If you are looking for a competent RAT clone, this pedal will not disappoint. The form factor is standard "mini pedal", and it's very simplistic in its design but, really, with something like this (especially at this price) sound comes before aesthetics. I own a number of RAT clones and this pedal punches way above its cost in terms of value for money. It also has three different settings, thus cloning three different flavours of RAT in one, so you have the option to emulate the original RAT, the TURBO RAT >AND< the SOLO RAT. I only have experience of the original RAT pedal, but the other modes do each have a slightly different tonal quality to them and definitely change the sound.
However, with what I've seen of the SOLO RAT original pedal, it does have more knobs/controls so I suppose this version represents the core tone with slightly cut down functionality. The TURBO RAT has the same basic three controls, so I presume that's emulated much more closely. To buy all three Proco pedals looks like being about 400 euros, if you can even find them, so this pedal is an absolute steal at 5% of that overall price. I would say that the rodent sounds very slightly more bass heavy than the original pedal, but that's zero issue for me as I'm using it for very heavy/sludgy distortion and I'm scooping the mids (I know, I know... Lol) so this is a benefit to me, but this "issue" could be evened out with a slight eq shift on your amp. I have the Tomsline version of the RAT, too, the "Black Teeth" pedal and I think these are actually the same inside as the Harley Benton model, although I've disassembled neither so cannot 100% confirm this but they sound nigh on identical. I prefer the Tomsline design, with the little metal bar that stops your foot from contacting the pots, but they're usually very slightly more expensive, so for the Harley Benton model you get the same RAT style sound, and if you want to be clumsy then so be it (personally I've never had an issue with this, but it might be worth noting for some people).
The ONE problem I have with both this and the Tomsline pedal is that they do have a LOT of whining when the distortion is set high, and I usually have it at max or thereabouts, so expect to use a noise gate if you're going for that Obituary/Florida kind of death metal sound. However, if you're going for that sound then you should probably have a noise gate anyway, so it's not really a deal breaker. I'm not sure if Harley Benton do noise gates, but I picked up a different brand of cheap noise gate for 20 euros that does the job admirably.
It's also worth noting that the RAT is better as a booster and isn't that apt for generating a "crushing" tone on its own. You will need to drive your amp a little (or a lot, in my case, "because idiot") to get a really high level of distortion when using it, but that's how all the death metal bands did it in the past so that should be expected and understood. Standalone into a clean amp, the pedal offers a more creamy/bluesy style distortion that can be pushed into overdrive but ultimately does not hold a candle to other more purpose built and modern guitar distortions like the grindstein or others. Think of it a bit like a more sludgy HM-2, where the more "extreme" tones are generated with it in combination with a hot amp rather than just being a one stop solution. It doesn't have the same bite as other more trebly/high output pedals for things like pick harmonics, for example.
All in, I would 100% recommend this pedal. If you are looking for a classic death metal sound then in conjunction with your amp you can dial in some pretty brutal tones. It doesn't so much bite/chug as grumble, though, so bear that in mind. Furthermore, if you're just looking for a great and cheap bluesy overdrive/distortion then look no further!
When I initially learned of this pedal's existence, they were actually out of stock. I love RAT clones, so contacted Harley Benton to ask if there would be another shipment and was told that they were finished, and would not be returning. Thankfully, some time later, they're now back in stock so buy one before they disappear again (maybe for good this time).
For the price, there's no need to be on the fence about this, just buy and enjoy. There are no competitors at this price, it's a great addition to your pedal collection.
