The T-Rex Magnus is a multi-effect board from the Danish maker T-Rex Effects, built in partnership with Guitar Center and announced in July 2013. It puts five classic T-Rex effects in one box: overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb and boost, all based on T-Rex classics, plus a built-in tuner. The gain section is all analog1. Guitar World described it as a board that "bridges the gap" between single pedals and multi-effects, offering T-Rex's boutique-quality effects in one unit2.
The five effects and how you use them
The Magnus is built around five effects based on T-Rex classics: overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb and boost, with a tuner alongside them1. T-Rex says they all deliver "the legendary vintage tone and uncomplicated operation T-Rex pedals are famous for"1. If you already play single T-Rex pedals such as the T-Rex Alberta or T-Rex Møller 2, the idea is the same circuits gathered onto one board.
It works in two ways:
- Live mode: switch individual effects on and off and adjust them while you play, as if they were separate pedals13.
- Preset mode: store up to 10 combinations in two five-preset banks, so a song's settings can be recalled with one move1.
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio noted at launch that "In Live mode, Magnus lets you switch individual effects on and off and adjust them while you play, as if they were separate pedals"3.
Power and connections
The Magnus runs on 12V DC and draws 360 mA, which is well beyond what a battery or a standard daisy-chain output can supply. T-Rex includes an external power supply rated 12V DC minimum, 500mA, center negative1.
The Magnus draws 360 mA at 12V DC1. T-Rex lists the FuelTank Chameleon and Goliath as suitable supplies, and if you use the Chameleon you must use the green current doubler cable1.
Other connections and specifications from T-Rex's page1:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input impedance @ 1KHz | Higher than 1M Ohm |
| Output impedance @ 1KHz | Lower than 1K Ohm |
| Outputs | Stereo, left and right output jacks |
| Size incl. knobs (W x H x D) | 445 x 60 x 150 mm / 17,5 x 2,4 x 5,9 inch |
The stereo outputs, with separate left and right jacks, mean the delay and reverb can be spread across two amps or a stereo rig1.
Where it came from
T-Rex announced the Magnus in July 2013 in partnership with Guitar Center, and it was to be available exclusively through that retailer and its online subsidiary Musicians Friend, at a street price of $3993. The name comes from King Magnus I, who ruled Denmark nearly a thousand years ago; the name means "great"1. Delicious Audio called it "an interesting format" for a pedal3.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's review framed the Magnus as a middle path between single pedals and multi-effects, saying it "bridges the gap between these two ideologies, offering four of the company's boutique-quality" effects in one board2.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Guitar World
T-Rex Effects
Questions
Is the T-Rex Magnus stereo?
Yes. The Magnus has stereo outputs, with separate left and right output jacks, so you can run it into two amps or a stereo rig and place the delay and reverb in stereo. T-Rex lists the output impedance at 1KHz as lower than 1K Ohm.
Does the T-Rex Magnus have a built-in tuner?
Yes. Alongside the overdrive, distortion, delay, reverb and boost effects, the Magnus includes a built-in tuner, making it a six-in-one unit: five effects plus tuning in a single board.
Can I power the T-Rex Magnus from a Fuel Tank Chameleon?
Yes. T-Rex lists 12V DC from the T-Rex FuelTank Chameleon or Goliath as suitable power supplies. If you use the Chameleon, T-Rex says to use the green current doubler cable, because the Magnus draws 360 mA at 12V DC.
How much does the T-Rex Magnus weigh?
T-Rex lists the weight excluding packaging as 1.8 kg, or 63.49 oz. The pedal measures 445 x 60 x 150 mm including knobs, so it is a substantial unit rather than a compact stompbox.
Where can you buy the T-Rex Magnus?
At launch in 2013, the Magnus was announced as available exclusively through Guitar Center and its online subsidiary Musicians Friend, in a partnership between T-Rex and the retailer, at a street price of $399.
Sources (3)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
- Review: T-Rex Engineering Magnus Effect Board, Guitar World, 2014-05-28
- T-Rex Effects Releases Multi-boutique Effect Magnus, Delicious Audio, 2013-07-24
