Boss MT-2 Metal Zone

If you like your guitar sound with a tinge of scooped-mid madness, or you are dealing with an amp that is undernourished in the distortion department, this is the pedal for you. This little gray box has the sonic illusion of making your micro practice amp sound like you are playing through a stack of high gain amps. Realistically though, this isn’t going to replace your mighty Marshall or Boogie, but for those on a budget, the MT-2 comes pretty darn close – as long as you aren’t afraid of a little knob twiddling. The drive sounds are extremely tight and focused with enough sustain to last for days. Coupled with a real tube amp this thing can really sing. Don’t let the pedal’s fist-pumping moniker lead you to believe this is for metalheads only; the Metal Zone can summon up a wide range of distortion flavors that should appeal to anyone in need of a little crunch or sustain. The MT-2′s gain can back off nicely due when used in conjunction with the handy 3 band EQ section and a bit of experimentation with the versatile drive knob. Don’t expect it to back off into the mellow range of a Tube Screamer, but you can tame this pedal nicely with a bit of subtle picking dynamics.