Best/favorite distortion pedal for metal tones?

[Frater106]

I’m sure many metal players prefer to get their distortion from their amp. But, I don’t have a metal/high-gain amp and won’t be getting one anytime soon. So, what pedal(s) should I run through my Fender Twin to cop metal tones? Thanks in advance.

P.S. I’m already hip to the ProCo Rat.
P.P.S. Anyone using the Fortin Grind pedal?

 

[dave74]

I like the HM-2 without blasting all the knobs to 10.
The lows and distortion I like blasted or nearly, but the highs and level I start around noon and adjust to taste depending on the amp/speakers/boost.
I like using actives and/or a slight full-range/cleaner boost before the HM-2, and then from there I might back-off the distortion a bit on the HM-2, or not.

 

[Aceman]

How "metal" do you want to get?

The HM2, IMO, isn't very metal in the grands scheme of things, but I dig it
Similar, but way better is the Duncan Twin Tube Mayhem
Stepping up, I might go with my Ibanez DS9M
From there, perhaps my Suhr Riot

Now, if we are getting Evil, I'll go with the EHX Metal Muff

 

[Securb]

It depends on how metal you want to get. I found the MXR D+ paired with my Fender Quad wonderfully. If you want to push the limits of gain, I would suggest the Dracarys Distortion. I am a high-gain player and I have the gain set at 11 o'clock on mine.

I would also highly suggest the Decibel Eleven Dirt Clod. You can get a great MXR D+/DOD 250 tone or a TS type of vibe. It is an analog signal path with midi switching and 10 presets. Really flexible EQ. They are usually $270 but the company is blowing them out for $99

https://decibel11.com/product/decibel-eleven-dirt-clod-overdrive-distortion-pedal/

 

[Frater106]

It depends on how metal you want to get. I found the MXR D+ paired with my Fender Quad wonderfully. If you want to push the limits of gain, I would suggest the Dracarys Distortion. I am a high-gain player and I have the gain set at 11 o'clock on mine.

I would also highly suggest the Decibel Eleven Dirt Clod. You can get a great MXR D+/DOD 250 tone or a TS type of vibe. It is an analog signal path with midi switching and 10 presets. Really flexible EQ. They are usually $270 but the company is blowing them out for $99

https://decibel11.com/product/decibel-eleven-dirt-clod-overdrive-distortion-pedal/

The Dracarys sounds exactly like what I’m looking for. The demos I’ve found sound great. Thanks!!

 

[Frater106]

https://www.guitarchalk.com/modern-distortion-pedals/

 

[Mincer]

Don't forget the Palladium, either. It does any kind of metal really well, even through a Twin!

 

[dave74]

 

[Aceman]

OK - not gonna lie; I have NEVER thought of goosing an HM2 with something!

Like that!

Per my sound guy's request, I have been using my Mosky Golden Horse into my Mesa.

 

[El Dunco]

TRs take pedals really well. I remember back in the day I used a Rocktron Zombie because it touted it sounded best in front of a tube amp but we’ve come a long way from then.

Some example bands or clips would help a lot with suggestions.

 

[Frater106]

I picked up a Wampler Dracarys Distortion ($120 used) and an MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion ($55 used). I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to get to know them. Thanks, all!

 

[dave74]

I picked up a Wampler Dracarys Distortion ($120 used) and an MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion ($55 used). I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to get to know them. Thanks, all!

Cool. I for one will be interested to hear your opinions.

 

[playas]

The amp (a Laney in my case).



...ok, not a distortion as I don't like distortion pedals in general (as against OD) but I use a bogner blue mini with a fender amp. I still much prefer a good driven tube amp.

I have never yet had a need for anything more than I could get from my amp alone or the fender & bogner pedal though, and neither of those have obnoxious levels of gain.

 

[alex1fly]

Compressor/boost into a 5150 style. Can't be beat for the KSE style tones I like.

 

[Frater106]

Compressor/boost into a 5150 style. Can't be beat for the KSE style tones I like.

KSE?

 

[Demanic]

How "metal" do you want to get?

The HM2, IMO, isn't very metal in the grands scheme of things, but I dig it
Similar, but way better is the Duncan Twin Tube Mayhem
Stepping up, I might go with my Ibanez DS9M
From there, perhaps my Suhr Riot

Now, if we are getting Evil, I'll go with the EHX Metal Muff

Did you say Twin Tube Mayhem?

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[alex1fly]

KSE?

Killswitch Engage. My favorite flavor of distortion. Characterized by full, clear distortion and fat chunky palm mutes. Little fizz in the treble. Scooped in the mids so it’s clear but not so scooped that you enter old school Metallica territory. Sounds more mean than driving and complex chords and palm mute riffage all rings out well.

 

[El Dunco]

Compressor/boost into a 5150 style. Can't be beat for the KSE style tones I like.

What pedal does that best to your ear? The 5150 preamp pedal by MXR? I have perfectly serviceable gain built right into flyrig Multi-fx but I’m always looking for an effective analog option to put in the amp loop so I can use my custom overdrive in front.

Similated pres just don’t seem to like being pushed by analog overdrives. I had the perfect one but it’s malfunctioned and the circuits are far too complicated to fix myself. I’m considering either an AMT Vt2 or the Two Notes Le Lead.

 

[weepingminotaur]

I picked up a Wampler Dracarys Distortion ($120 used) and an MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion ($55 used). I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to get to know them. Thanks, all!

Let us know how it goes. I bought an MXR Fullbore a few years ago when I was just starting to play distorted music. Now I don't use it, because it has that "can of bees" shrillness to my ears and doesn't seem to play well with my Boss Katana. The Dracarys is supposed to be a metal beast, though -- curious to see your review!

 

[Demanic]

Let us know how it goes. I bought an MXR Fullbore a few years ago when I was just starting to play distorted music. Now I don't use it, because it has that "can of bees" shrillness to my ears and doesn't seem to play well with my Boss Katana. The Dracarys is supposed to be a metal beast, though -- curious to see your review!

A buddy of mine used a fullbore for awhile. I thought that it sounded good into his SS Marshall head and 4x12. It could be run unscooped and with a gate.

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