The MXR Distortion+ is one of the original distortion pedals, a simple two-knob design that has been shaping guitar tone since 1979 and continues to deliver a distinctive, musical distortion character. The Output and Distortion controls are all that is needed to dial in a range of tones from a gritty, low-gain crunch to a thick, compressed sustain with plenty of bite. The circuit uses a single op-amp into germanium clipping diodes, producing a soft-clipping distortion that is smoother and more dynamic than many modern hard-clipping designs. At lower distortion settings, the pedal produces a warm, slightly compressed crunch that retains excellent note definition and responds well to picking dynamics. As the distortion is increased, the sound becomes thicker and more saturated while maintaining a characteristic brightness and edge that helps the guitar cut through a band mix. The midrange emphasis in the voicing ensures that the signal remains present and focused even at higher gain settings. The compact MXR enclosure is road-proven and takes up minimal pedalboard space, and the pedal's simplicity means there is virtually nothing to go wrong. The Distortion+ is a classic choice for rock, punk, and alternative players who appreciate a raw, unprocessed distortion sound with genuine vintage character. The two-knob design means there is no tone control for fine-tuning the frequency response, which limits the ability to adapt the pedal to different amplifier and guitar combinations.

Effects Pedals

One of the original distortion pedals since 1979 with a simple two-knob design, producing smooth germanium soft-clipping distortion with musical dynamic response.