weight | 230g1 |
A 1M Ohm input is the figure most pedal makers aim for, because it presents a light load to your guitar's pickups. The 10K Ohm output is low enough to drive the pedals and amplifiers downstream of it without noticeable loss1.
Bypass and switching
The pedal uses true-bypass hardware switching1. With true bypass, the signal passes through a physical switch when the pedal is off, so the circuit is completely out of the signal path. That matters on a pedalboard where several pedals sit between guitar and amp: each buffered stage can subtly change the tone, and true bypass keeps the REC TO from adding one when it is not in use.
Size and weight
NUX lists the REC TO's dimensions as 121(L) x 77(W) x 48(D) mm1. That is a compact footprint by full-size pedal standards, so it fits a crowded board without much rearranging. NUX also publishes a user manual in English for the pedal on its product page1.
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Questions
Is the NUX REC TO Distortion true bypass?
Yes. NUX specifies true-bypass hardware switching for the REC TO Distortion, so when the pedal is off, your guitar's signal passes through a mechanical switch rather than any electronic circuitry. That helps keep your clean tone untouched when the pedal is not engaged.
Is the NUX REC TO an analog pedal?
Yes. According to NUX, the REC TO Distortion uses a pure analog circuit. The maker says it is designed to simulate the typical famous American pre-amp high gain tone of the 90s, rather than using digital modeling to get there.
How much does the NUX REC TO weigh?
NUX lists the REC TO Distortion at 230g. Its dimensions are 121mm long by 77mm wide by 48mm deep, so it is a compact pedal that fits a standard pedalboard footprint.
What are the input and output impedances of the NUX REC TO?
NUX specifies an input impedance of 1M Ohms and an output impedance of 10K Ohms. The 1M Ohm input is high enough that the pedal should not load down your guitar's pickups and dull the tone.
Is the NUX REC TO suited to metal?
NUX positions the REC TO Distortion as a heavy distortion effect for hard rock and metal, describing its sound as a heavy distortion with tight bass response. The maker also says it adds extra gain boost to the higher frequencies for a more in-your-face distortion effect.
Sources (1)
- REC TO Distortion, NUX Audio, 2026-04-14
