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$22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:50 pm
by BossMann73
Wow, just got an old cheapo Taiwan made Metal Zone for $22 bucks off Reverb. As soon as I fired it up I thought it sounded very similar to my Mantic Vitriol. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the Vitriol and thought it had a very unique sound, but I'm shocked my cheapo MT-2 not only sounds exactly like it, but has additional mids control. I thought I'd do a search to see if anybody else had this observation and I found this quote................

"I'm still quite amused that this pedal that's getting so much love in the "boutique" community (Juan Alderete is a big fan) is functionally no different than the Metal Zone/HM-2 that everybody seems to hate... show's you what a well-tuned hype-machine can do."

Quote link http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/201 ... triol.html

I made a clip of both. See if you can tell which is which.....https://soundcloud.com/soultron-2/zoom0055mp3

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like $199 Mantic Vi

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:52 pm
by D.o.S.
the idea that the MT-2 is "functionally no different than the HM-2" is only sound if you presume "step on box, get distortion" is the functionality.

It's also hard to get disappointed by anything music gear related at that price point, particularly in comparison to something that costs nearly ten times the amount.

And, thirdly, that quote is in regards to the Mantic. Not the MT-2, so we'd need someone to verify that they're the same circuit.

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like $199 Mantic Vi

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:53 pm
by Strange Tales
Oh shit we're on to the "Distortion" event of the Shitpost Olympics.

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like $199 Mantic Vi

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:08 pm
by Chankgeez
Nothing is true; everything is permitted. :idk:

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like $199 Mantic Vi

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:14 pm
by BossMann73
D.o.S. wrote:the idea that the MT-2 is "functionally no different than the HM-2" is only sound if you presume "step on box, get distortion" is the functionality.

It's also hard to get disappointed by anything music gear related at that price point, particularly in comparison to something that costs nearly ten times the amount.

And, thirdly, that quote is in regards to the Mantic. Not the MT-2, so we'd need someone to verify that they're the same circuit.
Just going by my ears. Like I said, I was in total shock that side by side the MT-2 and the Vitriol sound basically exactly alike and the quote I posted in my op confirmed what I had already ascertained. I don't know if the guts are the same in both pedals, although I read the Vitriol is based on a cheap old DOD pedal (FX86), which itself was probably a copy of the MT-2. I say probably there, since I don't know for sure.

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:27 pm
by D.o.S.
So which would you use if they were exactly the same price, and why?

Also, it's been a decade plus since I've been in a room with either, but I don't remember the Death Metal and the Metal Zone sounding similar (beyond sounding "not good", but, again, memory).

You could probably snag one of those DODs/Digitechs and do a shootout with all three. That would be pretty rad.

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:30 pm
by sylnau
The Vitriol is fuller and has lot more lows and it's less metallic to my ears.
But I understand your point.

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:31 pm
by tremolo3
BossMann73 wrote: "I'm still quite amused that this pedal that's getting so much love in the "boutique" community (Juan Alderete is a big fan) is functionally no different than the Metal Zone/HM-2 that everybody seems to hate... show's you what a well-tuned hype-machine can do."

/W/h/a/t/?/

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:33 pm
by GardenoftheDead
Look the MT-2 was my primary distortion sound for 7 years. It's nothing like the mantic or the HM-2

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like $199 Mantic Vi

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:37 pm
by ritz
Chankgeez wrote:Nothing is true; everything is permitted. :idk:
:lol: :yay:

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:57 pm
by frodog
The Metal Zone doesn't have a dry out. Also (having heard both in demos but tried neither) isn't the MT-2 easier to mess up the settings on, like it has a very sensitive/powerful EQ section? Could be a good or bad thing.

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:02 pm
by BossMann73
frodog wrote:The Metal Zone doesn't have a dry out. Also (having heard both in demos but tried neither) isn't the MT-2 easier to mess up the settings on, like it has a very sensitive/powerful EQ section? Could be a good or bad thing.
It's no more or less easy to screw up the settings on than any other pedal IMO. The knobs are not particularly loose or sensitive, and they don't turn themselves. The mids control is great, and the Vitriol lacks that. The Vitriol is a beast for sure and I love it. I just find the MT-2 sitting better in mixes (I play bass).

In addition to sounding almost identical, they both have the same "feel" when playing.

Just trying to save people a little money is all.................

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:06 pm
by ziltoid
MMMMAAAAAAAAANNNNNYYYYYYY

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:11 pm
by nshuman
OMG YOU HAVE to be Manny.



MANNNYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BLEEP BLOOP BLEEP BLOOP


Was your last TB ban permanent?

Re: $22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:13 pm
by FretNoMore
Popcorn time is now.