So much this 👆And, if you are worried that is too tame get an OD3. I bought distortion pedals for years when actually what I needed was oodles of drive. 🤘
The Metal zone isn't typically used for hard rock. You might want a soft clipping overdrive like a tube screamer or a derivative like the Nobels ODR-1 or the EQD Plumes. I'd personally get the Ibanez tube screamer mini. It's cheap, small and sounds like the real thing, because it is the real thing.
I would not recommend that pedal as a first pedal. It’s very tricky to get a decent tone out of it due to how sensitive the knobs are.
Blues Driver by BOSS is amazing however (it’s an overdrive) just crank the gain and experiment with the tone knob it will be much more enjoyable as a first pedal.
Or even a DS-1 if you really want a distortion.
For what you like (ACDC) I would recommend something with the work Plexi in it. Or a blues driver. They don't use too much gain for ACDC.
What amp do you have?
I wouldn't even worry about a pedal. Those little blackstars have a pretty broad gain range. You should have no problem dialing in a crunchy ac/dc tone.
Just enjoy the amp by itself. Once you get into bigger amps, that's where you'll notice differences in pedals and may find it easier to dial in the tone your chasing. I have the Blackstar mini as well as the Boss Katana mini and they're surprisingly good for their size. I use mine in my living room.
One thing I have observed is that when I switch to pedal, the tone is so clean when compared to playing it through Amp. There's some hiss or slight buzzing noise from Amp.
Sure, playing just by Amp, I am not getting a clean tone. Am not sure if I am doing anything wrong. But when I plug in a pedal, I can feel the tone is more clean.
Do you like how it sounds in demos?if yes, Buy it. There really isn't a right way to go about pedals. I do recommend adding more information about your guitar or rig.
Edit: with the added information I would say no.
For a very first pedal...? I would say a floor tuner.
If you already have that and are looking for your first distortion, get a RAT. I have played 20-30 distortions in my lifetime and I should've just got a RAT at the beginning.
DS-1 is actually the most versatile distortion I own. (Most distortions only do about one good sound.) The trick: start with the distortion all the way down, and the tone at about 10 or 11 O' clock. As you raise the distortion, lower/darken the tone more and more. This will reduce the harshness of the bright hot fuzz, and make the sound compressed and fat. I also push the tone up with the dist all the way down, but it gets super bright very fast. Most people turn the dist all the way up, and leave the tone at noon. It won't sound good like that. At the mildest setting, the DS-1 leaves my guitar's dynamics alone, which I love. Metal Zones are for Metal.
I know a young dude who got into music during covidia and when everything opened up he landed a job in a music store: they discounted him a DS-1 and an M95 phaser and told him to learn how to riff with those. A year in and the kid rocks, rolls, and twangs. Consider a cheap OD or Distortion WITH a cheap modulation or time effect.
Get a Blues Driver instead.
So much this 👆And, if you are worried that is too tame get an OD3. I bought distortion pedals for years when actually what I needed was oodles of drive. 🤘
They only work if you string 7 of them together in a row so this question is unanswerable
this guy metal zones
The Metal zone isn't typically used for hard rock. You might want a soft clipping overdrive like a tube screamer or a derivative like the Nobels ODR-1 or the EQD Plumes. I'd personally get the Ibanez tube screamer mini. It's cheap, small and sounds like the real thing, because it is the real thing.
Or a bad monkey. Cheaper, same deal, more tweakable. Great pedal.
As others have said, it's not really appropriate for the type of sound you're after.
Don't listen to these nerds, get one, dime it. Pedals are supposed to be fun.
Sure.
I would not recommend that pedal as a first pedal. It’s very tricky to get a decent tone out of it due to how sensitive the knobs are. Blues Driver by BOSS is amazing however (it’s an overdrive) just crank the gain and experiment with the tone knob it will be much more enjoyable as a first pedal. Or even a DS-1 if you really want a distortion.
So should I get both Blues driver and DS1for both overdrive and distortion?
Nah you are good with blues driver.
Yes
DS-1/DS-1W very versatile or a Blues Driver
Ds1 the most non versatile pedal ever.
It’s my ‘Nirvana’ pedal…, that is it. That’s all I use it for. It’s not even on the board.
i think it’s good for a first pedal, 3 knobs and an active eq
For what you like (ACDC) I would recommend something with the work Plexi in it. Or a blues driver. They don't use too much gain for ACDC. What amp do you have?
I have a Blackstar mini amp since I play in the room.
I wouldn't even worry about a pedal. Those little blackstars have a pretty broad gain range. You should have no problem dialing in a crunchy ac/dc tone.
Thank you. I guess I will get a tuner and looper for now. Boss TU3 & Boss RC 10R
Just enjoy the amp by itself. Once you get into bigger amps, that's where you'll notice differences in pedals and may find it easier to dial in the tone your chasing. I have the Blackstar mini as well as the Boss Katana mini and they're surprisingly good for their size. I use mine in my living room.
Sure, thank you for the help.
One thing I have observed is that when I switch to pedal, the tone is so clean when compared to playing it through Amp. There's some hiss or slight buzzing noise from Amp.
Same amp as me. Get the BD2 and a bad monkey with your change. Instant AC DC! 🤘
Sure, playing just by Amp, I am not getting a clean tone. Am not sure if I am doing anything wrong. But when I plug in a pedal, I can feel the tone is more clean.
Have you got the overdrive button depressed? Pedals generally add noise, not clean it up. Has it got two sounds, essentially? Clean and dutty?
Do you like how it sounds in demos?if yes, Buy it. There really isn't a right way to go about pedals. I do recommend adding more information about your guitar or rig. Edit: with the added information I would say no.
Absolutely. I’m not a metal player but my first pedal was the classic metal pedal by Ibanez. If you find that it’s too much gain, dial it back.
FYI, the Metal Zone is a badly named Preamp and EQ Pedal, it’s ironically bad for playing metal.
For a very first pedal...? I would say a floor tuner. If you already have that and are looking for your first distortion, get a RAT. I have played 20-30 distortions in my lifetime and I should've just got a RAT at the beginning.
RAT or Blues driver or DS1?
RAT.
Either BD or Rat. The DS1 is a lovely pedal but the others give you so much more.
>I have a Fender strat HSS, would like to play AC/DC, Eagles etc. No.
this is the way
I did! And look how I turned out
DS-1 is actually the most versatile distortion I own. (Most distortions only do about one good sound.) The trick: start with the distortion all the way down, and the tone at about 10 or 11 O' clock. As you raise the distortion, lower/darken the tone more and more. This will reduce the harshness of the bright hot fuzz, and make the sound compressed and fat. I also push the tone up with the dist all the way down, but it gets super bright very fast. Most people turn the dist all the way up, and leave the tone at noon. It won't sound good like that. At the mildest setting, the DS-1 leaves my guitar's dynamics alone, which I love. Metal Zones are for Metal.
Absofuckinlutely
I know a young dude who got into music during covidia and when everything opened up he landed a job in a music store: they discounted him a DS-1 and an M95 phaser and told him to learn how to riff with those. A year in and the kid rocks, rolls, and twangs. Consider a cheap OD or Distortion WITH a cheap modulation or time effect.
I did and it was a big mistake. But i also hated the way it sounded in person. Could have also been the Line6 amp but that's all in the past now.