TC Electronic MagusFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 45 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment78%
PROS 78%
CONS 22%

Rank based on 45 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want RAT-style tones across three voicings at a budget price
  • You value a compact top-jack pedal form factor for pedalboard space
  • You want a versatile pedal for rhythm, bass, or stacking with other drives

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need the classic sputtery RAT gain character for lead work
  • You play live and can't tolerate a delayed, release-activated footswitch
  • You need a lot of presence/cut for busy mixes

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Budget
TC Electronic Magus
Great value for moneyConvincing RAT-style toneVersatile 3-in-1 modesMuffled or scooped soundFootswitch activation delayLacks classic RAT sputter/character
TC Electronic Magus
Great value for money
Convincing RAT-style tone
Versatile 3-in-1 modes
Muffled or scooped sound
Footswitch activation delay
Lacks classic RAT sputter/character

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Exceptional value drives most of the praise. Commenters repeatedly highlight the low price, from around $20-25 on sale up to $60-80 retail, calling it an easy recommend for new guitarists and one of the best RAT derivatives available. Several bought it after seeing a review, on preorder, or spontaneously, and describe it as a worthy substitute for pricier RAT-style pedals or even the original RAT, especially given its compact size and versatile mode selection.

Tonal versatility across RAT, Turbo, and Fat modes stands out. Users describe Turbo as louder and cleaner, a favorite for some amps, while Fat mode works well for bass rigs and heavier death-metal tones. The pedal is praised for going from subtle overdrive to near-fuzz territory, handling stacking with boosts, tubescreamers, and fuzz pedals well, and offering an 'amp-like' solid-state RAT vibe that many found more amp-like than typical clipping pedals.

Some tonal and hardware shortcomings temper enthusiasm. Multiple users feel it lacks the classic sputtery, jagged RAT character, sounding comparatively scooped, muffled, or lacking presence and cut in a mix. The non-latching, release-activated footswitch is called out as impractical for live use since it creates a switching delay. One user reported noisy pots after three years, and another found it weak for lead playing despite being decent for rhythm.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?