TC Electronic launches high-gain Magus Pro distortion pedal

TC Electronic Magus Pro
(Image credit: TC Electronic)

TC Electronic has announced a brand-new high-gain distortion pedal, the Magus Pro.

Chief among its features is an LM308 op-amp – as found in the most prized examples of the Pro Co Rat – which is known for generating smoother-sounding distortion due to its slow slew rate. 

The company explains: “By keeping the slew rate slow, harsh unwanted harmonic overtones and interference are eliminated, leaving you with a smooth layer of pure distortion whilst cranking the gain.”

The stompbox also boasts three Rat-like operating modes: Classic, Turbo and Fat. Classic takes the player “to a world of oldskool, high gain, punchy mids and a gripping tight bottom end”, Turbo engages LED clipping diodes for greater headroom and less saturation, and Fat offers a low-end boost whilst re-shaping the upper mids. 

Its control layout is otherwise pretty simple, with volume and gain knobs and a high-cut filter.

TC Electronic also touts the pedals “effortless and lasting sustain”, suggesting it could be used as a solo boost due to its even harmonic resonance.

Other features include true bypass switching, a compact chassis and top-mounted jacks for conservation of pedalboard real estate.

The Magus Pro is available now for $59. For more information, head over to TC Electronic.

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Sam Roche

Sam was Staff Writer at GuitarWorld.com from 2019 to 2023, and also created content for Total Guitar, Guitarist and Guitar Player. He has well over 15 years of guitar playing under his belt, as well as a degree in Music Technology (Mixing and Mastering). He's a metalhead through and through, but has a thorough appreciation for all genres of music. In his spare time, Sam creates point-of-view guitar lesson videos on YouTube under the name Sightline Guitar.