The Shnobel Tone Ratatouille Distortion is a distortion pedal from Shnobel Tone, the pedal company started by a pedal YouTuber turned builder. It is the maker's second release, following the Daily Driver overdrive1. Shnobel Tone describes it as a versatile distortion pedal built around an original circuit inspired by the 80s Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal, with what the maker calls "an amp like distortion with lots of harmonics and touch sensitivity"2.
Controls
The Ratatouille keeps the RAT's familiar two-knob layout of Distortion and Filter. Shnobel Tone says the filter knob "works just like the old RAT pedal as you turn up the filter you get a darker sound"2. MusicRadar, covering the pedal when it appeared in a Line 6 Helix firmware update, described the Filter as setting the amount of high cut, a low pass filter applied to the distortion, letting more treble through at lower values and filtering it out at higher values3.
The Distortion knob goes beyond the RAT's gain range. As Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio put it, "The Ratatouille's Distortion knob adds an extra amount of gain for even more extreme settings"1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Distortion | Sets the drive level; adds extra gain for more extreme settings1 |
| Filter | High cut (low pass) filter on the distortion; turning up gives a darker sound23 |
| Foot switch | True bypass on/off2 |
For comparison, the original Pro Co RAT uses three controls: Distortion, Filter and Volume4. The Ratatouille's published control set covers the first two of those.
Where it came from
The RAT connection is the pedal's whole story. Shnobel Tone states that "The Ratatouille Distortion was inspired by the 80's Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal," but that "it features an original circuit" rather than a copy2. MusicRadar called it "a new effect, based on the 1984 Pro Co RAT distortion pedal"3.
The RAT itself is a well-worn design. As Performer Magazine's Max Monahan noted, "the Rat has been released in many versions over the years that each have their own characteristic distortion tones"5. That lineage is still current: Guitar World's review of the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal v3 describes that pedal's drive stage as "a vintage white-logo Rat distortion-style circuit"6. The Ratatouille sits in the same family of RAT-style distortion pedals, with its own take on the circuit. You can read more about the original on the Pro Co RAT page, or browse other distortion pedals.
Power, specs and ordering
Shnobel Tone lists the following on the product page2:
- Power requirements: 9V
- Current draw: 55mA
- Input impedance: 576K Ohms
- Output impedance: 100 Ohms
- Size: 3.7 x 4.7 x 1.7 inches
- True bypass foot switch
At 55mA, the Ratatouille draws more current than many compact pedals, so a low-current output or a shared daisy chain may not run it2.
Ordering is direct from the maker: Shnobel Tone states a build time of 4 to 5 business days after the order is placed, and the pedal comes with a 30 day money back return policy2. The list price is $269.002.
What reviewers said
The Ratatouille Distortion was the second release by pedal YouTuber turned builder Shnobel Tone, following the Daily Driver overdrive1. The reviewer's verdict was positive overall: "the Ratatouille Distortion definitely didn't disappoint"7.
Videos
shnobel
Eirik Stordrange
Brett Kingman
Questions
Is the Shnobel Tone Ratatouille a RAT clone?
No. Shnobel Tone says the Ratatouille was inspired by the 80s Pro Co RAT Distortion Pedal, but it uses an original circuit rather than copying the RAT design. MusicRadar described it as a new effect based on the 1984 Pro Co RAT distortion pedal. The RAT itself has been released in many versions over the years, each with its own characteristic distortion tones.
Is the Ratatouille Distortion true bypass?
Yes. The pedal has a true bypass foot switch, according to Shnobel Tone's product page, so when it is off your guitar's signal passes through without the circuit loading it.
What power does the Ratatouille Distortion need?
Shnobel Tone lists 9V power with a current draw of 55mA. That draw is high enough that a battery-style low-current supply or a shared daisy chain may not be suitable, so plan your pedalboard power accordingly.
How much does the Shnobel Tone Ratatouille Distortion cost?
Shnobel Tone lists the Ratatouille Distortion at $269.00 on its product page, as of the page dated October 26, 2026.
How long does it take to build after ordering?
Shnobel Tone states a build time of 4 to 5 business days after the order is placed. The pedal also comes with a 30 day money back return policy.
Sources (7)
- Shnobel Tone Ratatouille Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2022-03-21
- Ratatouille Distortion, Shnobel Tone
- Line 6 Helix adds new amp and five effects with 3.10 firmware update, MusicRadar, 2021-04-16
- Best distortion pedals for metal: get the ultimate metal tone, Guitar World, 2022-04-26
- 5 Best Bass Distortion Pedals of All Time, Performer Mag, 2017-06-07
- EarthQuaker Devices Life Pedal V3 review|default()|default()|default(EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal V3 review)|default(Review,,,reviews, Coverage)|fteTrans({"category":""}), Guitar World, 2023-03-23
- Shnobel Tone Daily Driver Boost Overdrive, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2024-06-29
