The T-Rex Mean Machine is a double distortion pedal: two separate distortion circuits in a single enclosure, each with its own footswitch and its own set of controls. T-Rex describes it as taking "the spirit of early amplifier hot-rodding", and markets it as "Double distortion, built to melt metal"1. It belongs to the same family of two-channel T-Rex drive pedals as the T-Rex Mudhoney 2 and the T-Rex Dr. Swamp.
The controls
Each channel has three knobs and its own on/off switch, and that is the whole control set. T-Rex lists the controls as on/off switch 1, on/off switch 2, level 1, level 2, drive 1, drive 2, tone 1 and tone 2, and sums up the layout this way: "You've got two channels, each with its own LEVEL, DRIVE and TONE controls, and that's it."1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| On/off switch 1 | Switches the channel in and out |
| On/off switch 2 | Switches the channel in and out |
| Level 1 / Level 2 | Sets the output level of each channel |
| Drive 1 / Drive 2 | Sets the amount of distortion on each channel |
| Tone 1 / Tone 2 | Sets the tone of each channel |
The two-channel setup means you can keep one channel as a milder crunch and the other as a heavier sound, or set the two channels to entirely different voicings. Reviewing the pedal for MusicRadar, Trevor Curwen found the tone control especially well judged: "it's all tweakable via a tone control that covers just the right range"2. He also noted the voicing: "We really like the way this is voiced - there's an upper mid presence that brings out the harmonics."2
T-Rex's own description of the sound is aimed squarely at high-gain players: "Turn up the gain and you'll smoke every other player in town, with a gorgeous tight distortion and the most musical feedback you've ever heard"1.
Power and connections
The Mean Machine runs on 9V DC, with T-Rex naming its own FuelTank supply as the reference. The specified supply voltage has a minimum of 8V DC, and the pedal draws 26 mA at 9V DC1. A 9V battery of the 6F22 type can be used instead, with a battery life T-Rex lists at 4 to 6 hours1.
The external connectors are simple: an input jack, an output jack and a 9V DC jack1.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Power supply | 9V DC (T-Rex FuelTank)1 |
| Supply voltage minimum | 8V DC1 |
| Current draw | 26 mA @ 9V DC1 |
| Battery | 9V battery 6F22, 4 to 6 hours1 |
| Input impedance | Higher than 1M Ohm @ 1KHz1 |
| Output impedance | Lower than 1K Ohm @ 1KHz1 |
| Maximum input signal | 3V p-p1 |
| Connectors | Input jack, output jack, 9V DC jack1 |
Size and weight
The Mean Machine is a compact single pedal rather than a wide dual-footswitch enclosure. T-Rex lists the size including knobs as 100 x 55 x 120 mm, width by height by depth1. That footprint keeps it practical on a crowded board, which Curwen's verdict reflected: "This is an excellent distortion in a practical package. For two levels of the same sound or two contrasting sounds, the Mean Machine will deliver."2
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Questions
Can you use both channels of the T-Rex Mean Machine at once?
The Mean Machine is built as two distortions in one box, with separate on/off switches for channel 1 and channel 2 and separate Level, Drive and Tone controls for each. T-Rex describes it as a way to run two levels of the same sound or two contrasting sounds, and MusicRadar's reviewer found it delivered well in both uses.
Does the Mean Machine take a battery?
Yes. T-Rex specifies a 9V battery of the 6F22 type, the standard rectangular battery used in most pedals, and lists battery life at 4 to 6 hours. The pedal can also run from a 9V DC power supply.
What power supply does the Mean Machine need?
T-Rex lists the power supply as 9V DC, naming its own FuelTank as the supply, with a minimum supply voltage of 8V DC. Current draw is 26 mA at 9V DC, which is modest enough for most pedalboard power supplies.
How much current does the Mean Machine draw?
T-Rex specifies a current draw of 26 mA at 9V DC. That is a low figure by pedal standards, so the Mean Machine sits comfortably within the capacity of a typical daisy-chain or isolated pedalboard power supply.
How big is the Mean Machine pedal?
T-Rex lists the pedal size, including knobs, as 100 x 55 x 120 mm, measured width by height by depth.
Sources (2)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
- T-Rex Mean Machine double distortion review, MusicRadar, 2012-11-09
