Metal Zone: History and Infamy of the MT-2 

Few effects achieve infamy like the Boss Metal Zone: widely regarded as the 'Worst Distortion Pedal Of All Time', yet defended by its fans as a misunderstood innovative powerhouse, there is a lot to the history and cultural impact of the MT-2. So let's take another look at this pedal and see if it deserves all the hate. Buy your own Metal Zone - US - imp.i114863.net/GWrzE EU - www.thomann.de/intl/boss_mt2_metal_zone.htm?offid=1&affid=367 #metalzone #boss #csguitars More from CSGuitars: Gain access to exclusive content at: www.patreon.com/csguitars Buy CSGuitars Merchandise - www.csguitars.co.uk/store Website - www.csguitars.co.uk Contact - colin@csguitars.co.uk Affiliate Links: Thomann - www.thomann.de/gb/index.html?offid=1&affid=367 Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/2mGGg CSGuitars uses: LEWITT Microphones - www.lewitt-audio.com/ Hoffnine Cabinets - www.hoffnine.co.uk/ Hosa Cables - hosatech.com/ Dragon's Heart Guitar Picks - www.dragonsheartguitarpicks.com/ Title graphics and logo by: www.studiosmithdesign.co.uk/ Join the discussion at: Facebook - facebook.com/csguitars Instagram - instagram.com/csguitars/ Twitter -twitter.com/CSG_Scotland Music available at: Amazon: amzn.to/2HUdXgV iTunes: apple.co/2JvpCjp Google Play: bit.ly/2KgSzkl Or stream on Spotify: spoti.fi/2HuYPTP

Not sure you know, but there are dinosaurs on your amplifier. I can probably help you with that...

If boss ever redesign the metalzone here’s a useful feature: make the pedal deliver an electric shock to the user if they try to put the mids below a certain point

If we're honest, everyone here secretly loves it. Gotta get one and track down an HM-2 while I'm at it to add to the collection :)

actually BOSS should do a Colin Signature limited edition ALL THE GAIN Metal Zone with the revised circuts. I would SO buy that.

Cannibal Corpse used this on their first few albums, plugged directly into a clean amplifier, and they sounded sick. I think the metal zone is just an awesome pedal through and through. The dirty ass fizz gives it charm, and i think it sounds cool as fuck and I've been playing for almost 8 years

There was a time when I used a DS-1 to BOOST A MT-2, yes, I was 16 and trying to be as heavy as inhumanly possible

Obviously the metal zone is meant as a reverb that you put after your amp and in front of your cab :^)

it's really impressive how you play and adjust the knobs at the same time

It becomes usable from the beginning if you read the Boss instructions that come with it and you start with the presets instead of thinking you're a freaking genius.

I would buy a metalzone just for the sake of owning one. i would not use it, just keep it there and look at its greatness

I’m a beginner and didn’t know people thought it was bad when I got it. I definitely had trouble getting it to sound good at first but after a while I got it to sound amazing and feel like it has helped me learn to shape my tone alot faster than if I got something else.

Been using the Metal Zone since it exists. No other pedal has managed to throw it off the board. Sometimes there are addictions to it, but, always present. And will be for a while. + people don't realise how verstile it is. Long live the King!

Has anyone seen the video where Brian Wampler modified a shitload of Metal Zones to be completely different effects entirely?

Using the Metal Zone as a preamp to get those tones is a true masterclass case study in getting the absolute best out of a load of shite. It's almost a Jack White level of refusal to use something that's just "good" and convenient in favour of getting gold out of garbage, if you've ever seen It Might Get Loud.

Boss Metal Zone was my very first guitar pedal. I know it gets a lot of hate, but it'll always have a special place in my heart.

I tell you, should Boss EVER revise the Metal Zone and bring out somekind of MT-3 along the lines being argued in that video, the MT-2 will INSTANTLY become a cult classic on the second hand market to rival the HM-2

Why are you scottish?

The Metal Zone is the best pedal ever. This is a fact confirmed by fact scientists.

good God I'd pay this guy to be my guitar tech.

having such a beautiful Explorer should be illegal!

I wonder if the Metal Zone or its infamous predecessor the Heavy Metal were designed to work with amplifiers that did not behave as modern pre-amps in terms of gain. It could explain why bypassing pre-amps today gives better results.

I realized this about 7 years ago with a Wampler Sovereign distortion pedal . I tried it through the effect loop of the Blackstar Ht20 I had at the time, and it sounded MUCH better than through the front. Great video Colin.

Metalzone is still a lot better than most people think.

Your commentary’s are awesome. Always a lot to learn from your videos.

You didn't say it, and I didn't see it in the top comments, so here it is: ALL THE GAIN! NO MIDS! SLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!! \m/

Great vídeo Man! I'm one of those crazy guitarists who always have loved the MT-2 🤘😈

Nice video Colin! Glad you finally got the time to do the pedal as a pre amp. I dont personally own one but I sure am glad to watch you re review it as such. Great stuff as always!

Sweet video and love the sample tracks you used! Man, from Pantera, Disturbed, Arch Enemy to Trivium you've retraced my early metal years while I expected it the least and damn that feels good. Love the way you cover you subject in several parts, you just earned yourself a new sub :) I'd give you a cookie also but to be honest if I had one I'd probably eat it myself :)

This is my favorite pedal. I always go back to it. Anyine that says it sounds bad has not taken the time to tone chase. Highly versatile and legendary, give it a try.

As a bass player (primarily), I've always preferred the clean tones of good older solid state amps like Yamaha's, Peavey's, and Sunn's. I was loaned an MT-2 many years ago to fart around with in concert with my '71 Strat. tilt-neck, and while going through my usual routine of trying every conceivable setting, I discovered how badass this pedal sounded when routed through the effects loop of my old Peavey Century head feeding a pair of Altec 15's in a back-loaded horn enclosure. A truly amazing metal pedal when used in the right configuration. How many other great buys are out there for cheap because the owner was too lazy, (or dumb), to try ALL the available tone options? If you want metal, this is the pedal.

The Mt2 was not that bad if you could dial it in correctly , the worst ever was the digi Tech Deth Metal pedal complete pile of crap. I have enjoyed the last dregs of a warm bottle of buckfast more than the sounds from that pedal. Great vid man excellent channel \m/

As an amateur user of low-end guitar pedals, I'll say this: pedals that demand *perfect* use to sound good may be helpful at the highest end, like for actual recording artists, but mass-market pedals should have a _range_ of decent-sounding tones that aren't too hard to work out. That's why I like chorus pedals so much; they give you several different sounds, the controls are simple, and chorus works well with other effects. Pedals are a pretty expensive indulgence if they can only give you one very specific sound.

People need to stop scooping the mids on this pedal. Jon from Dissection and Ola Englund knew how to use this pedal.

Very mature review. I can’t lie, I bought my my-2 for your exact reason 10 years ago. To push my 15 watt Marshall practice amp. When I upgraded to a the Marshall hdfx half stack, I kept the my-2 close at hand. I just love that obnoxious ‘bite’ this pedal gives you. With my settings I get a solid Rammstein/Bullet for my Valentine sort of tone. And now that I have a TSL 100, it’s still there. And honestly, it will forever be a part of my arsenal.

Well, I own a boss MT-2, my dad bought it in the early '90s to play with his band and he even recorded a couple of demo albums with it. He regularly used it live as well. I have used it for at least 2 an a half years to rehearse with bands, I used it live too and it worked perfectly (no, I didn't scoop the mids aggressively haha!), never a problem with it. It takes time to learn how to use the powerful EQ, it has been a great training for gaining knowledge with tone tweaking. I switched to a Rocktron Piranha tube preamp (it also has parametric mids) a couple of years ago, and that's my main distortion now but I always keep my MT-2 in my guitar case as a backup (or to play at home, or for rehearsals when I don't want to bring the heavy stuff). It takes blood and sweat to learn how to use it, but it can sound great through a decent amp. Funny enough, I never tried it in the fx loop, but I definitely will some time! I also have an HM-2, if you combine the two you get a perfect Swedish Death Metal tone (same setup was used on Slaughter of the Soul). It sure is a personal taste thing as well, but I like it. The way I used it, it has always reminded me of a Mesa Dual Rectifier for some reason. I may add, that the name speaks for itself. While you can get some decent '80s hard rock tones out of it, you're not really getting a bluesy solo break-up distortion, there's not too much versatility. But I don't consider it a problem. It is called Metal Zone, it is aimed for metal, it is supposed to provide crushing metal tones, not really much genre versatility. That's my opinion anyway. Anyway, keep up the great content! Big fan of your channel! Rock on Colin! \m/

I bought that pedal back in 1998 and have loved it ever since. Love it or hate it, in the right hands it's a great piece of gear.

I've been using the Metal Zone MT-2 since 1992/3. It's in my live and studio set up. It's the main pedal in some of the song in our upcoming album. I love it. It gives me the sound I want. Nothing else comes close to it.

Interesting and thoughtful video. Your delivery is really professional. Those guitars are awesome!

Guilty as charged; the MT-2 was my first pedal. I tried every configuration described in this video except for running it through the return on my Orange MD. I tried running through the clean with an EQ, I tried using it as a boost, and never got anywhere. Just as you stated, I eventually upgraded my whole rig; thus negating any reason for using it. I still have it though, so I’ll give it the old college try just for the hell of it. Another awesome video Colin, thanks again for doing what you do! Keep ‘em coming! Cheers from Denver. 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻

Totally bought a used one a few weeks ago after Ola's video...

well, now im never finding a good deal on buying this pedal online

Awesome video like always, Colin! Fun fact: In the early 2000's, when i was playing in my first band, i had an MT-2. Was the first pedal i ever bought and i still have it today. After experimenting with it (yea, into the clean channel ), i started using it just like that, straight into the PowerAmp. Its funny, that a lot of the guitarists of other bands at the rehearsal place liked the sound i got from it, but when they saw that i was using the MetalZone, they gave me nothing but crap for it. Go figure...

I hope to soon become a patron, Colin. I've been watching so long and want to help you out, plus who could resist bonus content from such a sexy scottsman.

Content on this channel is great 👍

back in the olden days i ran my metalzone into a fender bxr 300 solid state bass amp , essentially as a power amp due to the flat nature of the bass eq . thinking about it now , that makes a lot more sense . we mainly had cheaper basic solid state amps back in the day , expensive boutique tube amps were unobtanium . that would be boss target market of younger metal players

had to comment again to say i love the riffs you played in this. even beast and the harlot and stricken!

It’s kinda funny watching this years later. The Waza Craft version is one of my favorite pedals I’ve ever used. I love it on guitar and bass (usually with an LS-2 to mix some clean signal back in), but also for adding extra grit to synthesizers (often again with an LS-2 and also a phase shifter). Thank you for making this video which really got me into the interesting history of this pedal and inspired me to give it a try for myself (albeit in an updated form)! I really want to learn more about the HM-2 and its Waza craft version now too!

Get ready to start seeing those used prices go up.

How the hell has literally NOBODY plugged it into the fx loop for 28 goddamn years and why would Boss never tell us we use the pedal wrong way?

Thru the effects loop is a huge game changer, i play it thru my peavey bandit 75 with a little chorus and reverb. Never found a pedal that even compares

My first pedal🐝💯🔥. I was 12 and that first sound you get was like a time machine back to 2007 haha. So glad I kept her and now know how to use the metalzone properly from y’all on YT

Hah Ola Just demoed the pedal himself, now this! Quick, invest in MT-2 stocks!

This is the ONLY pedal that answers the question before it's even asked; Does it? Yes it very well does.

I found this out by accident, and necessity. I was a young guitarist and had a fender combo amp that I had worn out the inputs. I had to hook all my pedals into the effects return. I always loved my MT-2, but I had hard times and sold it. Just got a used one today and it was nice to have it back. Now I understand why I never thought it sucked. :)

Excellent video. Sounded really cool. I'll have to see if I can find a cheap secondhand one.

Gotta love that accent at 8:46 I went back and watched that more time than I'd like to admit. :D

There is a pedal call Metal Core, it's also by Boss, you should also test it!

I bought the Metal Zone because of the eq. More control over the tone just made sense to me. I took your advice from a while ago and put the Diezel mod in it.

I loved this pedal since I was a teenager as it gave me massive amount of boost back in the old days! It's got a lot of scope for metal depending on how you use it.

Mt2: not the worst pedal. Colin: not a mammoth.

Bloody hell, thats a30 year old design...no wonder its iconic. But luckly the bew Colins Sexy Guitars Tshirts do not need to be 30 y.o. to be iconic because the are iconic right out of the box.

been using the metal zone behind the dirty channel on my peavey studio pro 112 for jamming at home since 06. had no idea it was infamous til i got back into the scene just a few years ago. this thing is my baby!

With some Amos having a switchable effects loop, this gives some Amps a third channel, as with a Fender Supersonic, through in a TC booster or gain pedal like the MZ, and you have even more variety. Nice revisiting.👍👍👍

Glad I got mine super cheap during the 'Hated' years. Haha. I love mine.

How are your teeth holding up after being gritted so much as you spoke there? Excellent stuff as always.

For ME and only me, the BOSS Metal Zone has been in my chain since it first came out. I run mine straight into a BOSS 7 band EQ and the rest of my effects from there. It has become my own signature sound and there's been a handful of beginners who have copied my sound or at least got close to it after asking me how I get that sound. They ran off and.bought their own Metal Zone and 7 band EQ and copied my settings. One guy bought the same amp I use and even the same bridge pickup I use (Seymour Duncan TB 6). Works for them too. I love the Metal Zone. I bought an MXR Fullbore Metal Distortion and it couldn't hold a candle to my 30 year old Metal Zone.

I got myself a clone from Beta Aivin (China) and put it in poweramp of my Yerasov Classic 45(some fenderish stuff). Nice Idea indeed to use it like a preamp. Results are more than usable. Thank you Colin(and Ola^^)

Honestly, I've heard (and ridiculed) the preamp argument over the years more than once. Turns out the joke is on us, after all.

Now, let's try the mxr fullbore metal in the fx loop🤔

Awesome video! Thanks for info!

I loved that 'terrible' sound when i was 16 and honestly, i still love the sound of it now, 20 some odd years later. Lol! But OH MY GOD! It sounds amazing as a Pre-amp!!! Thanks for that :D

Next video: plug Metal zone straight into the mixer.

I use a DS1, SD1, and MT-2 on my board.

The Metal Zone, when set correctly, can do a reasonable "Rockman" impersonation as well. You know, that mid heavy Tom Scholz / "wah pedal left somewhere in the middle of the sweep" type tone. Fun pedal for sure!

It makes a pretty fun dirty boost for the OD channel on a lot of my amps. I still dig it out once in a while for this. You can still hear the MT-2 goodness even through your amp's OD channel.

BOAT! RUDDER! Hahaha... That was fun.

Great review just a heads up just watched a rather failed review by Henning who couldn't get it to work please contact him and advise him how to use this icon of a pedal !!!!!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😎

I'll admit I had no idea you could do that, keep up with the videos and thanks.

5:10 i knew the second you played these 4 chords that it was gonna be the beast and the harlot riff. i learned how to play 16th notes when i was a kid thanks to that riff.

Black Metal Starter Kit

Since a 'few' years everybody say: metal zone is for idiot, poor, metal kids, this pedal is a garbage. Last week Ola made a good video and said: it's not a garbage, just use like a preamp with a valve poweramp and 4x12 cab. Now everybody say: 'it's a good metal preamp pedal, it's evident, I always knew and said that.' That's the nature of mankind... (sorry for my english skills)

I have this pedal... New, in the box... I love it! I take it out and play thru’ it, once and awhile.

I love the way you can do a filter sweep on a MT-2. It’s great for intros

That harp's face looks like he can't believe you're actually saying all this.

Ola...? Is it you?

I already got excited about Metal Zone after TPS had Simon Neil rig rundown video where he used it and made it sound great. Now you and Ola as well. Time to do some shopping.

It was back in 1988 when I first heard the combination of a Peavey Bandit 112 and a Boss MetalZone. I was instantly n love and certain this was the best amp and the best distortion I ve ever heard for thrash and death metal (for the budget at least). I ve never changed my mind.

As a preamp it's... bearable haha

6:30 - Disturbed - Stricken?

Amazing how much a slight twist of the nobs changes the tone completely. Infinite combinations, and thus both infinite greatness and shyte

I’ve actually been stacking it with my Marshall distortion using it like a tube screamer. Gain turned waaaaay down of course and I’ve gotten some cool tone. I will try it as a preamp and see what kind of tones I can get. Thanks for the info. 🤘

fucking Ola Englunddddddd

So basically, the metal zone is a decent distortion/pre-amp pedal. But it became infamous because idiots don't know how to use it.

I get happy/nostalgic when I hear blood and thunder. One if the first songs I learned. Thank you kind Scotsman.

FYI - BOSS' first attempt at a "Metal" pedal after the HM -2 Heavy Metal was actually the MZ - 2 Digital Metalizer released in 1987. A very interesting pedal that's not very well known. It's a must have if "Hair Metal" is a tone you're looking to achieve. Worthy of its own video for sure. Great videos!

Ola did this first... but Colin did it much, Much better

I bought the Metal Zone in 2006 and love it! Though, I too, feel it was a lot over the top plugged into the front of the amp. I never thought about going through the FX loop. Much more enjoyable pedal now that this has been discovered. I used to use it with my Ibanez DS10 Distortion Charger and use the DS10 as an added EQ, they sound great together. The DS10 has 2 inputs one that's a bypass so you can use the pedal's eq without turning the pedal on. It's a cool feature!

Ha! with the look on your face in the thumbnail, I couldn't help reading the title out loud with yarr Ux-sent...best accent in the world btw! cheers from Australia

Actually, every distortion pedal with a mid knob should be used in the loop. I found that a long time ago, when I bought a Blackstar HT-Dual and played with a Harley Benton British Sound of a friend of mine. They sound powerful, clear and feel better to play in the FX return/PWR IN. And also something many people will probably not agree with. I prefer the sound of a distortion pedal in the loop compared to a boosted with overdrive pedal amp. That's just my opinion and I like valves as much as you all do. Last but not least, great video Colin, I'm a big fan of the channel. Cheers from Bulgaria and rock on \m/ (no matter the gear ;) ) hehe