Pedal Face-Off: Boss Metal Zone MT-2 vs Boss Metalcore ML-2 comparison

[@BoltBrethren]

They both sound awesome in their own way. The core is super beefy, the zone is very raw.

[@raphaelisaac7479]

But we dont want raw beef :) we want it midyum reyrrr

[@wasabi333]

@@raphaelisaac7479 LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[@DoomKid]

So helpful! I was trying to decide which one to get, and this was just what I needed. (though, admittedly, I just ended up getting both..)

[@AhoooY1]

Whoa DoomKid, hey there, didn't expect you here at all

[@drownthepoor]

The Metalcore has always been sold out at any music shop I've ever been to. I can remember seeing it once as a display at Guitar Center and thinking I'd get it when new units came in. I went back, and they had sold the display. Every time I ask about it they say it's out of stock, and same at other stores. Metal-Zone is always there in stock lol.

[@enoffz8021]

At 4:12 the Metal Core distortion knob doesn't seem to make any difference.

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

I always liked the Metal Core's fatter rounder and smoother sound. Oddly enough I did get the Metal Zone since a used one in mint condition showed at at a third of the price new. It fits with parts of my tunes where I need something tighter than my DSM Drive Maker with speaker shaking lows to put behind the vocal parts. But I digress. I think having both is very justified. Thanx for another great video. I will be here for them all :-)

[@iReapuh]

Lol the same thing happened to me, I only had metalzone pedals brand new and I eventually found a brand new metalcore pedal for about a third of the price brand new without the box😂

[@brendanbecker1658]

I had a metal zone but always struggled with the weird mid hump in the 1st gain stage. It just gave it this weird nasal clucking pick noise on the chugs. I wanted that huge crushing chunk sound and after researching alternatives (particularly andertons top 5 metal pedal shootout) I got myself a boss metal core and love it. A lot of metal and distortion pedals have that weird pick cluck but the metal core pulls it off very well and it becomes a more percussive higher pitched crunch on top of the beastly chug. I'm super happy with the sound both high gain and low gain and I reckon it's the closest I can get to that huge crushing metal tone short of buying and living with a pricey metal amp.

[@RadicalizedRadical]

How do you reduce the mids if there isn’t such an option on metalcore

[@brendanbecker1658]

@@RadicalizedRadical The Metal Core already has pretty scooped mids so you don't really need to reduce them. If you want less mids, just turn up the low and high controls. If you want more mids turn down the lows and highs. Use level to compensate. I like a fairly neutral balance between low, mid and high so i generally run mine with level, low and high around 2-3/10 with the gain up around 8/10.

[@shrauk245]

What song did you play at 5:40?

[@visualdarkness]

So the ML-2 seems to be a tweaked MT-2 without the mid control, a tad more bass at 12'clock, slightly more presence and a 1k lower treble peak. I bet that the lower treble peak is what makes the ML-2 do well in blind tests as it is a less harsh frequency.

[@DomeNightbearer]

Seems logical, I miss however the mid control... It makes the MT2 much more tweakable

[@visualdarkness]

@@DomeNightbearer it does! I also bet that many of the mods to MT-2 brings that treble peak down to the ML-2 frequency or even lower.

[@mtdawgy]

Stacked should be called the "Extra-Crunchy Metal Pedal" - I like the Mids control on the Zone, but the Core has that Fuller, less tinny sound.

[@isiahhuang]

An excellent comparison video, especially with the waveform display, which helps us better understand the changes in tone after adjusting the bass and treble knobs. Could you please make a review video of the BOSS ST-2?

[@thefuneralparade]

Combining them was my favorite sound an pedal...lol.great job. I'm waiting on my Fangs pedal to arrive soon so I can stack it with my EYEMASTER.thank you man for the inspiration.

[@anthonydamasco]

The metalcore sounds so much better. IMO.

[@73prd]

Not with the metalzone in fx ...nothing beats that

[@RetningNord]

No.

[@ВасяДядя-т3л]

Нет

[@Kaftn]

The metal core has simplicity and sounds amazing, the metal zone has versatility so youll have to find a sound that would go well in a mix like the metal core has, the metal core has a very specific sound and is very good at that sound.

[@georgejetson1923]

There's enough metal in those 2 pedals to erect a skyscraper...😂

[@acutemadness]

the metalcore allows you to use a low-output active guitar without a battery I tried it

[@CanadianRockerGuy]

I have the metal core pedal which is very good, chunky, beefy and scoopy but I like to use the metal zone effect in my Katana 100 with the EQ in a smooth V pattern and it sounds totally killer, no bees in a bottle with all the right settings, I love it!

[@ringevalley]

Hey man! Thanks for your comment here, I’m a user of the katana 100 myself, we were lucky enough to get one passed down to us from a good friend, and I’m still in that phase of trying to figure out ways to maximize what I can get out of this amp. Picking up a metal core today, so really appreciate the thoughts from a fellow katana user!

[@usethevideoluke]

Can u explain the process of measuring

[@БомжКаледун]

Если я верно понял, то в теории, из-за большего количества крутилок metalzone можно найти звук metalcore, но из metalcore сделать metalzone не выйдет

[@KurtCobain2021]

Which pedal has more sustain?

[@diegocastro5114]

Metal Cone or Metal Zore?

[@jerrodschumacher9844]

I just got the metal zone 30th anniversary addition i love it

[@michaelwolff9207]

Have you done a Metal Core versus Metal Zone Waza comparison yet?

[@jaramillonator]

What riff are you playing? Sounds awesome.

[@DomeNightbearer]

most probably some improvised stuff 😅

[@blacktoothfox677]

my 2 favourite pedals - just to annoy my guitar-buddies!!! Haha but in all truth I ADORE them both. Am actually using them as we speak, so I looked for a video about them and here we are. Seems like I must have subbed to your channel before now - which is good, coz its WAY better than mine!!! All the very best for '22 man.

[@sinisterminister9920]

Metal zone in my RG100 effects loop, gives me a total of 5 channels 😂 it’s nice in a way. I usually start off with Amp Gain only for a few and towards the end of the sesh, I’ll engage the mt-2 for a change in distortion tone, people try and dial in the MT-2 like a normal pedal but don’t understand that the EQs on the metal zone are EXTREMELY sensitive and require tweaking on a micro level (at least for me) how you had the Eq knobs at noon was about like I do... sounds great for my setup, although the MT-2 doesn’t hold a flame to the HM-2 I regrettably have never tried 😔 anyways I just subscribed finally bro, been watching for years, love the channel🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@daultonwurst77]

Which one of those pedals would you suggest for melodic death metal?

[@DomeNightbearer]

Metal Zone, way more versatile

[@DomeNightbearer]

Metal Zone, way more versatile

[@johnpise1723]

I have both the metal zone is good just do small adjustments and you will fine. All depends on guitars you are playing also

[@bobby_w6]

Great comparison. Helped me a lot! I vote Metalcore… it’s just a tad more nasty.

[@9cyrus540]

Metal Zone ML-2 is the one I like. More Chunk I think.

[@michaelkinsey570]

The core sounds like an amp..the zone sounds like a pedal..if this helps..good vid🤘

[@junkheadyamiken]

Never thought the amp and cabinet make such a difference

[@PinkertonJM]

I bought them all when they come out for the first time. The HM-2 and HM-3 i bought used the MT-2 i bought back then in 1991 for the first time and bought a second one few years later. The ML-2 when it also came out, but that one isn't useable with an equalizer (it makes a terrible ghastly beep). The ST-2 and MD-2 are all great metal pedals. It depends for wich type of metal and for what you use them for. It took me 30 years to learn that the HM-2 is THE pedal with the long sought off sound, because i saw Entombed back in 1992 using a Metal Zone and not a Heavy Metal pedal!

[@bruiserbrawler8054]

I actually did like them both together. I normally keep mine in separate rooms. 😉 As for which one I like better... Oh, dear. I think it depends on what mood I'm in but I do tend to pull out the Metal Zone more.

[@zoomzoom3950]

I've had a MetalCore for a few years; this comparison shows I may want to add a MetalZone. Plan to get a Source Audio UltraWave first though

[@eze8024]

Which of these would you choose for Metallica thrash metal?

[@dragonemortale9056]

Hi, I like your videos, I suggest you to try dod boneshaker and his 3 band parametric eq over a 80hz cut controll

[@DomeNightbearer]

It's on the list, haven't found a good deal yet!

[@dragonemortale9056]

@@DomeNightbearer is not the greatest pedal in the world but it could be the perfect overdrive distortion to combine with

[@ricardadn]

Metal Core, SEMPRE!!!!

[@hjl4754]

Nice Video, I wanted to ask, what does the ts9 sound like in front of the hm2?

[@DomeNightbearer]

I think I have uploaded a video, where I boosted an HM-2... however I don't own a TS9, just an OD808 or a Boss Super Overdrive (and a couple more, but those are the closest to the TS9)

[@renaburvoa3176]

Metal core or metal zone?

[@ryoshamo]

Luckily I kept hold of my ML-2 and have been using it as a boost into a Sansamp BDDI. Provides some interesting results! However looking at the freq response it seems the MT-2 would be a better fit with it's mid boost as the SBDDI generally scoops out a lot of mids. Has anyone else experimented with these pedals through bass setups?

[@Roman-me5bi]

sorta similar but hm2s and hm2 clones work really well as bass fuzzes, will need to boost bass after that in the signal

[@Ancient_Iron]

Have them both, never tried to stack them though...🤔 Gereat idea, thanks!😁👌

[@ernestoo8313]

I really like both pedals. Unfortunately I don’t own the ML-2 yet. By the way, the MT-2 combined (used as substitute for the „bottomshaker“) with the Grindstein sounds pretty cool!

[@Ledmetacdc]

I might be an idiot here, but the sound of both together is unironically super cool. Honestly sounds better together than using as a boost in front of a dirty amp. Pretty interesting.

[@DomeNightbearer]

You are right, that's why I included it :D

[@thomaslthomas1506]

The HM-2 is a special sauce on drum machines. Just sayin…..

[@HM2CULT]

I'm sticking with the Metal Zone on this one.

[@DomeNightbearer]

Yeah, it's more versatile!

[@voiceofexperience]

The MZ sounds like a parody of the MC. No wonder so many treat it as "joke" pedal. Great comparison review btw.

[@webb-hill1610]

Honestly I like them combined with the metal zone before metal core 🤘🏻 add a Ten band eq and that would be such a nasty tone 🔥🔥🔥

[@menschlicheswesen84]

Do you think the UM300 is close enough to the MT2 to do the same work as good as the original...? JHS say's is dead on the same circuit...

[@Mariupol_rock]

Пользуюсь ML-2 с 2007года. Лучшая метал педаль.

[@davespin9034]

The versatility of the MZ gives it the win for me. The EQ made the MZ match the MC everywhere I could hear. The " Core" to me means simpler to configure but it has limits. Great pedal but for the same price I'd buy the MZ. In a different comparison I think it sounded as good or better than the EVH 5150.

[@olafbandt608]

Metal Zone i have Had IT for so Long an ITS a real Monster 👍

[@niceride777]

Is it possible that the distortion knob on your ML-2 isn't working properly? On other videos, it made a huge difference...

[@DomeNightbearer]

Possible, but unlikely.

[@bradlord4440]

Yea they both great sounding pedals.i think u basically just better off with the metal zone as you've got more features to set your tone.if you want a more brutal tone there are better distortion pedals out there.if want value for money try the MXR fullbore pedal.

[@Muppio]

*Bonus video* Thanks! I hate it! :-D Fantastic comparison.

[@73prd]

The core sounds great but way to muddy in a live mix...metalzone in fx loop= nothing beats it, I own both and play live

[@nimlhug138]

3k subs? congrats man

[@DomeNightbearer]

Thanks, bro! Growing slowly, but steady 😅

[@Brad143]

Metal Core 🤟

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

If I’m double tracking my guitars, this pedal definitely makes the sound huge and grinding which is what I like personally.

[@MichaelDespairs]

Which pedal

[@punk_rock_music_teacher]

Very thorough video! I think my Metal Core compliments my JH EMG humbucker. I feel like passives are better for the Metal Zone.

[@DomeNightbearer]

huh, interesting. Might be!

[@punk_rock_music_teacher]

@@DomeNightbearerwhen I hear the metal zone it sounds like it would pair well with a passive dimebucker

[@punk_rock_music_teacher]

@@DomeNightbearer and I’ve owned both 😂

[@Javier-qk7ms]

If the Metal Core had the same mids controls of the MZ then it would be more popular

[@lexingtRick]

8:28 is was getting somewhere. 9h41 is was too getting a super booming eF-fect.

[@mishapashchenko6518]

They honestly both sound pretty good, but it’s hard to choose, have to go with both.

[@wriglarzzz]

I wish metal core had a mid or shape knob

[@DomeNightbearer]

exactly! It would be so much more useful

[@JRose342]

The metal core sounds like a dual rec

[@junkheadyamiken]

Boss da-2 or ds-1x would be interesting. They are multiband distortions and very weird. Without going into detail i wonder how REACTIVE they are. I use my boss ds1 after chorus and with the chorus volume all the way up(just like a boost) it pushes the ds1 into fuzz. Imo digital has huge potential for sounds analog can never achive. I sadly dont have the money or any chance experimenting. And Frequency analysis would be extra interesting as they behave differently on chors types and pitch plus they claim the dist knob behaves variable

[@villeschrdinger9514]

Hmmm, I think a Comparison with the HM3 cool be a good one ... The ML2 look like an agressive version of HM3.

[@DomeNightbearer]

Interesting!

[@adamkahn8645]

always hated the Metal Zone, but i definitely wanna try out that Metalcore pedal. seems to be a really massive pedal :D

[@CaptStraightEdge]

They're the same exact pedals the metal zone just has much more control, the ML2 is like an MT2 for dummies

[@erichfrederick9229]

I've played both, and the metal zone sounded way better to me.

[@patrickb.b.1015]

Oooooohhh,dont underate the good old MT-2. Put the MT-2 directly into the return of the effectloop of your amplifier and the result can sounding very very good.There are many extreme metalbands that did so.I playing an ENGL-Amp and all ENGL amps are brute monsters of high gain.But I allways wanted also a few sounds like in the 90‘es and got a many of that tones with the MT-2 running directly into the return of the effectloop.🤘🙂

[@yunamadsimackomen881]

The Core actually sounded more civil than the Zone

[@andyje]

The Metal Core was "better" HM-2 lite is more accurate.

[@4142Wilb]

The Metal Core pedal has its place just like any other pedal in my inventory. What I hear with mine is that it works exceedingly well with passive pickups as opposed to active pickups where it is shrill. And yes enhancing it with an od pedal goes further in customization of tone.

[@rogelioybarra4068]

Metal zone

[@whyemondomocmat504]

Metal zone is for Megadeth and Metal core is for metalica

[@Emacrias]

in my opinion the B.Metal zone is a pedal that serves to call mosquitoes .. low and high frequencies with a fuzz style effect .. a very dirty distortion .. an ideal distortion for black metal .. a genre that does not require who knows how much quality. while the B.Metal core is perfect in all branches of metal .. onepedal that emphasizes all the frequencies if you do not exaggerate with the level of the high frequencies .. a very full-bodied and much cleaner distortion than the B.Metal zone.. for me there are no comparisons .. those who understand music must prefer the B.Metal core..

[@daredevil2724]

Boss metal core>>

[@arieslorino4400]

More talks tl

[@engrguererro1757]

Metalzone.

[@georgetheodor112]

Looks like ml-2 is Just a single case of mt-2. Luckily I chose metal zone back then. Stacking idea was cool) Tried to stack mine mt-2 with sd-1. Got smooth sound.

[@RetningNord]

Not bad, you made them both suck.

[@grendelicious]

Man, you could have a killer amp free rig with a di box and both distortions. I might do that as a backup rig lol Also awaiting the inevitable stack with the HM2 or LHW

[@SamuraiBud]

the mt2 is sharp the metal core is fat

[@bishfish1514]

both are good but the metalcore has more low so id probably go with metalcore but really depends on the style I'm playing

[@ThrashingBasskill]

Well, who would have guessed it... metal core also sucks as a pedal! :D

[@tcshea]

Thumbs down because too cowardly to give an opinion