Rodent – The Legendary ProCo Rat Distortion in Digital Form
Immerse yourself in the world of classic guitar distortion with Rodent – a software emulation of the iconic ProCo Rat pedal. This VST plugin recreates the characteristic, gritty, and energetic sound that has shaped the sound of countless recordings for decades. From a light crunch to a rich, singing sustain, Rodent offers the entire palette of sounds of the original “Rat.”
History and Sound of the ProCo Rat
The ProCo Rat pedal appeared in the late 1970s and quickly became one of the most influential distortion pedals in music history. Its unique circuit and flexibility made it a favorite of musicians of various genres – from grunge and punk to hard rock and metal. The sound of the Rat is characterized by a dense mid-frequency range, a significant gain level, and a unique Filter control that allows for precise tone shaping. Rodent strives to preserve this legacy, giving you the authentic feel and sound of the original.
Explore Modifications
One of the key advantages of Rodent is the integration of emulations of popular aftermarket modifications that guitarists have been applying to their physical Rat pedals for years. These modifications can significantly change the character of the sound – add more bass, change the compression dynamics, affect the gain level, etc. Thanks to Rodent, you can easily switch between these options, exploring different shades of classic distortion without having to solder. This makes the plugin an extremely flexible tool for sound design and experimentation.
Controls and Versatility
The Rodent interface likely reflects the simplicity of the original with the main control knobs:
- Distortion (or Gain): Adjusts the level of distortion, from light overdrive to aggressive distortion/fuzz.
- Filter: A unique tone control for the Rat. Unlike regular equalizers, it works as a low-pass filter, but the knob turns “backwards” – clockwise you CUT the high frequencies, making the sound darker and denser. This allows you to effectively “tame” excessive brightness or get a more vintage tone.
- Volume: Sets the output level of the plugin’s signal.
Rodent is extremely versatile. While the ProCo Rat is classically associated with the guitar, this plugin sounds great on bass, adding character and aggression. Experiment with it on synthesizers to create unique textures, on drums to add “dirt,” or even on vocals for lo-fi effects. Its possibilities go far beyond standard use.
Conclusion
Rodent is not just an emulation; it is a tool that opens the door to the classic sound of distortion with added modern conveniences and flexibility. If you are looking for the authentic sound of the ProCo Rat or want to explore the world of its popular modifications in a convenient digital format, Rodent will be a great addition to your VST plugin collection. It is easy to use but offers deep possibilities for shaping your unique sound.
The plugin is available for free and works in VST format for 64-bit Windows systems.
