Need a distortion pedal?  Look here!  Or look at this link to learn how to use a distortion pedal.

Probably the easiest way to show you how to hook up a distortion pedal is with a video:

The post EXPLAINED: How To Connect A Distortion Pedal To An Amp appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

What Makes A Guitar Distortion Pedal Distort?

Distortion is an audio signal processing technique that helps modify the sound of boosted electric musical instruments — typically by bumping up their gain, yielding a growling, fuzzy, or gritty rock tone. The distortion character you get hinges on the distortion stompbox you are plugged into. Most employ transistors and diodes to push signals into the clipping region. The transistor type used — silicon, germanium, FET — has a major effect on how the in-use distortion sounds.

There are different types of pedals: boost, overdrive, distortion, and fuzz pedals. Distortion creates increased gain and clips the audio signal in an aggressive manner while keeping things articulate and tight. In other words, it overdrives the overdrive sound by altering waveform and boosting levels. While overdrive pedals cause soft clipping, the clipping effect created by the best distortion pedal is a lot more aggressive and harder.

Thanks to the amount of gain distortion pedals are capable of, most players pair them with a sonically clean amp. However, there are some who have teamed a distortion stompbox with an overdriven amp and have come up with great results. Like overdrive pedals, a distortion pedal incorporates diodes and op-amps to achieve necessary clipping. Also, they have three or more controls — such as volume, middle, bass, treble, distortion sound, and tone.

Learn more about using a distortion pedal here.  Or take a look at our article on choosing between distortion and overdrive pedals.

Do All Distortion Pedals Sound The Same?

No, they do not. There are many different types of distortion and different pedals produce them differently. For example, the two most popular types are fuzz and overdrive. Fuzz creates an in-your-face sound that emphasizes the low frequencies and can make your amp clip (which is not good). Overdrive simulates tubes getting pushed to their maximum potential – allowing for a warmer sound with more harmonic content.

Other distortions include distortion, fuzz and overdrive pedals all sounding slightly different. Once you start to understand what your options are, it can be easier to find the perfect tone.

Read more – types of distortion pedals.

Do I Need A Distortion Pedal?

Look here for more info, but the answer to this question depends on what type of guitar you have and how you want your sound to sound. If you’re not sure what kind of distortion pedal will work best for your style, there are some pedals that are marketed as distortion pedals, but they actually produce a more overdrive- or fuzz-type effect.

The post EXPLAINED: What Do Distortion Pedals Do For Your Tone? appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Is A Distortion Pedal A Preamp?

No, a distortion pedal is an effect unit that alters the sound of a guitar by converting it from a clean guitar tone to one which has high levels of both volume and distortion. The preamp is the device that produces a clean sound, which will then be altered by the distortion pedal.

The Function of the Preamp

The preamp takes an electric guitar’s signal and runs it through an amplifier. The amp (and consequently the distortion pedal) will shape the sound of your guitar for public consumption.

The Function of the Distortion Pedal

Are distortion pedals necessary?  A distortion pedal is designed to put out as much power as possible, while at the same time emphasizing certain frequencies of the guitar’s sound. The preamp produces a clean, low-volume sound with very little distortion. The distortion pedal makes the lower volume, already lightly distorted sound much louder and more distorted. The combination of these two effects is what makes up the electric guitar sound that we know today.

Can a Preamp Be Used Alone?

Absolutely! A preamp can be used on its own to create a different sound. One such example is the use of a tube preamp when playing a Fender Stratocaster. Some people prefer the sound that a tube preamp provides; however, most guitarists choose to use both a distortion pedal and a tube preamp. The choice is yours!

The bottom line is that the distortion pedal and the preamp are a team that work together to produce the electric guitar sound that we all know and love. In addition, knowing how one sounds without the other allows you to make an informed decision when selecting equipment for your own complicated rig.

In conclusion, it is no accident that the terms distortion and preamp are used in tandem. If the effects were not combined together, we would not have the electric guitar sounds that we know and love today.

The post EXPLAINED: Is A Distortion Pedal A Preamp? appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

We’ve done the research and we know what works best for heavy metal players! Our top picks will keep up with any kind of guitar playing.

These metal pedals have been hand picked based on their ability to deliver great tone at an affordable price point. They are also durable enough to withstand live performances night after night without breaking down in front of thousands of metal fans!

Our Top Metal Distortion Pedals Recommendations

Wampler Sovereign Distortion

Looking for a distortion pedal that can do it all?

The Sovereign Distortion is the perfect pedal to take your sound from modern to vintage. With two gain stages, a mid contour, bright switch and tone control you can shape your tone just how you want it. Whether you’re looking for an overdrive or distortion, this pedal has what you need.

Built from high grade components picked for their superior metal sound and response, the Sovereign Distortion will give you the best possible sound quality without breaking the bank. It features top mounted in/out jacks so it fits easily on any board with ease.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs03hiHtMoo

Check The Latest Price On The Wampler Sovereign Distortion

Diezel VH4 Pedal

The Diezel VH4 Distortion Pedal is another perfect choice. It’s based on one of the most iconic preamps ever made, and it sounds just like its namesake. You can use this pedal to get your guitar tone from classic rock to modern metal with ease.

This pedal has controls for volume, gain, bass, middle, treble and presence so you can dial in exactly what you want out of your sound. Plus there’s an adjustable depth control that lets you go from mild overdrive to full-on fuzzed-out metal mayhem!

It can be powered between 12-18VDC (no battery) with a power supply included in the package.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYV38t-jDUA

Check The Latest Price On The Diezel VH4 Pedal

Boss DS-1

Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is the most popular guitar effect in history. It’s been used on more hit records than any other distortion pedal and it has been featured on every major guitar magazine cover ever published. The Boss DS-1 is the industry standard for heavy rock and metal music.

The Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is the perfect choice for guitarists who want to add some grit and edge to their metal sound. It’s got everything you need, from level and tone controls on the face of the pedal, to super-tough construction that will last through years of abuse on stage or in your bedroom. And it lets your true guitar tone shine through with its transparent circuitry design.

This pedal has been used by countless guitar heroes over the past 30 years—from Kurt Cobain to John Mayer—and now it can be yours! You won’t find another metal distortion guitar pedal like this one at this price point anywhere else today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7SM2IH_siE

Check The Latest Price On The Boss DS-1

MXR Fullbore Metal

You’ve been looking for a distortion pedal that can give you the sound you want, and we think we have just what you need.

The MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion Pedal is an all-analog pedal that delivers over-the-top high gain distortion. It also has noise gate control with an internal gate trigger control to help cut off notes too early or increase sensitivity of the noise gate depending on your preference.

With its tone knob, this pedal for metal lets you select mid frequencies from 200Hz to 5KH so it’s perfect for any genre of music, especially metal. Plus, it comes in three different colors so there’s one for everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjE52dqthzk

Check The Latest Price On The MXR Fullbore Metal

MXR M75 Super Distortion

The MXR M75 Super Distortion Pedal is a versatile and responsive distortion pedal that can be used with any amp. It has an all-analog circuit, true bypass power requirements, and 3-band EQ to fine tune your sound.

You’ll love how responsive this pedal is to your playing style – no matter what type of metal music you play or what kind of guitar you use. And if you need some help finding the right tone, just flip on the built in noise reduction and listen as your favorite metal songs come alive through this powerful device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdhpDv26Rjc

Check The Latest Price On The MXR M75 Super Distortion

Wampler Triple Wreck

The Wampler Triple Wreck is the pedal that will give you the tone and response that you’ve always wanted. It’s made with high grade film capacitors and resistors picked for their superior sound and response. With true bypass, battery connection, 9v power jack (barrel plug like Boss), Boost Switch to give you extra gain or Fuzz; this is one of the best pedals for metal on the market today!

This pedal is perfect for any metal guitarist who wants to add some grit and dirt to their sound without having to buy an entirely new rig.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRwF2Q-8DAo

Check The Latest Price On The Wampler Triple Wreck

KHDK Dark Blood Distortion

The KHDK Dark Blood distortion effects pedal is tube-like and mid-heavy with added high gain. It’s unique power is its distinctly amp-like metal sound, richly articulate and deep.

This unique power can provide your main tone into your clean amp or act as a backup to an amp or modeling rig. With its uncompromising dynamics, it’s ideal for anyone who wants that richly articulate and deep sound.

You won’t find another pedal like it on the market today! It’s not just an amazing product but also an incredible experience you can have every day of your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYz7cf7_Pbo

Check The Latest Price On The KHDK Dark Blood Distortion

TC Electronic Dark Matter

The Dark Matter Distortion Pedal from TC Electronic is the perfect choice. It has everything you need to get your sound just right, with Gain, Level, Bass and Treble controls. And it’s true bypass so you don’t lose any tone when the effect is off. Plus there’s a voicing switch that lets you change up your bass response for an awesome shift in metal tone!

You won’t have to worry about getting stuck with one type of distortion sound ever again because this pedal can do anything from heavy metal to classic rock tones. With its versatility and ease-of-use, it’s no wonder why this pedal is loved by metal musicians around the world!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msCJj_J7XHk

Check The Latest Price On The TC Electronic Dark Matter

Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra

The Sabbra Cadabra is a distortion pedal that can be used for anything from heavy metal to funk. This is one of the most versatile distortion pedals on the market. It’s got everything from classic crunchy tones to modern high-gain sounds that’ll have you tearing up the stage.

This pedal has four controls, RANGE, GAIN, PRESENCE and VOLUME. These are all designed to help you get the perfect tone for your metal music. With this many options it’s easy to find the sound you’re looking for!

If you want a distortion pedal that will give you an amazing range of sounds then look no further than the Sabbra Cadabra Distortion Pedal by Catalinbread!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWHw0b4CysE

Check The Latest Price On The Catalinbread Sabbra Cadabra

MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive

The MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Distortion Pedal is the perfect choice for guitarists who want to add some serious punch and power to their sound. This versatile pedal has been designed in close collaboration with Eddie Van Halen himself, so you know it’s got something special going on.

With its 3-band EQ, boost switch, and gate, this pedal can do anything from adding a little extra dirt to your tone all the way up to giving you that full-on rock ‘n roll sound. It’s also really easy to use – just plug in your guitar and start playing metal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EBO8RN0ES4

Check The Latest Price On The MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive

Our Conclusion On The Top Distortion Pedals For Metal

Some other good quick picks:

• Boss Metal Zone MT 2
• Ibanez Tube Screamer
• Digitech Death Metal DDM
• Pugilist distortion
• Proco Rat
• Revv G3

If you’re looking for the perfect metal tone, then look no further than our guide right here. We recommend a wide selection of heavy metal pedals that will help you find your metal guitar tone.

Got a specific type of metal that you play? We also did a good article on the best distortion pedals for 80’s metal, overdrive pedal for metal, top overdrive pedals, and high gain distortions.  Looking for something a bit less “brutal” – look at these top classic rock distortions.

The post THESE 10 Best Distortion Pedals For Metal Bring Brutal Tone appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Ibanez Tube Screamer

To call the Ibanez Tube Screamer an icon would be an understatement. Before the original TS808 came along in the late ’70s, overdrive was pretty much a myth. Sure, there were a few fuzz and distortion pedals that could function as ODs; but only if you knew how to coax the genie out. The easier alternative was to literally overdrive a valve amp — a privilege of the lucky few who could afford one. To the rest of the masses, OD was the musical equivalent of a unicorn.

And then came along the Tube Screamer. This little seasick-green stomp box somehow nailed perfect OD, mimicking a tube amp at the edge of breakup while still maintaining tonal integrity. Guitarists the world over were wowed, and the Tube Screamer went on to become a bestseller, and perhaps the most imitated pedal in history.

So influential are the original Tube Screamers that even Ibanez themselves have released copycats. Or are they actually copycats? Seasoned shredders will attest that this isn’t the case — the latest lineup of TS’s are every bit as authentic as their ancestors. While there’ve been a few changes in the circuitry on some models, you still get the glassy OD and overall sonic integrity.

On that note, let’s see what’s on the menu for those who want a piece of the TS mojo:

• TS808 Reissue: As the name indicates, this is a faithful reproduction of the original TS808, featuring the same square footswitch and JRC-4558D op-amp chip under the hood.
• TS808DX: The Tube Screamer has frequently been deployed the Level dial cranked up and Drive/Tone dialed down for a clean boost. The TS808DX is Ibanez’s effort to simplify things here. It’s the 808 circuitry with a clean boost that can be configured to apply as either a gain boost (Pre), or as a volume boost (Post).
• TS9 Reissue: Again, this is a rendition of the “9-Series” pedals produced by Ibanez in the early ’80s. The model features the same sonic “stamp” that set the original TS9 apart from the 808.
• TS9DX: A TS9 remake with three additional modes ( +, Hot & Turbo).TS9B: Yet another TS9 variant that’s been revoiced for more low-end crunch.
• Tube Screamer Mini: This is the original 808 squeezed into a downsized case, and available for a cheaper price too; but with no sacrifices in performance whatsoever.

Fulltone OCD Overdrive

As splendid as Ibanez’s Tube Screamers were, they had their fair share of shortcomings. Or, rather, there are certain tonal needs that no Screamer in whatever configuration can fulfill. The propensity of these pedals to maintain fidelity in the signal can, for instance, prove a hindrance if you’re aiming for a slightly-roughed-up type of OD.

Just to be fair to Ibanez, the TS was never meant to be a jack-of-all-trades. But it’s from such gaps that great concepts are born. Concepts like Obsessive Compulsive Drive, or OCD as most people know it.

The Fulltone OCD was devised as a pedal that could bridge the gap between docile overdrive and the comparatively-unhinged distortion. It came with the usual controls (Drive, Volume & Tone), plus a HP/LP toggle for accessing different sound profiles. HP increases girth on the bottom end while sharpening the mids, giving your guitar more presence. LP is a subtler effect that retains the incoming signal’s character.

And so, the original OCD quickly became recognized as one of the most versatile stompboxes on the market. Keen to stay atop this enviable perch, Fulltone have continually refined the pedal over the years, recently releasing the second generation dubbed OCD V2. With a switchable true-bypass and a slew of upgrades in the circuitry, Obsessive Compulsive Drive is as good as it’s ever been.

Like with the original, the OCD V2 allows you traverse the tonal spectrum from low-gain crunch to gnarly, fuzzy distortion; with all manner of possibilities in between. The tone stays warm and consistent throughout, and the headroom is ever so ample. It’s an incredibly-dynamic response that lets you explore your way to the sweet spot on your favorite amp.

But perhaps the most intriguing thing about this pedal is its humility. Even with all its talents, the Fulltone OCD V2 remains affordably priced. And it still has the same user-friendly demeanor of its predecessors.

Ibanez Tube Screamer vs OCD Overdrive Pedals: How do They Stack up?

It certainly wasn’t the first stompbox to see the light of day. But the original Tube Screamer, with its unprecedented ability to emulate an over-driven tube amp, went on to set the gold standard for what OD should feel and sound like. It’s pleasing to see that all the reissues and variants that have followed retain their ancestor’s overall pedigree.

Fulltone’s OCD concept has been compared to the Tube Screamer in lots of ways — with some even claiming that it’s a copycat of the latter. Admittedly, there’s a bit of logic behind this opinion. No other pedal released in recent years has carved out a niche for itself quite like the OCD has. But that’s about as much as it has in common with the Tube Screamer.

The Screamer is meant to be an overdrive pedal through and through. Sure, you can get it to crank out some fuzzy filth if you dialed in the right settings and pushed hard enough. But the TS will strive to retain the signal’s character. Consequently, the result might not be what you hoped for.

And it’s here that the OCD comes in. It’s also designed primarily to provide OD, but with more flexibility. You can set it up to function more as a distortion box if you want. Its biggest selling point, however, is the ability to switch between the two at and/or dial in hybrid effects.

Now, there’s nothing to keep you from adding both the Tube Screamer and OCD to your pedalboard. But if you’re like most players, you’re better off with the one that suits your style best. Go with the Fulltone OCD if you like to play around with your sound and don’t mind a bit of color. If you prefer squeaky-clean tones, on the other hand, the Ibanez Tube Screamer is your best bet.

The post Ibanez Tube Screamer Vs Fulltone OCD: A Comparison Of Two Trendsetters appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Our Top Tube Distortion Pedal Reviews

Maxon RTD800

The Maxon RTD800 is a brawny yet remarkably light pedal for its size; it weighs in at 1.5 pounds and measures 4.5 inches x 6 inches x 2 inches. It has a cast zinc construction that protects the tube inside and makes it feel ultra-solid. Its matte nickel finish and blue and black accents provide the pedal with an industrial business-like look. Additionally, the power supply with its two-part assembly includes a 5 feet 9-volt cable that culminates in a brick attached to a standard 2 feet IEC power cord to deliver 9 volts of power.

There are 2 rows of 3 knobs on the top of the pedal. Treble, Mid and Bass are located just below Master, NR (noise reduction) and Gain. Switches for NR on/off and OD/Dist are found between the knobs and when engaged, Noise Gate and Boost LEDs shine bright blue. At the foot of the pedal are Bypass and Boost stomp switches and the pedal is true bypass. A glowing Sovtek12AX7LP tube is behind a transparent plastic window. On the back of the pedal is what seems like a battery compartment but is really access to a pot that adjusts the quantity of boost function between 3 to 9 db.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuBc4MUrEsk

Check The Latest Price On The Maxon RTD800

BK Butler Tube Driver

This tube driver was designed and created by B.K. Butler, an audio electronics engineer. It delivers anything from a light, smooth overdrive tone to a heavy classic rock-style distortion. At high gain, the pedal is quite similar of a Marshall JCM800 amp tone. At low drive, it can deliver a bluesy overdrive or a smooth gain boost reminiscent of a Fender.

Through some amps, it does not sound very versatile; however, it delivers an exceptionally good sound with others. Dialing in a tone that hits the sweet spot can be difficult and some individuals find it quite finicky because of some issue with the design, but with the right amp, in the right setup, there is nothing that sounds quite like it. This tube driver has a tremendously unique voice that is difficult or impossible to replicate.

There is a standard 4-knob version that features a drive, master volume, LO (bass) and HI (treble) controls. The 5-knob model includes a MID knob. There is a fusion fuzz/pre amp circuit inside as well. There is a hard-clipping element of the distortion that comes from the op-amp or integrated circuit chip. This robust signal is fed into a vacuum tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8yMWXO30O4

Check The Latest Price On The BK Butler Tube Driver

Fender MTG: LA Tube Distortion Electric Guitar Pedal

This is a tube-powered dirt box, as suggested by the name. It was created in collaboration with Bruce Egnater, the amp guru of Egnater Amplification fame. In short, this stomper can be likened to the shredding channel your amplifier never knew it had.

Along with its three-band equalizer, this Fender tube distortion pedal provides users with a “tight” control that assists in shaping bottom end at more elevated gain levels. In addition, it is equipped with a footswitchable boost complete with independent gain and level controls. There is a tube featured in the circuit and as such, the distortion produced by this pedal is more rounded than would be expected from a standard box of dirt. The gain levels range from medium to high and even goes beyond that; however, this MTG pedal is not merely a renegade.

When the mids are backed off and the gain is down to about the 10 o’clock mark, it will get you through those moving numbers. The previously mentioned boost circuit also provides this pedal with additional usefulness, with its separate controls enabling you to dictate the level of intensity and volume you prefer to add to the dirt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUIU7Ukmubs

Check The Latest Price On The Fender MTG: LA Tube Distortion Electric Guitar Pedal

Behringer Vintage Tube Monster VT999

The Behringer Vintage Tube Monster VT999 uses a 12AX7 valve along with its solid‑state circuitry and rather than producing the single tone control of a previous version, the user gets a full three‑band equalizer. In addition, the pedal features an effective noise gate that has rear-panel threshold control. When a very high gain setting is engaged, a bypass switch is there to clean up the pauses. Additionally, there is the expected master level and drive controls, with an LED showing when the effect is active and another indicating when external power is on. The switch is wired to provide a true hard bypass.

The majority of the exciting sounds can be found close to the low end of the gain control. When it is turned clockwise more than a short distance, you will be directly into overt distortion, with tone controls producing lots of range to take you into scooped metal terrain, if this seems like somewhere you would like to go. The distortion character is more ‘growly’ compared to the previous pedal and is best suited to slow blues at lower gain settings or chugging boogie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c63kxPAVvU

Check The Latest Price On The Behringer Vintage Tube Monster VT999

Electro-Harmonix English Muff’n

The pedal has dual vacuum tube, dedicated to an original tube overdrive and this is naturally provided with two EH 12AY7 tubes (the same ones that provided Marshall amps with their remarkable tone in the 1960s), and replace EH 12AU7 and 12AX7 for more or less distortion. This facilitates heavy experimentation with a variety of tube combinations to deliver unique and brand-new tube sounds.

With the gain control of this pedal, you will be able dial in pretty much anything from a balls-out metallic roar to a warm and bluesy breakup. In addition, there is adequate disparity in the filth for it to be suitable to any kind of player. There are also knobs for high, mid and low that can be used to tweak the tone. This places all types of juicy tones at your fingertips: think Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend. Clapton´s original tone from the 1960s, achieved with a Marshall and Les Paul setup, serve as inspiration for a generation of rockers for whatever gear they choose to use. The Electro-Harmonix English Muff´n depicts that legendary sound and do so quite deliciously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGjb4bA2yNk

Check The Latest Price On The Electro-Harmonix English Muff’n

Top Tube Distortion Pedal Conclusion

Everybody needs some distortion from time to time; in fact, there are a number of guitarists who simply cannot live without it or their tube amps. This is the golden age of distortion pedals as can be seen by the variety of manufacturers of small-scale boutique stompbox facing off against giants in the industry. There has never been a better time to find the top tube distortion pedal to assist you in turning your unsoiled cleans into delectable dirt. Any one of the pedals on our recommended list will transform a clean guitar amplifier into a seriously dangerous monster.

The post THESE 5 Best Tube Distortion Pedals Get Amazing Dirty Tone! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

Use of Distortion

Distortion is useful as it adds complexity and sustain to your tone, with complexity and sustain growing as there is an increase in the level of distortion. Distortion pedals are the easiest way to get a metal and hard rock tone. It is possible theoretically for an amp to be pushed hard enough for rock and metal tones with just overdrive pedals; however, it is a lot easier to simply use a distortion pedal.

When it comes to distortion pedals and their circuit schematic, there is another thing to know and that is the fact that there are tons of varieties. There are different kinds of distortion that are designed to be used with different genres. There are some that are intended to be focused on hard rock, some on metal and others on hard rock.

Distortion Pedal vs Using Guitar Amp Built in Distortion

When compared to guitar amp built-in distortion, distortion pedals either in front of the amp for effects loop are cool and all; however, the pedals are far too unadaptable. The enjoyment that comes from playing a Boss HM-2 and chugging out dismember riffs is precisely why, in the long run, the guitar amps built-in distortion are a superior choice. Stompboxes are basically aural novelties or as some would say, they are trick ponies. This is the reason a number of guitarists cannot stop at just one. They definitely do not have a whole lot of range.

The best distortion guitar pedals or the best tube distortion pedals that are mostly being used by metal guitarists are based directly on character tones that are well established. They are an off-the-rack, sonic crystallization of a specific sub-genre or particular bands that are already in existence. A Big Muff is a great choice for those who are into Bong Rock band. If your amp has a metal zone in front of it, retro death metal is quite hip right now so you should consider it. If you are into having HM-2 cranked all the way up, then you might find that Swedemosh and Godflesh is right up your alley.

If your aim is to blend in with the regular genre tropes or call to mind a Pavlovian comeback from listeners who have become accustomed to certain distortions, then you should go for it. This is not an attempt to put pedals down, a number of people find them quite enjoyable. In addition, they are a cute addition to a bedroom contraption and they supply useful studio “color” effects.

However, if you are one who take your tone seriously, a good guitar amp will offer you a clean blank slate that you can use to communicate your music. The metal amps like the Dual Rectifier or 5150 are the ones that are most commonly used and even they are a lot more dense and inconspicuous to people than any type of distortion pedal.

In addition, the distortion produced by the amp is generally far smoother than distortion pedal. Even the very best distortion pedals are a little twizzly and tinny. It is true that you can throw in an EQ or pull the treble down on the amp; however, all you are doing is just playing yourself. That is just attempting to imitate the sound of a good amp distortion anyway. It makes way more sense to cut out the middle-man.

There are a many players who like to accumulate the colorful little boxes. Discovering a new boutique edition of your favorite distortion stompbox that is equipped with the faceplate or an additional bass control knob. It is a satisfying little pedal board and creating a chain by deliberating the pedalboard order and considering the layout carefully is undeniably satisfying.

Instead of spending money on a series of distortion toys, use the money to purchase a sick amp. Find an amp that produces a heavy sound and write songs that are so remarkable that you will refuse to cover them up with a weak-sounding distortion pedal.

Read more – Are distortion pedals necessary? – Best Amp For Distortion Pedals – Distortion or overdrive?

Some similar options:

• Fuzz pedal
• Overdrive pedals

Included among the famous distortions are:

Boss DS-1

This is an orange pedal that is typically viewed as the original distortion stompbox and even to this day, it remains among the most reasonably priced models in the category. It has a brash tone that is definitely not for everybody; however, it can be heard on all different types of recordings. One of the noted users is Kurt Cobain and you can find the DS-1 all over Nevermind, the album from Nirvana.

Check The Latest Price On The BOSS DS-1

MXR Distortion Plus

The sound provided by this distortion is milder than the RAT or the DS-1. It is another remarkable option for those who enjoy lush distortion effects. This pedal was the one that defined a great era of guitar tones. The Output commands the loudness of the effect and the knob gives you allowance to dictate whether you would like distortion that is beautiful sounding for the rhythm sections or you have a preference to crank it all the way up to produce some riff tones and sweet lead.

Check The Latest Price On The MXR Distortion Plus

ProCo RAT

This distortion pedal is another that can be heard pretty much everywhere, particularly in indie rock. The ProCo RAT is just as gnarly as the creature it got its name from. It is also designed for your guitar to slash through a mix just like a sharp dagger.

Check The Latest Price On The ProCo RAT

The post LOOK: Distortion Pedal vs Amp Distortion For Great Guitar Tone appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

For many touring musicians, the correct distortion pedal is critical to have — particularly when incorporating backlines that local dealers or promoters provide. If you want to dial in heavy metal distortion tones with a standard Fender combo, these are perhaps your only ray of hope.

In this guitar blog‘s best distortion pedal guide, you’ll learn more about guitar pedals and some of the best models for a guitar player on the market.

What to Look for in a Distortion Pedal?

The top distortion pedals work in different ways. Some offer a lot more transparent boost in high gain distortion, reinforcing an amp’s characteristics; while others could do the opposite — kicking in varying distortions to give a completely different sound signature to the rig. Choosing a distortion pedal, therefore, isn’t that straightforward. If you are not sure about what you need or what to look for in the pedal, you may not like what you bought.

Each kind of distortion pedal has specific settings, a particular shape, and some special in-house mixing thrown in. Choosing one, therefore, can be truly overwhelming and confusing. Start with the pedal’s functionality. Do you fancy a fuzz distortion’s grittiness? Or you want a more prominent attach with less crackle? If you are feeling more adventurous, you might like to stack both the types atop an existing overdriven amp, pulling in a noise gate for assistance.

Another important thing to consider is general shape. Are you eyeing a more vintage-voiced distortion or a slightly more modern pedal? Knowing what you truly need goes a long way in helping you inch closer to the right distortion pedal. The recommendations below comprise blendable drives, amp-inspired circuits, and multi-channel offerings of different types of distortion pedals at various price points.

Info And Our Best Distortion Pedal Recommendations

Looking for a good starting point and a wide range of top distortion pedal choices – here you go!

Best Of All Time – MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion

The MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion offers great value for money, thanks to its sheer musicality and solid touch dynamics. It, in fact, is comparable to the feel and response a valve amp may provide and our pick for best distortions of all time. Super Badass offers a lot of distortion that helps cover a range of metal and rock styles due to the three-band EQ sweeping through thick overdrives to more metallic and scooped thrills. With impressive noise levels and touch sensitivity, the M75 is a solid allrounder for pretty much any type of gain seeker.

The pedal is compact, sturdy, and showcases high-level craftsmanship. It’s a completely analog true bypass medal that offers a natural and organic tone for an affordable price. The stomp box is very responsive and employs a nifty feature — a full-blown EQ for tone control. Besides that, you get an input jack, an output jack, an on/off foot-switch, and a LED status indicator. There are five control knobs: distortion, output, mid, treble, and bass.

The output knob adjusts the distortion effect level that gets infused into the audio output. When cranked up too high, your final mix would be fraught with the less clean and more distorted guitar signal. The distortion knob adjusts the gain level, which is critical to transparent overdrive and distortion effects. It ascertains whether you get vintage rock distortion or an all-out modern metal groove. Long story short, the MXR M75 Super Badass distortion is highly versatile.

Pros

• Great amount of character for the price
• Three-band EQ
• Low noise
• Broad gain range

Cons

• Low-gain sounds could be better

This option is my favorite among all these top distortion pedals especially when paired with one of these best compressor for metal pedals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb4edxvzM0Y

Check The Current Price On The MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion

For Metal – TC Electronic Dark Matter

The Dark Matter by TC Electronic is a classy Brit, valve-like rock and metal distortion/overdrive pedal that sounds quite natural making it our top pick for top distortion for metal. The range runs from an amp that starts to break up to a complete throaty roar. The sound reacts to pick pressure well and cleans up when you’ve rolled off the volume. The midrange response could be tweaked using the voice switch, with a focus on the higher or lower mids.

The pedal is extremely affordable, compact, and yet quite effective. In fact, it should be your option of choice if you’re on a tight budget. Unlike other makers, TC Electronic doesn’t show interest in recreating the classic vibe. The Dark Matter 80’s metal distortion pedal is yet another TC Electronic offering that has a more futuristic and practical outlook. The objective has always been to encompass a maximum level of performance into the most compact chassis possible. The Dark Matter is undeniably simple, small, and extremely rugged for heavy metal distortion.

The control selection and layout go well with the true characteristic of this pedal. You have four knobs — of which two are your conventional ‘gain’ and ‘volume’ controls. The other two knobs create a two-band EQ without mid controls. This, however, does not impact sound significantly. There is also a small toggle switch that changes the low end. In other words, it provides the sound some girth. As far as performance goes, Dark Matter covers a complete array of sonic profiles, ranging from modern metal to classic rock distortion and hard rock.

Pros

• Natural sound
• Handy tone controls
• Easy access to the battery
• Decent price

Cons

• The two voices lack a bit of distinctiveness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usX6GKvYkAI

Check The Current Price On The TC Electronic Dark Matter

For Bass – Tech 21 RIP Red Ripper Bass Distortion

Tech 21 is a brand known for its well-designed bass distortion pedals. The RIP Red Ripper is its popular model and also an extremely capable choice available on the market. From the look of it, the Red Ripper means business. It’s wider compared to your traditional stompbox, without breaching double-wide model territory. The color scheme is quite striking — the sharp red hue over white is attention-grabbing. It’s not just colorful but also built well — on par with distortions known for their durability or ability to take some abuse.

The Red Ripper stays true to regular guitar layout conventions. In other words, the ‘gain’ and ‘level’ knobs and the three-band EQ work as a team. There is a R.I.P. knob too that lets you choose between different kinds of distortion. For bass guitars, this could come in quite handy, considering how difficult it could be to dial in solid tones that will not muffle things within its vicinity. There is also a low pass filter to clear the response a bit.

The RIP Red Ripper offers solid range — it’s something you would get introduced to upon hooking up everything and pressing that true bypass switch. The basic combination of level, EQ, and gain should be good enough for the Red Ripper to sound great. However, when you add R.I.P. control and low pass filter, things go from solid to excellent almost instantly. When set to default, the pedal adds an abrasive texture to your guitar signal. However, when you add distortion modulation, you realize how far Red Ripper bass distortion can keep things articulated.

Pros

• Excellent sound
• Loads of gain
• Built like a tank
• Attractive color scheme

Cons

• Synth settings could have been better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B80nhfguO2M

Check The Current Price On The Tech 21 RIP Red Ripper Bass Distortion

Cheap – Boss DS-1

Boss makes a range of guitar effects pedals for both bass and electric guitars. The DS1 is a simple, yet robust distortion guitar pedal making it a great choice for cheap distortion pedal. Having been up for grabs for more than three decades, the DS1 is a true classic. It’s well-built and quite capable, despite being fairly tiny in size. As mentioned earlier, the pedal is easy to use and also comes bundled in with a user manual that covers the pedal’s basics and some preset options so that you could get rolling with it quickly.

The three knobs — level, tone, and distortion — situated on the front help you shape and tune your sound in ways you wish to. However, more than the controls, it’s the sound output quality that truly shines. You could even use the pedal for keyboard and bass. As far as performance goes, you could traverse from high gains to low ends, choose a song of your choice, or compose your own tune from scratch.

Though the DS1 distortion is a cheaper option, it can also play the role of an overdrive. However, to get it to work like an overdrive, you should know more than a thing or two about effects. The takeaway is that the pedal would impress you in ways you may not have expected it to. You can even do modifications to this pedal for increased sound widening and depth. Long story short, the DS-1 is a best-selling and best distortion pedals option that is versatile enough to be your very first pedal or complement your existing collection of guitar pedals.

Pros

• A best-seller at a good price
• Versatile
• Easy to use
• Different mastering options

Cons

• May not work with certain setups

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-88lrO_jcw

Check The Current Price On The Boss DS-1

For Pop Punk – Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

The Ibanez TS9 is an iconic guitar effects pedal that offers warmth, gain, and crunch to your tone. Unlike other overdrives, this pick for distortion pedals for pop punk complements your guitar tone and not tries to reinvent the wheel. With just three controls — drive, level, and tone — the TS9 is your low-fuss and simple effects pedal. The controls are simple but the quality, nuance, and subtlety under the hood prove the pedal is a lot more capable than what its looks might suggest.

The TS9 works for guitarists who do not want a gain-saturated overdrive tone. This is certainly not your searing death metal tone. The TS9 would offer you anything from a warm crunch to a mean and clean tone, to a guttural growl. If blues and rock is your kind of music, you would enjoy this pedal a great deal.

The tone you receive from the TS9 would vary based on the primary instrument being used. Instead of creating a fresh tone, it emphasizes the existing tone. This is unlike some other pedals that make your tone sound the same regardless of the instrument being used. This explains why the TS9 has been used by renowned and budding artists across the globe for so long.

Pros

• Excellent sound quality and range
• Works great on its own and also when teamed with other distortions and overdrives
• Multiple potential uses
• Affordable price

Cons

• The green could be polarizing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDEetp4snpM

Check The Current Price On The Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Overdrive Distortion – Fulltone OCD V2 Overdrive Distortion

The Fulltone OCD V2 is among the top overdrive distortion pedal stompboxes. It’s among the few guitar pedals that get an overdriven tube amp’s sound and response right. This is the second version of the original Fulltone OCD. And with this model, Fulltone has managed to one-up the original in pretty much every way imaginable.

Just like its predecessor, the OCD V2 comes with controls for drive, tone, and volume. It also features a 3PDT footswitch and a toggle switch to manage high and low peak. The newer features it brings to the table are an “enhanced bypass” switch and a selectable true bypass. The enhanced bypass switch helps return tone loss and dynamics from the different effects and cables, in addition to pop-free switching. The tone control, based on your pick attack, works best between fully clockwise and noon, allowing for increased clarity or edge.

A fresh output buffer lets your sound to stay consistent irrespective of where the OCD goes in the guitar signal chain. It also decreases hard-clipping stage loading for increased sustain. The OCD V2 seems like it finds the right chord on an amp. It churns out overdriven resonances that sound full and warm, with an authentic tube-like response. There is zero usable drive shortage, which means it boosts overdriven grit dynamically, from saturated distortion to dirty overtones.

Pros

• Great sound
• Amazing build quality
• The HP/LP switch is convenient
• Extremely versatile for what it is

Cons

• Plain Jane looks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpBB-TUFlCI

Check The Current Price On The Fulltone OCD V2 Overdrive Distortion

80s – Pro Co Rat 2

Released in 1988, the ProCo Rat 2 is the second variant of the Pro Co Rat that was known for some truly high gain levels and our pick for 80s distortion pedal. The original Rat had trademark hard clipping, thanks to the two silicon diodes producing a distortion that was aggressive and smooth at the same time. The Rat2 is budget-friendly that offers a range of sonic diversity and plenty of room to work with different styles.

Designed to be utilized as a primary distortion, Rat2 is a sturdily built pedal in a stealth grey casing. It has three very responsive and sensitive control knobs, which let you dial in pretty much anything from metal crunch to lighter drive. The zones that the Rat2 finds itself extremely comfortable in are hard rock and massive rock tones. Besides these knobs, you get your standard on/off foot-switch, which makes the pedal sleek and clean in terms of its design.

Besides looking good, the Rat2 80’s distortion pedal is highly practical as well. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and fits pretty much any pedalboard. Coming back to the control knobs, they are basically your controls for distortion, filter, and volume. The distortion knob controls distortion and gain effects level. The filter control works slightly differently. It retains a certain base of all frequencies. In other words, extreme values won’t be useless super-wet or super-dry sounds. Those will be tones you could actually use. Also called the level knob, volume control adjusts the distortion effect level that goes in the audio outputted.

Pros

• A lot of gain on offer
• Handy filter control
• Unique distortion trait
• Handy knob controls

Cons

• Fuzzy sound may not appeal to everyone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruPLYTl3QM8

Check The Current Price On The Pro Co Rat2

Analog – DigiTech DHH Hot Head Analog-Distortion Pedal

The DigiTech DHH is your friend when you require some grit and our pick for analog distortion pedal. These versatile or multipurpose distortion options come with flexible controls, letting you dial in correct tones for your rig. The Hot Head will do the job whether you need some dirt or want to amplify your sound to the next level. High and low tone controls offer you the option to cut or boost the treble and bass frequencies. The ‘level’ control or knob boosts your signal’s output level. The ‘gain’ control dials up wild to mild distortion.

If you like the Boss DS-1, you would like the DigiTech Hot Head too since it’s a faithful recreation of the DS-1. Besides incorporating much of what the DS-1 packs in, the Hot Head adds a few features of its own too. The two-band EQ comes in quite handy, particularly when compared to DS-1’s tone knob. It also has more gain and volume compared to DS-1. With some dialing, you can easily discover great distorted tones. This pedal should, in fact, offer good bass presence and solid chord definition with a Telecaster.

The Hot Head analog is quite a solid proposition. It’s quite versatile — heavy enough for most music styles. Since the pedal borrows a lot of inspiration from the DS-1, it tends to get overlooked quite often. If you choose to overlook the DS-1 connection, you will realize that the DigiTech Hot Head offers a lot of pedal for the money.

Pros

• Looks and feels nice
• Churns out great sound
• Great EQ controls
• Solid value offering

Cons

• Not enough gain for metalheads

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG8s9zv7fwg

Check The Current Price On The DigiTech DHH Hot Head Analog-Distortion Pedal

For Blues – Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

The Boss BD-2, particularly when compared to the DS-1, is a much tamer Boss family member and our top choice for blues distortion pedal. Despite primarily being a boost/overdrive pedal, it does offer a solid level of grit when you turn up the gain knob. Like all Boss products, the BD-2 boasts high-quality build. The quality construction might pleasantly surprise some buyers since the BD-2 is a fairly affordable offering. Not to mention, the solid build gives the pedal a certain amount of heft and premium feel.

Boss describes the BD-2 as a pedal that offers a kind of emotive distortion and warm overdrive that are usually synonymous with classic tube amps. While the BD-2 does lack some responsiveness and warmth most players identify with tube amps, the BD-2 makes up for that by offering a surprisingly broad range of moderate to subtle distortion.

The BD-2 blues is a clean boost guitar pedal that lets you use its level knob for either boosting or cutting the signal volume. The fact that it’s durable, affordable, and quiet makes the BD-2 a solid boost pedal, perhaps edging several dedicated boosters due to its capability to add on-demand distortion.

Pros

• Great sound
• Well built
• Solid value offering

Cons

• Sound needs some variety

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ZjSFetDmA

Check The Current Price On The Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

Boutique – Friedman BE-OD Distortion Pedals

The Freidman BE-OD is the pedal version of the BE-100, which itself is inspired from Marshall amps. It is also our choice for boutique distortion pedal.  The BE-OD oozes with thunder and class on all fronts. It, as expected, packs in some gargantuan tones into one tiny box. There is a significantly pronounced bite and enhanced output — the tight control helps with a more delineated attack. Then, there is the irresistible vintage gain.

For controls, the BE-OD offers a nice knob suite: volume, bass, gain, tight, treble, and presence. There is an inner gain pot too, which helps with sound customization. The BE-OD has been built to look and work like a high-quality guitar pedal. The chassis is diecast metal that can easily take some beating. The knobs feel sturdy and nice too.

Once you learn how each knobs work, using the BE-OD becomes a breeze. And once the right kind of gain has been found, finding your desired tone is then just a matter of time. Treble and bass must be set to preferred levels. If you have used a Marshall Plexi or Freidman 100BE before, you should feel at home with the BE-OD.

Pros

• Truly growls when pushed
• Close to unlimited gain
• Great value considering the tones provided
• Solidly built

Cons

• Takes some getting used to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CPdvyJVDkc

Check The Current Price On The Friedman BE-OD

Best Distortion Pedals Conclusion

Other quick recommendations:

• Earthquaker Devices Acapulco Golds Pedal.
• Big Muff Pi
• Fender Pugilist Distortion
• JHS Angry Charlie
• Walrus Audio Iron Horse V2 LM308
• Wampler Sovereign
• MXR M104

If your intermediate or beginner-level guitar amp is producing annoying and not good distortion sounds, a pedal is a cost-effective way in price to upgrade the sound. In fact, even an otherwise dud guitar amp can be turned into a ‘tone machine’ with the right pedal. And if the guitar amp is sweet already, you could make it sound even better. Kindly note, there is no perfect pedal or the distortion pedals that’s capable of doing it all. In other words, these are the one that suits your requirements. If you know what you’re looking for in the pedal, you should be happy with your best distortion purchase.

Looking for something more specific?  Look at these too!

• Best overdrive pedals
• Tube distortion pedals
• Distortion for 80’s Metal
• High gain distortion pedals
• best overdrive for metal

The post THESE 10 Best Distortion Pedals Will Melt Your Face! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

When buying a distortion pedal, there is much to think about. Typically, it is just easier to look at what is used by your favorite guitarists and go from there. However, you should know that some of the best distortion pedals are not suitable for all types of metal. Your specific genre will play a major role in deciding the pedal that best suits you.

Do You Need a Distortion Pedal to Play Metal?

The majority of amps provide an on board distortion channel that you can pick. Some individuals just do not like the on board distortion; therefore, so they buy a pedal to place in front of the amp to get the desired distortion sound. If you like the distortion provided by your amp, then there is absolutely no reason to get any best distortion pedals.

However, the best distortion pedal for metal will infuse your tone with some grit and depending on the option you select, it will either produce some supreme earth-shattering, doom-laden distortion or some serious rocking crunch by completely saturating and overtaking the signal. Typically, it hardly matters how soft or hard you play, you will get the same effect.

Usually, a distortion pedal is linked to heavy rock bands as they darken the output and can even give the signal a boost. Additionally, it compresses the signal enabling you to appreciate way more sustain that will ultimately break into feedback. If the high gain sounds of the solid state amplifier are your preference or the heavier, tighter and dirtier sound of the heavy metal world, you will enjoy using a distortion pedal.  Solid state players can also look at this best distortion pedals for solid state amps here.

How Do You Get Metal Distortion?

To achieve metal distortion, you will need to use a consistent amount of attack to hit the notes. Among the most vital skills of any good metal guitar player is how hard he or she can hit the strings consistently without the notes becoming obscured. A good exercise is to use consecutive eighth notes to palm mute and downtick the low E string; this should be done at a medium tempo for a full minute. While doing this, you should record yourself and listen if you are achieving consistency. When your upper limit is discovered and it can be controlled for extended periods, the other playing phases will become even clearer.

Another way to get American metal distortion and rock is by figuring out the amount of amp gain you will need. Sustain and saturation are provided by more high gain, while less gain will provide clarity, note separation and a tighter low-end attack. You can practice getting an immaculate metal guitar tone by taking your guitar in hand and proceeding to bring down your gain as low as possible while making sure that an aggressive sound is maintained.

Additionally, with guitar being a midrange instrument and the mids producing cut and definition, you should not scoop your mids. Any of these options for 80’s metal best distortion pedals below should work well for you – especially when paired with reverb and chorus. The same goes for modern metal too!  Check out these top metal guitar amplifier recommendations or these classic rock distortion pedals, metal compressors and best metal choruses too!

Our Recommendations:

TC Electronic Dark Matter Distortion Effect Pedal

This is our top recommendation for 1980’s high gain metal best distortion pedals!

TC Electronic are renowned for providing the market with some of the most efficient and practical guitar effects. As it relates to reasonably priced gain-rich distortions, this true bypass pedal is difficult to beat. This compact chassis is designed to take a beating, if required and it has loads of gain and all analog circuitry. The sound it produces can be labeled as a tube head that is being pushed to the edge of failure but without the dangers typically involved with doing anything like that. It is truly a reasonable masterpiece that is designed to keep up with our demands. This is as good as it gets if you want a versatile and budget-friendly distortion pedal.

Where the majority of brands in the industry attempt to recreate the vintage vibe, this pedal is all about the future. Basically, the goal seems to be packing a huge amount of performance into the tiniest chassis available. It is simple, small and ultimately rugged. Confidence is inspired by the chassis, making players believe they could easily be put through its paces on stage without any thought of failure. When it comes to the finish, there really is not much to look at; however, the manufacturer is renowned to pull off beauty with simplicity. Besides its logo, you are only left with a black background with plain white labels over it. However, this wasn’t intended to be stunning but a source of producing the best uncompromising high gain.

Check The Current Price On The TC Electronic Dark Matter Distortion Effect Pedal

Boss DS-1

DS-1 is among the best and most popular and most misunderstood distortion guitar pedals ever made. A number of individuals expect to simply plug it into a signal chain and it will produce that thick distortion. However, this is just not how the pedal works. Rather than using chaotic distortion to crush your tone, like many of the contemporary models, this pedal is designed with spicing up your clean channel in mind. But it can also help with cleaning up the signal that is already passing through a more forceful distortion pedal. It can be a bit tricky to learn how to use the DS-1 and this is why a number of new users are disappointed. Once all of its intricacies are figured out though, this pedal could become your favorite. DS-1 is the kind of pedal you will keep on all the time. It is tremendously unique and one of the most reasonably priced best distortion pedals available at the moment.

The DS-1 is undoubtedly a certified classic that has flourished on the market for more than 30 years. It has remained in the manufacturing process in a category among the best-selling distortion pedals of all time. This pedal has helped musicians like Joe Satriani and Kurt Cobain add spice to their sounds which have stunned crowds all across the world. It is extremely durable and will stand the test of time, in spite of its tiny compact design, which is a specialty of its designer.

Check The Current Price On The Boss DS-1

Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

When it comes to the most highly sought after distortion pedals for 80’s metal, there is a model that is well-known across the globe. This is clearly none other than the exceptional Boss MT-2 Metal Zone. This classic gain box is both hated and loved by many. There is diversity in the world of heavy metal distortion pedals; however, the majority of guitarists typically relate a single model with this niche. It is a misunderstood distortion box that is frequently viewed as an option for newbies.

However, if some finesse is applied to it, this pedal elevates to a whole new level. Its design is simple but the manufacturer intended the Boss Metal Zone to be a versatile device that brings to the table a lot of gain. Its four-band EQ allows you to make changes to the performance in many ways.

Boss is among those brands that are firmly established in their ways. Typically, this does not apply to their circuitry; however, it certainly applies to the design of their pedal chassis. This pedal has the same body that has been seen many times in the past. This ultimate stomp pedal has the capacity to take a remarkable amount of abuse. Since all their gear is color coded, the MT-2 is among the most recognizable metal pedals currently available. You just can’t miss its sleek black finish with its bright orange markings and labels. A 9V battery or a DC adapter will keep it juiced up.

Check The Current Price On The Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

A simple and yet quite effective pedal, the Big Muff Pi provides you with the opportunity to dial in a bit of grit and go up through to total ’70s classic fuzz. This classic pedal, which highly likely that you have heard it on recordings without realizing it, is built like a tank as well. There is no need to be concerned about pampering it. Where fuzz pedals are concerned, there is a model that is so popular that even individuals who dislike this type of distortion sounds are merely too curious to resist the urge to give it a try.

Having been around for decades, the EHX Big Muff Pi is now in a category among the elite pedals that could be found in a fictional all-star pedalboard. The level of impact this device has on the business can be decided by the fact that most modern fuzz pedals are directly or indirectly based on the circuitry of Big Muff Pi. It is not the first or the best fuzz pedal at the moment; however, it is still the big daddy of the game and reigns supreme over all of the other renowned fuzz pedals.

The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi is quite a big distortion pedal that cannot exactly be described as being a lightweight. The enclosure of the pedal is made out of a quality metal alloy, which has the capacity to withstand the type of beating that only a passionate rock stage sound can deliver, yet walk away from it being totally unscathed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZK27hbjqFU

Check The Current Price On The Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

MXR M116 Fullbore Metal

This is among the oldest brands in the industry; however, that is not an indication that they are incapable of satisfying the needs of a modern guitarist. As it relates to metal music, this pedal is remarkable, especially for those who are looking to get a bang for their buck. Not only does it deliver that raw, sought after distortion, but it comes with all the necessary tools to bend that performance to satisfy your needs as well. It is quite simple on the outside but is fully analog and features true bypass and a built-in noise gate. Because of its versatility, this pedal can even be used with underpowered single coil guitars and this is amazing.

It is very tricky to nail down modern distortion pedals. There are a number of ridiculous pedal on the market that do nothing more than adding a ton of useless gain to your signal. However, the MXR M116 Fullbore Metal is far from being ridiculous. It looks tremendously raw, although it is available in that quite familiar MXR chassis. Rather than going with a black or orange color theme, the metal was left untreated and it has ended up that its rugged appearance goes remarkably with what the pedal represents. Overall, nothing is really attractive about its raw design. Where durability is concerned, this is the standard bulletproof design with the capacity to take any abuse that is dished out. That is certainly one of the things MXR distortion knows how to deliver. In addition, this pedal can be powered by a 9V battery or a DC adapter.

Check The Current Price On The MXR M116 Fullbore Metal

KHDK Dark Blood Distortion

Unlike the understated graphics used in some of the other KHDK pedals, this model stands out proudly with its remarkable red embossed motif on its otherwise glum black casing. It is also a brutal-sounding pedal that delivers an impressive sound.

The Dark Blood has a crunch to it that is deeply satisfying as it sounds aggressive and clear all throughout its impressive range of gain. This has the potential to be a remarkably transformative pedal if the drive channel on your amp is substandard or you if have a single channel clean amp. An onboard noise gate is included to keep background noise to a minimum; however, the Doom knob is the major selling point. It is designed to dial in a shocking landslide of bottom-end to produce a crushing tone. Its Hi/Lo switch allows for tweaking – the Hi setting amplifies the sustain and top-end for lead breaks, while the Lo setting enhances the grunt factor for rhythm. The treble control is also equipped with loads of range.

For metalheads, having all this power in a reasonably priced pedal is definitely a dream come true. Use Dark Blood with your rig and you will experience the ultimate ruthless metal attack. Additionally, when your tone gets sorted, nothing else will matter.

Check The Current Price On The KHDK Dark Blood Distortion

Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal

Nowadays, the distortion effect market is filled with great modern designs; however, there are also some vintage ones. This pedal has stood the test of time and is old school in every single way. Its enclosure brings back memories of the era when effects pedals were newly becoming a thing and the tone it produces is in a category of its own.

As a result, RAT2 has found its way onto the pedalboards of a number of popular musicians. Just by glancing at the control panel you will see that this pedal is easy to use. During the period in which it was designed, the name of the game was simplicity. Although it provides an impression of a fairly limited stompbox, when it comes to distortion, this pedal packs much range. It can easily be a more menacing metal tone or be adapted to a gentler rock sound. In addition to this, Pro Co RAT2 is among the most reasonably priced iconic distortion boxes currently available.

This pedal was designed to be used as a primary distortion and its sturdy gray casing is super strong. It has just three control knobs; however, each is highly responsive and sensitive. This enables you to dial in anything ranging from metal crunch to lighter drive. You should bear in mind that this pedal is most comfortable when in hard rock and massive rock tones.

Check The Current Price On The Pro Co RAT2 Distortion Pedal

Some Other Cool 80’s Distortion Options

• DOD Metal Maniac
• Rowin Holy Wars
• Yamaha SHD-100
• Donner Morpher
• Ibanez Tubescreamer

Conclusion

It is simply a fat that the best distortion pedals provide a shortcut to a remarkable heavy metal tone. In addition to that, they are the ideal tool that can be used to figure out how to handle gain in general. They models that are listed above are in a category among the best. Pedals from different price ranges have been included to make sure that just about anyone can find a pedal despite his or her budget. If you are new to playing metal, any one of the distortion boxes highlighted above will provide you with that gain-heavy and classic tone that makes metal so amazing.

Related reading:

• Best guitar pickups for metal
• best delay pedal for metal
• best overdrive pedal for metal
• flanger pedals for metal

The post AT LAST: The 7 Best Distortion Pedal For 80’s Metal! appeared first on Happy New Guitar Day.

So what makes a pedal of the distorted variety be called high gain distortion?

What To Look For

There are many different things to look at.  Probably one of the most important things to consider is that just because the effects pedal has the word “metal” in the name, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are looking at the right thing.  I find that a lot of times, companies use the word mainly for marketing.  So don’t choose a guitar pedal just based on the name.

The other thing to consider is the amp that you are using.  Does it already have super gain in the first place?  Maybe you actually don’t need this type of pedal and can get away with creating the desired guitar tone plugging straight into the amp.

I also like something that has the ability to really dial in a good guitar tone.  Now, to be fair, I also like simple ones that are more plug and play.  So, when you see my recommendations below, you will see that I kind of choose the best of both worlds.

What Is High Gain?

Personally, I equate this to be a modern metal guitar tone.  Kind of like taking distortion to the extreme.  If you think about most metal guitar tones, this is probably where you are going to find it.

Our Top High Gain Distortion Pedals Recommendations

• Wampler Dracarys High Gain Distortion Pedal
• Xotic SL Drive Distortion
• BOSS Mega Distortion
• MXR M116 Fullbore Distortion
• Keeley Filaments Distortion

Some more options for best distortion pedal or best distortion pedal for metal here.

Wampler Dracarys High Gain Distortion Pedal

If you’re looking for a high-gain distortion pedal that will make your guitar sound like it was recorded in the 80s, then look no further.

The Wampler Dracarys is an all-analog distortion pedal with two distinct modes of operation. It has a warm mode and a hot mode to give you more tonal options than most other pedals on the market today.

With this pedal, you can go from mild overdrive to full-on metal mayhem without having to mess around with knobs or settings. You just plug in and play! This is great if you are playing live because there’s less time spent messing with your gear so you have more time to focus on rocking out!

Xotic SL Drive

You’re looking for a distortion pedal that can give your guitar the edge it needs to stand out in a mix. A little bit of grit and grind is what you need, but not too much. Something that will make people take notice without being overbearing or harsh. And something with just enough gain to cut through the mix when needed.

The Xotic SL Drive Distortion Pedal has all this and more! It’s got three different modes – Clean Boost, Classic Overdrive, and High Gain – so you can dial in exactly what you want from your sound. Plus it’s got an active 3-band EQ built right into the unit so you can tweak your tone even further if desired. And did we mention how great it looks? This thing is gorgeous!

BOSS Mega Distortion

You’re looking at the BOSS Mega Distortion pedal. It has a huge amount of gain on tap, and it’s got an awesome tone that is perfect for hard rock and metal.

The BOSS Mega Distortion pedal has three modes to choose from; Clean, Crunch, and Lead. Each mode gives you a different sound with its own character. This means you can get your crunchy rhythm tones in one setting, then switch over to lead for some soaring solos without having to change any settings or dials!

If you want a great distortion pedal that will give you tons of options as far as sounds go, this is definitely the way to go! With so many features packed into such a small unit, it would be silly not to check out what this thing can do!

MXR M116 Fullbore

You’re looking at the MXR M116 Fullbore distortion pedal. It has a very warm sound and is great for blues, country, classic rock or even heavy metal!

The Fullbore delivers that vintage tube amp tone you love in an easy-to-use stompbox. This pedal will give your guitar the natural overdrive of a cranked up tube amp without losing any of its original tone.

If you want to get that full on Marshall stack sound with just one stomp then this is the pedal for you! With three simple knobs (Volume, Tone and Drive) it couldn’t be easier to dial in your perfect tone. And if you’re not sure where to start we’ve included some presets so all you have to do is press play!

Keeley Filaments

The Keeley Filaments Distortion Pedal is the latest pedal from Keeley Electronics. It’s a distortion pedal that gives you all of the great tones of an overdriven tube amp, but with none of the hassle or cost.

This distortion pedal has been designed to give you everything you need in a distortion pedal without any unnecessary features or complications. You can get great sounds out of it by just plugging it into your guitar and turning up your volume knob on your guitar!

If you want to sound like Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Slash, Jack White or even Kurt Cobain then this is for you! The Keeley Filaments Distortion Pedal will help make those dreams come true!

Looking for more options?  Check out these best distortion pedals for classic rock options.

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