You've added an item to the cart! ×
View Cart Continue Shopping

Welcome to Orange

Thank you for choosing Orange.

Since 1968, when the company was founded, Orange Amplification has been researched and developed by the guitarist for the guitarist. Today, with a team of the industry’s most dedicated engineers, it continues to test the boundaries of conventional pedal design to bring you the latest range of effects.

Orange’s commitment to quality control, construction and craftsmanship is long established, and each pedal design passes through a rigorous test procedure before shipping, resulting in complete confidence that you will be delighted with your new purchase, and that it will provide you many years of enjoyment and reliability.

This web page contains valuable technical and safety information. Please take the time to read these instructions and warnings, as the information will enhance the performance and longevity of your pedal.

  1. Read these instructions.
  2. Keep these instructions.
  3. Heed all warnings.
  4. Follow all instructions.
  5. Do not use this apparatus near water or other liquids.
  6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
  7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
  9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarised or grounding-type plug. A polarised plug has two blades, with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for a replacement of the obsolete outlet.
  10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit the apparatus.
  11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
  12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.
  13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
  14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

WARNING! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

Where indicated or stated on the product/unit, this device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

  1. This device may not cause harmful interference
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for digital devices of its class, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try and correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  3. Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  4. Consult the dealer or a qualified technician for help.

Note: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Orange Music Electronic Company, Ltd. could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

For customers in Canada: Where indicated or stated on the product/unit, this digital apparatus complies with Canadian Interference Regulations CAN ICES-3(B)/NMB-3(B).

All products are certified and tested to relevant safety standards. For further information, please contact us at orangeamps.com/contact.

Distortion — instructions for use

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1

Level

2

Depth

3

On/Off

4

Output

5

Input

6

9 V DC Input

7

LED

1. LevelControls the volume of the output, with a centre position representing no increase or reduction in volume.
2. DepthControls the colour or intensity of the distortion.
3. ON/OFF SwitchDepress switch to engage pedal. Depress again to bypass the effect.
4. OutInsert a shielded quarter-inch instrument cable, either from your guitar or from the “send” socket of your amplifier’s effects loop.
5. InInsert a shielded quarter-inch instrument cable leading to the “input” jack of your amplifier, or to the “return” socket of your amplifier’s effects loop.
6. 9-12 V DC INPUTUse a regulated AC–DC adaptor fitted with a centre-negative plug (2.1 mm).
7. LEDTHE LED WILL ILLUMINATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS ENGAGED

IN USE

Meet the new Orange Distortion pedal, same as the old Orange Distortion pedal — at least that’s how it seems on the outside. After all, apart from the modern tweaks of an added LED and a 9 V DC input, this looks like a straight-up reboot of the 1970s relic, right down to its simple type stencilled onto the classic chunky, outsized aluminium shell to replicate the dimensions of original units.

Under the hood, though, it’s a different story: the circuitry of the new Orange Distortion has been rebuilt from the ground up, ditching the original’s back-to-back diode design and replacing it with an amp circuit including a tone stack, where bass and mids are preset but treble is user-adjustable via a little trimmer inside the casing.

New design doesn’t mean new sound though — this one comes with all the bite and growl and warmth and howl that you need for that classic 70s amp-like distortion, from vintage crunch to full saturation. With only two dials, for level and depth, but huge versatility, the Orange Distortion can set up your sound for everything from a clean boost to warm and fat gravelly textures to red-hot trebly screamers and maximum saturation. There’s a sweet spot for Jimmy Page-style guitar heroics, and another for Nuggets-style garage rock squall: in fact, every shade of grit and dirt is in there, as long as it’s vintage. 

Add in a hardwired switch that’s separate from the PCB and therefore super-easy to service, and you’ve got a vintage pedal fit for the modern age. It’s that level of attention to detail, combined with dedication to an era of crunching power chords, that makes the pedal a perfect homage to one of rock’s golden ages, ready to be heard again with fresh ears. It might be a new design, but with the Orange Distortion, the song remains the same.

REPLACING THE BATTERY

The Distortion is powered by a single 9 V (PP3/6F22) battery. To replace the battery, unfasten the four screws on the ends/sides of the pedal that secure the base. Remove the base and replace the battery, ensuring it is firmly secured in the metal clip. Be sure to observe the battery’s polarity (+ vs. –).

IMPORTANT NOTE

The Distortion can be powered by 9 V DC. A regulated DC power supply fitted with a​ ​centre-negative​ ​plug​ ​(2.1 mm) must be used.

HELP WITH MY GEAR

Contact us

Register Gear

Gear Manuals

SISTER WEBSITES

Orange Essentials

Orange Learn

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER