The T-Rex Alberta 2 is an overdrive pedal from T-Rex, a second take on the company's original Alberta overdrive, whose tonal qualities and ease of use T-Rex says guitarists have embraced since its introduction1. It is built into a compact enclosure, measuring 100 x 55 x 120 mm / 3,9 x 2,2 x 4,7 inch including knobs (W x H x D) and weighing 0,35 kg / 12,3 oz excluding packaging1.
Two channels of overdrive
The core idea is simple: two overdrive pedals in one box, hence the "2" in the name. As the Delicious Audio review put it, "It's actually two pedals in one, hence the II."2 Each channel has its own level, gain, tone and fat controls, and its own on/off footswitch, so you can set two drive tones and switch between them1.
The two channels share the same voice but are voiced slightly differently:
| Channel | Character |
|---|---|
| Channel 1 | A more compressed, tube-under-duress sound2 |
| Channel 2 | Slightly more open and punchy, with more pick attack and push, same voice as channel 11 |
Vintage Guitar described the same split when the pedal was announced: "Channel 2 has a slightly more-open, punchy sound, for a little more pick-attack and push, but with the same voice as Channel 1."3
One thing the pedal does not do is stack its channels. The Delicious Audio reviewers noted: "Oddly, it isn't possible to cascade one channel into the other, Stevie Ray Vaughan-style"2. So if you want to run one drive into the other for a heavier lead tone, this is not the pedal for that; you would need two separate overdrives, or a pedal built for cascading.
The fat switch
Each channel has its own fat switch, which T-Rex describes as giving "an even thicker tone on either channel"1. Vintage Guitar reported that the Fat switch "provides low-end boost"3, and the Delicious Audio review found it useful for brighter guitars: "each channel has a fat boost, which levels the playing field for single coils."2 For a player with a Strat or Tele, that is a quick way to add low-end weight without touching the tone knob.
Power: 9V, 20mA, battery or adapter
The Alberta 2 runs on a 9V DC power supply, such as the T-Rex FuelTank, drawing 20 mA at 9V DC1. It also takes a 9V 6F22 battery, with battery life rated at 5 to 8 hours1. The minimum power supply voltage is 8V DC, so a slightly lower regulated supply stays within spec1.
The 5 to 8 hour battery life means a battery is best kept as a backup. For regular playing, the 9V DC jack with a supply like the T-Rex FuelTank is the practical choice, and at 20 mA the pedal is easy to run from a multi-output power brick1.
Other electrical specs from T-Rex: input impedance is higher than 1M Ohm at 1KHz, output impedance is lower than 1K Ohm at 1KHz, and the maximum input signal is 3V p-p1. The high input impedance means the pedal presents a friendly load to the guitar, and the low output impedance lets it drive long cable runs or the next pedal in the chain without losing signal.
Where it came from
The Alberta 2 is a follow-up to the original T-Rex Alberta overdrive, whose tonal qualities and ease of use T-Rex says guitarists have embraced since its introduction1. T-Rex positions the Alberta 2 as the next step from that pedal, carrying the same overdrive concept into a new version1.
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Questions
Can the T-Rex Alberta 2 run on 12V?
T-Rex lists the maximum power supply voltage as 12.5V DC, with a minimum of 8V DC, so a regulated supply above 9V within that range is within spec. The pedal is designed around a 9V DC supply, such as the T-Rex FuelTank, and draws 20 mA at 9V.
How long does a battery last in the Alberta 2?
T-Rex rates battery life at 5 to 8 hours on the 9V 6F22 battery type the pedal takes. For regular use, the 9V DC jack and a power supply such as the T-Rex FuelTank are the practical option.
What does the fat switch do on the Alberta 2?
Each channel has its own fat switch, which T-Rex describes as giving an even thicker tone. Vintage Guitar reported that the Fat switch on each channel provides a low-end boost, which reviewers noted helps single coils keep their footing.
What is the difference between the two Alberta 2 channels?
Both channels share the same voice, but channel 2 is slightly more open and punchy, with more pick attack and push. Reviewers described channel 1 as a more compressed tube-under-duress sound and channel 2 as the more open of the two. The channels cannot be cascaded into one another.
Sources (3)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
- Pedal Review: T-Rex Alberta II Dual Overdrive, Delicious Audio, 2013-10-14
- T-Rex Intros Alberta II Dual Overdrive, Fuel Tank Goliath, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2013-04-24
