What it does to your sound
The heart of the pedal is the LM741 op-amp, the same integrated circuit at the core of the traditional RAT, with a selectable diode switch added on top3. In the silicon position you get what Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio calls "the classic RAT-style silicon diodes for punchy, mid-heavy distortion"3. Flip to the BAT41 position and the pedal changes character: "BAT41 diodes for a smoother, more balanced tone"3.
The maker's page frames the pedal as taking "the legendary RAT formula and sharpens it for a new generation of players," delivering "the same snarling attitude and midrange bite that defined countless records" with expanded tonal control1. Premier Guitar's press release describes it as having "the soul of a traditional RAT pedal"2.
The two clipping modes
| Mode | Diodes | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon | Classic RAT-style silicon | Punchy, mid-heavy distortion3 |
| BAT41 | BAT41 | Smoother, more balanced tone3 |
RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the switch as letting you "flip between the classic silicon RAT grind and the smoother, more articulate voice of BAT41 diodes"1. For a player, that means one pedal covers both the aggressive, mid-forward voice the RAT is known for and a rounder alternative, without changing pedals or adding a second distortion pedal to the board.
Power and practical notes
The pedal runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 60mA according to RockBoard's PedalPedia's specifications1.
At 60mA, the Sterling Vermin RAT draws more than many analog distortions. A battery is not an option, and a shared daisy-chain output needs enough current headroom to run it alongside the rest of the board1.
The enclosure is hand-soldered, per the maker's page1.
Where it came from
Act Entertainment, which owns the RAT brand, unveiled the Sterling Vermin in a press release carried by Premier Guitar on 7 May 2025, where it was described as available immediately2. Delicious Audio's write-up of 6 June 2025 calls it a pedal that "reimagines the classic RAT sound with modern refinement and versatility"3. The maker's own page positions it as a refined take on the classic circuit built for a new generation of players1.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Performer Magazine
Performer Magazine
Questions
Is the Sterling Vermin RAT analog?
Yes. The Sterling Vermin RAT is an analog distortion pedal, built around an LM741 op-amp with selectable clipping diodes. It runs on a 9V DC supply with center-negative polarity and draws 60mA, so it needs its own supply output or a daisy chain rated for the draw rather than a battery.
What diodes can the Sterling Vermin RAT use?
The pedal has a pair of selectable clipping diodes. One position uses classic RAT-style silicon diodes, which Delicious Audio describes as giving punchy, mid-heavy distortion. The other position uses BAT41 diodes, described as giving a smoother, more balanced tone. A switch on the pedal flips between the two voices.
What power does the Sterling Vermin RAT need?
The Sterling Vermin RAT runs on 9V DC with center-negative polarity and draws 60mA, according to the maker's product page. That rules out a battery and means a standard low-current daisy-chain output may not be enough on its own.
Is the Sterling Vermin RAT based on the original RAT circuit?
It follows the RAT formula. The maker's page says the pedal takes the legendary RAT formula and sharpens it for a new generation of players, and Premier Guitar's press release describes it as having the soul of a traditional RAT pedal. At its core is the same LM741 op-amp arrangement, with the added selectable diode switch.
Sources (3)
- Sterling Vermin RAT by Sterling Vermin, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Act Entertainment Launches Sterling Vermin Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2025-05-07
- RAT Sterling Vermin Distortion, Delicious Audio, 2025-06-06
