The T-Rex Magnus is a multi-effect board from the Danish maker T-Rex Effects that puts five of the company's classic effects in a single unit: overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb and boost, plus a built-in tuner1. Announced in July 2013 in partnership with Guitar Center, it was sold exclusively through Guitar Center and Musicians Friend at a $399 street price2. Guitar World reviewed it as an effect board that bridges the gap between single boutique pedals and all-in-one units3.
Five T-Rex effects on one board
The Magnus belongs to the multi-effects family, but it is built as a board of individual-style effects rather than a menu-driven processor. T-Rex says the overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb and boost are all based on T-Rex classics used by well-known players, and that they all deliver "the legendary vintage tone and uncomplicated operation T-Rex pedals are famous for"1. For a player, that means the familiar building blocks of a pedalboard, overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb and boost, in one enclosure, with a tuner on board as well1.
Live mode and presets
The Magnus works in two ways. In Live mode, you can switch individual effects on and off and adjust them while you play, as if they were separate pedals1. When you want recallable sounds, it stores up to 10 combinations in two five-preset banks1. That split is the core of the design: direct control when you want it, preset memory when you need it.
Power and connections
The Magnus needs an external supply of 12V DC minimum, 500mA, center negative, and one is included. T-Rex lists its own FuelTank Chameleon and Goliath supplies as suitable, and notes that the Chameleon requires the green current doubler cable. The pedal draws 360 mA at 12V DC1.
The Magnus runs on 12V DC and draws 360 mA, so a supply rated below 12V DC or 500mA will not run it1.
Other connections and measurements from T-Rex's page:
- Input impedance at 1KHz: higher than 1M Ohm1
- Output impedance at 1KHz: lower than 1K Ohm1
- Outputs: separate left and right jacks for stereo1
- Size including knobs (W x H x D): 445 x 60 x 150 mm / 17,5 x 2,4 x 5,9 inch1
- Weight excluding packaging: 1,8 kg / 63,49 oz1
What reviewers said
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, covering the launch, called the format an interesting one, describing the Magnus as a new pedal that gathers T-Rex's effects in a single unit2. He also noted that the unit would be available exclusively through Musician's Friend and its online subsidiary2.
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Questions
What power supply does the T-Rex Magnus use?
The Magnus runs on external power: 12V DC minimum, 500mA, center negative, and a power supply is included. T-Rex lists its own FuelTank Chameleon and Goliath supplies as suitable, and notes that if you use the Chameleon you should use the green current doubler cable. The pedal draws 360 mA at 12V DC, which rules out most standard 9V pedalboard supplies.
Does the T-Rex Magnus have a built-in tuner?
Yes. T-Rex describes the Magnus as an effect board with overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb, boost and a tuner built in, so tuning is handled on the unit itself rather than with a separate pedal.
Is the T-Rex Magnus stereo?
Yes. The Magnus has stereo outputs, with separate left and right output jacks, so you can run it to two channels or a stereo rig.
Is the Magnus gain section analog or digital?
The gain section is all analog, according to T-Rex's product page. The board combines overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb and boost, all based on T-Rex classics.
How many presets can the Magnus store?
The Magnus stores up to 10 combinations, arranged in two banks of five presets each. In Live mode you can instead switch individual effects on and off and adjust them while you play.
What did the T-Rex Magnus cost at launch?
The Magnus launched in July 2013 at a $399 street price, announced by T-Rex Effects in partnership with Guitar Center and sold exclusively through Guitar Center and its online subsidiary Musicians Friend.
Sources (3)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
- T-Rex Effects Releases Multi-boutique Effect Magnus, Delicious Audio, 2013-07-24
- Review: T-Rex Engineering Magnus Effect Board, Guitar World, 2014-05-28
