Nux RECTO-distortion

A distortion in the lineage of Petaluma's "Rectifier" amps

The Recto Distortion clearly fits within the DNA of the iconic high gain amplifiers designed in Petaluma, famous for their immediately recognizable sonic identity: a rather tight, warm sound, heavily loaded with gain, featuring a tight grain and generous compression. This type of saturation has influenced generations of guitarists, from modern heavy rock to the Metal and Neo Metal sounds of the 2000s, notably thanks to its ample low end and ability to stay clear on fast attacks.

For whom, for which styles, and in what context?

Designed for guitarists who want a distortion that "holds" the mix, the Recto Distortion suits both beginners seeking an immediate Metal sound and experienced players who want a solid gain reserve for precise rhythms and singing leads. It excels in Hard Rock, Metal, modern Metal, lower tunings, palm-muted riffs, and sustain-rich solos.

In live situations, it is an effective pedal for achieving a big wall of gain even on a rather clean amp, or to thicken a crunch channel. In studio, its straightforward response and generous low end make it a good base to finely EQ depending on the guitar, pickups, and tuning. On a pedalboard, it naturally sits after a tuner/compressor and before modulation/delays, and it handles upstream boosting very well to tighten the attack even more.

Simple controls, immediate results

The interface goes straight to the point: Gain controls the amount of saturation and compression level, Master adjusts the output volume, and the 2-band passive EQ (Treble/Bass) manages the balance between low-end foundation and high-end presence. The gain behavior is particularly usable: at mid-level, you get a powerful, warm, and precise distortion; pushing further thickens the sound, adds bass and sustain, for heavy, dense, and very compressed leads. At lower gain, the Recto Distortion offers a true crunch zone: warm, tight, musical, ideal for punchy rock without excess.

The on/off footswitch activates the pedal in true bypass, convenient for preserving the character of the guitar and amp when the effect is off. The pedal format and standard 6.35mm Jack connectors easily integrate into most setups.

The sound

The Recto Distortion offers a typically modern character: lots of available gain, a highlighted high end for definition, and rich bass that immediately add breadth to riffs. The grain remains tight, with a compression feel that facilitates fast passages and smooths attacks, while maintaining a direct enough response for cutting rhythms. Depending on the Treble setting and the guitar used, you can go from a warm, thick sound to a more aggressive and incisive saturation, perfect for standing out in a dense mix.

Technical specifications

Effects	Distortion	Settings	gain, master, treble, bass
Technology	Analog	Use	pedalboard, electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Black
Inputs	Jack	Power supply included	No
Outputs	Jack	Power supply	9V battery, DC 9 V
True bypass	Yes	Weight	230 g
Switch	On/Off	Dimensions (mm)	121 x 77 x 48
EQ	2 channels

Equalization	passive 2-band	Weight (kg)	230 g
Controls	Gain, Master, Treble, Bass	Input impedance	1M ohms
Mains power supply	9V DC center-negative	Output impedance	10k ohms