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Boss Metal Zone Mods?

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4/20/1999 12:44 PM

Boss Metal Zone Mods?

Hello, first post here, hope I don't break any rules right off the bat.

I recently acquired a Boss MT-2 Metalzone pedal. There are some things about it I really like but it does seem to have a harshness that I don't think is really necessary for the quintessential hair farmer metal tone. I read a review in Harmony Central from a fellow who had a MT-2 that was modded by Sustain Punch and he liked it much better. The Sustain Punch web site lists the results of their modification to this pedal as follows:

SustainPunch "BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone" - $50.00
- Thicker Distortion.
- Sweeter sustain and warmer tone.
- Boosted 2nd order harmonics.
- TCE mod, wider tonal range.
- Fixes harsh, brittle sound.
- Adds that "smooth" crunch.

Now, I've done some pedal mods myself, mostly based around R.G.'s fantastic "Technology of the Tube Screamer" document. I know there's no real "magic" to these mods, and I sure as hell don't want to spend $50 plus shipping for a couple of new transistors and a capacitor or two.

The main thing I'm interested in in removing the harshness and giving a thicker, sweeter distortion. The tone controls on this pedal I think are pretty good already, although it could maybe use a hard-wired high end rolloff to get rid of some of the harshness. From reading FAQ's and articles I have a couple of ideas on how to sweeten the pedal, I am looking for input as to whether I'm on the right track or not, and if not what else should I look into. What I have been considering are:

1. A capacitor across the clipping diodes
(Not having the schematic and not having taken the box apart yet I'm not even sure if it uses diodes for this function, but I'm assuming it does...)
2. Possibly putting a resistor in series with one or both of the clipping diodes
3. investigating using other types of diodes (not sure what kind though)

Any other suggestions???

Thanks in advance...

-Legba

4/20/1999 1:14 PM

Check the archives. Doing a search with the keyword "paradiddle" or "doucette" will bring up the source/background info for all of the SustainPunch mods. There's also a thread with the title "asymmetrical clipping..." (something to that effect) which might help as well.

There's a schematic for an MZ-2 on Jack Orman's AMZ site, but I think that's the Digital Metalizer (though it's listed as Metal Zone). Might be worth a look at.

4/20/1999 5:52 PM

The schematic fragment on my web site is the MZ-2 Digital Metalizer and not the Metal Zone. I do have the schematic for the MT-2 but it is too poor quality to scan and post.

There is a pair of back to back diodes after a 2.2k series resistor as the clipping elements. It is a very unusual circuit and when the distortion is bypassed, the clean signal is passing through an FET input buffer, two bipolar buffers and a series FET switch. Talk about lack of true bypass!

One day I'll get enough time to draw this one up.

-Jack

4/21/1999 2:16 AM
chip hys	jack I would shure like to see this one I may have to just aaaack go to a music store and buy one...chip

4/23/1999 6:12 AM
Mike Burgundy	Re: MT2 schem-Jack? I´m pretty curious about that MT2 schem. If your time is too limited, I could also redraw it if you like? Also, is there anyone with a Guv´nor schem?

4/23/1999 6:47 AM
R.G.	Yep... It just takes time to draw these things out.

4/23/1999 10:05 AM
Mike B	I get these crazy ideas about hobbyism every now and then, and though it´s tedious, I really enjoy reverse engineering and schem-drawing at the moment. Now, anyone got anything I can take apart....?

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