Achieving that perfect tone in metal music can be harder than you’d initially expect if you don’t have the best distortion pedals for metal.
So if you’re a budding rock artist that wants to get more of your practice sessions or performances, you might be confused and challenged to choose the right distortion pedal for metal. For help, check out this guide below.
Contents
7 Best Distortion Pedals For Metal
- Horizon Devices Precision Drive
- Wampler Tumnus V2 Overdrive & Boost Guitar Effects Pedal
- Friedman Amplification BE-OD Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal
- JHS Bonsai 9-Way Screamer Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Guitar Effects Pedal
- MXR EVH5150 Overdrive
- EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 Power Amp Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal
Also Great | Editor's Choice | Budget Pick |
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Horizon Devices Precision | ||
Horizon Devices Precision Drive
If you’re looking for the best distortion pedals for metal, you might want to consider the Horizon Devices Precision Drive. It is a specially designed overdrive for metal.
For those who love metal sounds, this distortion pedal for rock offers us with tons of settings through the Attack Rotary switch that can eliminate any unnecessary mud in the low end.
It also includes the integrated Noisegate, offering quiet sound through suppressing any additional sound due to more gain. On the other hand, I liked that it can also function to deliver an effect with a higher setting.
With the Horizon Devices Precision Drive, you won’t have to worry about perfecting your tone again.
This reliable distortion pedal for metal offers a great overdrive but for much less the price. I also liked that the distortion pedal offers different levels of attack, allowing for that perfect punch without compromising sound quality.
- Allows controlling your cut in the mix as well as fine tuning your sound
- Comes with a built-in noise gate for noise reduction and tight tones
- Not the best-looking distortion pedal
- Pricey
Wampler Tumnus V2 Overdrive & Boost Guitar Effects Pedal
The Wampler Tumnus V2 is one of the perfect additions to your set up no matter your style. And if you love metal, you can better rock the show with perfect sound effects to engage your audience further.
I liked that this distortion pedal offers versatility for more functions. You can use it with other pedals when shaping the total gain.
More so, I’d like to recommend this distortion pedal because it can function as a standalone overdrive. Aside from that, you’ll appreciate that it can be used to push your amp’s front end for a dirty boost.
As it is also not a true bypass, it can also be used as a buffer. The pedal also has a buffered bypass tone in itself. In addition, this model has three easy to access knobs for gain, volume and tone.
- Can be used in combination with other pedals to shape the total gain
- Allows quick dialing in the tones with three control knobs
- A bit bulky
- Might take a little getting used to at first
Friedman Amplification BE-OD Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal
The Friedman BE-OD Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal is one of the top-rated distortion pedals around and for reasons. One of the things that users love about it is its genuine-sounding British overdrive tones, which are pretty impressive.
I also would like to recommend this effects pedal because of the included True Bypass switching, adding to its functionality and versatility.
The BE OD is also able to capture every tone of the BE-100 amplifier.
I love that the BE OD is also able to deliver supreme tube-amplifier sound with coming from a pedal along with the controls required to shape our tone that include tight, volume, gain, presence and treble.
- Great amp sound capture
- Can run between 9 an d 18 V direct current without battery
- Controls might be hard to access at first
- Might have to buy the BE-100 amplifier for the best tone produced
JHS Bonsai 9-Way Screamer Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal
The JHS Bonsai 9-Way Screamer is one of the top picks in the category. If you’re looking to feel the screaming valves of overdrive, you should check out this distortion pedal.
You’d like that it lets you produce some mid-bump grind or dirty boost. Both of these features allow for more flexibility in your music style.
I also like to recommend the effects pedal that it’s able to boasts the same components as the sources using the rotary control. All in one package, you’d get nine different overdrive pedals, too.
It is also easy to control. Just by choosing a mode on the Bonsai distortion pedal, we can activate the specific components that are also particular to each unit.
- Comes with 9 different overdrive pedals
- Includes an easy to control rotary knob
- Can be hard to control at first
- A bit bulky
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Guitar Effects Pedal
Performing on gigs or practicing, you’ll gain more confidence with a reliable effects pedal. You might want to take a second look at the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi Guitar Effects Pedal.
I noticed that the effects pedal for metal is user-friendly. You can easily access the volume knob that allows you to control the output level. So whether you want it louder or not, you can easily set it using the volume knob.
When it comes to the tone, the Electro-Harmonix is designed with a tone knob, offering a host of sounds. A few of these include a deep bass or a high treble. Whatever sound effects you want it to produce, you’ll get it.
I also liked that it comes with a True Bypass feature that makes it even more versatile.
With the distortion pedal, you can mind the singing and playing and the device will help sustain it with an attitude for the sustain knob that adjusts the level of distortion and sustain.
- Beginner-friendly knobs’ placement and design
- Easy to access volume knob to adjust output level
- Might have to replace batteries from time to time
- Expensive
MXR EVH5150 Overdrive
MXR has a long legacy in the music world, and even pro musicians that perform on concerts have proven its reliability. It keeps up with its commitment to quality of its music devices, such as the MXR EVH5150.
One thing I’d like to note about the MXR EVH5150 is that it was designed in collaboration with Eddie Van Halen. And the result was a distortion pedal that delivers a host of hyper-driven and powerful saturation within your reach.
I noticed its nicely positioned controls for output and gain, allowing us to set both distortion and volume levels.
This model also allows us to shape our sound based on our preference with the 3 EQ band section.
It also includes a boost switch that can activate it into a high gear tone that has compression and extra gain. This feature makes the musical device more versatile and ideal for those looking to get more of what they’d dish out for it.
- Ultra versatile and value for money
- Comes with a boost switch and multi-stage MOSFETs
- Heavier than other models in the same category
- Might not be beginner-friendly
EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold V2 Power Amp Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal
The Acapulco Gold V2 is another distortion effects pedal to choose from and use if you’re looking for a versatile and reliable one.
One impressive characteristic of the pedal is the easy-to-access big knob that allows us to set the output level conveniently. It delivers the output level for which you set it.
For instance, expect that it will roar as if it is a wide–open Model T if you set the guitar’s volume high. There is no doubt as it’s designed after the Model T amp, which delivers the clarity and openness that a tube amplifier can supply.
Overall, the EarthQuaker is a decent choice for those looking for a versatile distortion pedal that comes with strategically positioned controls.
- Can run on either 9 VDC power supply or 9V batteries
- Strategically positioned controls
- Footswitch might break in time
- Pricey
What to Know about Distortion Pedals For Metal
Check out the following for what to know about distortion pedals for metal and later the latest picks to help you decide which to choose.
Difference between overdrive and distortion
The overdrive produces a warmer and milder effect, while the distortion delivers a heavier and thicker effect. It’s the simplest way of categorizing the two.
In addition, the overdrive can produce a more natural sound but a brash one with a distortion.
Another thing to remember is that overdrive pedal can modify the sonic effect that you’re already producing. So if you’re playing classic rock, you might want to choose an overdrive pedal.
Easy Access Controls in Performances
Gibson.com advises to consider a pedal that will let sound dialing and modifying as quickly as possible, and that applies whether you’re planning to use it in jamming with friends or performing in an event.
Choose pedals that beautifully commands both overdrive and distortion
If you’re looking for more value out of the distortion pedal for metal, you might want to opt for pedals that offer switching between overdrive or distortion patches easily while you’re playing.
Looking for a do-it-all unit?
If you’re searching for a more versatile pedal, you might want to use a high-end stompbox designed with potentiometer controls.
There you the basics to know about a distortion pedal and a couple of differences between an overdrive and distortion that you might want to know.
OUR TOP CHOICE FOR THE BEST DISTORTION PEDALS FOR METAL
For today’s review on the best distortion pedals for metal, our top pick is the Horizon Devices Precision Drive.It offers a host of benefits for aspiring rock artists and has unmatched versatility.
This distortion pedal for metal is designed with easy-to-access controls for convenience during performances and practices.
It also comes with a noise gate that effectively reduces noise and produces tight tones. The product has the performance functions and features we’re searching for in a metal distortion pedal.
Buy it today!