$22 dollar Metal Zone sounds exactly like Mantic Vitriol

BossMann73 · Post by **BossMann73** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:50 pm

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

D.o.S. · Post by **D.o.S.** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:52 pm

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.

Strange Tales · Post by **Strange Tales** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 3:53 pm

Oh shit we're on to the "Distortion" event of the Shitpost Olympics.

Chankgeez · Post by **Chankgeez** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:08 pm

Nothing is true; everything is permitted.

BossMann73 · Post by **BossMann73** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:14 pm

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.

D.o.S. · Post by **D.o.S.** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:27 pm

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.

sylnau · Post by **sylnau** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:30 pm

The Vitriol is fuller and has lot more lows and it's less metallic to my ears.
But I understand your point.

tremolo3 · Post by **tremolo3** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:31 pm

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/?/

GardenoftheDead · Post by **GardenoftheDead** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:33 pm

Look the MT-2 was my primary distortion sound for 7 years. It's nothing like the mantic or the HM-2

ritz · Post by **ritz** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:37 pm

Chankgeez wrote:Nothing is true; everything is permitted.

frodog · Post by **frodog** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:57 pm

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.

BossMann73 · Post by **BossMann73** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:02 pm

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.................

ziltoid · Post by **ziltoid** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:06 pm

MMMMAAAAAAAAANNNNNYYYYYYY

nshuman · Post by **nshuman** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:11 pm

OMG YOU HAVE to be Manny.

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

Was your last TB ban permanent?

FretNoMore · Post by **FretNoMore** » Mon Mar 13, 2017 5:13 pm

Popcorn time is now.

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