Discover new sounds on your old Metal Zone!

Dive into a new sonic journey with the legendary Boss Metal Zone MT-2

The Boss Metal Zone MT-2 is one of the most iconic distortion pedals ever created. Released in 1991, it has stood the test of time and remains an essential reference to this day. Today, more than 30 years after my first experiences with this pedal, I decided to revisit it to see if I could get new sounds out of it that are suitable for 2024.

The Metal Zone: A Controversial Classic

The Metal Zone is often associated with a 90s metal sound: saturated, compressed, and crackling. What makes it great—powerful and flexible EQ—is also what can make it difficult to tame. Its semi-parametric EQ lets you choose and adjust a midrange with an impressive +/-20 dB of range. However, this can quickly lead to overblown tones if you’re not careful.

Like all Boss pedals, the Metal Zone is robust and durable. Mine, although worn and covered in scratches, still works perfectly. But the question remains: can we use it differently in 2024, with more experience and perspective, to obtain a unique and modern sound?


Tests: Classical and modern approaches

1. Classic use: Metal Zone in a clean amp

To begin, I reproduced the typical "metal" setting found in the pedal's original manual:

  • Low : almost at the maximum.
  • Highs : also very high.
  • Mid frequencies : sharply cut.
  • Distortion : at most.
  • Mid frequency range : centered around mid-low frequencies.

Connected to a Peavey Envoy transistor amp in clean mode, the resulting sound was sizzling and compressed, typical of 90s metal. However, this sound lacks depth and limits dynamics. It's a classic, but it doesn't really match what I'm looking for today.

2. Combined use: Metal Zone with amp overdrive

Next, I used the Metal Zone as a boost for the amp's overdrive channel. For this, I took a very different approach:

  • Distortion : reduced to a minimum.
  • Level : increased to boost the signal.
  • EQ : all settings in the center.

The result was surprising. By combining the Metal Zone with the amp's natural overdrive, I got a clearer sound, more defined in the low frequencies, and less compressed. This allows to add precision to the sound while maintaining a certain dynamic.

3. Experimentation: A non-metal approach

Finally, I tested a more subtle setting to explore sounds less associated with metal:

  • Clean channel of the amp in vintage mode.
  • Metal Zone Distortion : to zero.
  • Level : used as a volume boost.

This setup works as an additional preamp, allowing you to push the input stage of the amp. The result is a dynamic sound, with a light and controlled saturation. Ideal for more nuanced blues or rock passages.


Conclusion: A pedal still relevant in 2024?

The Boss Metal Zone MT-2 isn’t just a sizzling metal pedal. With thoughtful use, it can become a powerful and versatile tool. Whether used as a boost or using its EQ to correct amp shortcomings, it can find its place in styles far beyond ’90s metal.

So, do you prefer the Metal Zone in a clean amp or combined with the overdrive of an amp? Tell me in the comments and don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more content!

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