Behringer HM300 vs Free The Tone IF-1D

The Behringer HM300 and the Free The Tone IF-1D are both pedals sharing mid-forward, full. The Behringer HM300 leans high gain and saturated. The Free The Tone IF-1D leans fuzzy and crunchy. Current prices: $29.83 vs $159.

Similarity
citedBlended from circuit-archetype lineage, dynamic feel, tone-signal overlap and tone-vector distance — the tone vector itself is derived from editorial description text, not a measured acoustic signal, so this reflects how similarly the catalog copy describes the two, not a lab measurement. Shown only within a gear class, and only where there's enough evidence to be meaningful.

51% — moderately similar

Shared genres
citedGenres both listings are associated with.
  • Alternative Rock
  • Metal
  • Hard Rock
Shared tone character
citedDerived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.
  • mid-forward
  • full
Citation fame
citedCitation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.
0%
0%
Price

$29.83via Reverb

$159via Reverb

Description

The Behringer HM300 is a heavy metal distortion pedal modeled after the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal circuit, famous for producing the extreme buzzsaw-like high-gain distortion associated with Swedish death metal. The HM-2 topology uses four distinct band controls covering high, low, and two mid frequencies, allowing extreme scooped mid voicings. Full saturation with all controls maximized produces the chainsaw wall of sound most closely associated with Swedish bands like Entombed and Dismember. At lower gain settings the HM300 provides 1980s-era metal rhythm tones. A budget alternative to the original Boss unit and boutique HM-2 clones.

The Free The Tone IF-1D Iron Forest is a high-gain distortion pedal from Tokyo builder Free The Tone, voiced toward modern hard rock and metal rather than vintage grit. Four controls -- Level, Gain, Bass and Treble -- set a tight, focused distortion with a bright top end and a sharp, percussive pick attack that keeps fast riffing articulate instead of smearing. Gain runs from thick rhythm crunch up to saturated, sustaining lead tones, and the two-band EQ lets players scoop or thicken the midrange to sit against a dense mix. The IF-1D uses Free The Tone's HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) buffer circuit, which preserves high-frequency detail and low-end tightness through long cable runs and complex pedalboards. It suits players wanting an aggressive, articulate distortion with plenty of sustain and a defined, cutting character.

Genres
citedGenres this gear is documented as being used in.
  • Death Metal
  • Blues
  • Rock
Tonal lean
  • high gain
  • saturated
  • aggressive
  • fuzzy
  • crunchy
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