The Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion is a special limited edition from Rare Buzz Effects: a high-gain distortion pedal whose sales raised money for Ukraine. Pedal of the Day reported that the maker took their Snitch Distortion and rebranded it with the colors of the Ukrainian flag, along with Ukrainian text for the control knobs, and that the run culminated in over $9,500 being raised and sent to help Ukraine1.
What it does
Pedal of the Day described the Cyborg as "a high-gain distortion that encompasses many musical genres," with "amp-crushing tones and balls-out distortion throughout"1. In practical terms it is a Rat-style dirt box: the Snitch it is based on was called "the company's Rat'style Snitch" by Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio2, so players familiar with the ProCo Rat will recognize the control layout of Distortion for the amount of gain, Filter for tone, and Volume for output level1.
"Inspired by the famous Rat, the Cyborg is a high-gain distortion"
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Master output level1 |
| Filter | Tone shaping1 |
| Distortion | Amount of gain1 |
| Diodes switch | Chooses from three distinct voices, opening up more sonic possibilities and experimental sounds1 |
The Diodes switch is the feature that sets the pedal apart from a straightforward Rat layout, giving three voicing options rather than a single clipping arrangement1.
Circuit and build
Pedal of the Day notes the pedal is hand assembled using carbon film resistors, WIMA and Nichicon capacitors, and a lo-fi Texas Instruments operational amplifier for gain1.
The charity run and its status
The Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion was a special limited edition whose proceeds were helping those in need during the invasion of Ukraine, according to Pedal of the Day in June 20221. Because it was a limited run rather than a standing catalog product, it is not a pedal you would expect to find new in shops today; the standard Rare Buzz Effects Cyborg and the Snitch Distortion it was derived from remain the reference points for the circuit. For more on the effect type, see Distortion Pedals.
Videos
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Rare Buzz Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion the same as the Snitch Distortion?
Yes, in circuit terms it is. Rare Buzz Effects took their Snitch Distortion and rebranded it with the colors of the Ukrainian flag, along with Ukrainian text for the control knobs. The electronics are the Snitch's, a Rat-style high-gain distortion, while the enclosure and graphics mark it out as the charity edition.
Is the Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion based on the Rat?
It is a Rat-style design. Pedal of the Day described the Cyborg as inspired by the famous Rat, and Delicious Audio referred to the underlying Snitch as the company's Rat-style pedal. Players who know the ProCo Rat will recognize the general layout of Distortion and Filter controls alongside a master Volume.
How much money did the Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion raise for Ukraine?
According to Pedal of the Day, sales of this run of pedals culminated in over $9,500 being raised and sent to help Ukraine. The pedal was a special limited edition whose proceeds were directed to those in need during the invasion of Ukraine.
What does the Diodes switch do on the Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion?
The Diodes switch lets you choose from three distinct voices, which Pedal of the Day said opens up many more sonic possibilities and experimental sounds. It sits alongside the Volume, Filter and Distortion knobs as the pedal's main tone-shaping controls.
Is the Rare Buzz Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion still being made?
It was a special limited edition run, so it is not a standard catalog product. Pedal of the Day reported in June 2022 that the sales of this run had already culminated in over $9,500 raised and sent to help Ukraine, which points to the run being completed.
Sources (2)
- Rare Buzz Effects Cyborg Ukrainian Distortion, Pedal of the Day, 2022-06-04
- Rare Buzz Effects Cyborg, Delicious Audio, 2022-06-10
