Behringer UM300 Heavy Metal Distortion vs Boss DS 1W Distortion Waza Craft
The Behringer UM300 Heavy Metal Distortion and the Boss DS 1W Distortion Waza Craft are both pedals sharing high gain, mid-forward, harsh. The Behringer UM300 Heavy Metal Distortion leans aggressive and bright. The Boss DS 1W Distortion Waza Craft leans full and smooth. Current prices: $28.90 vs $136.51.
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Blended 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.43% — somewhat different
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Genres both listings are associated with.- Alternative Rock
- Rock
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Derived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.- high gain
- mid-forward
- harsh
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Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$28.90via Reverb
$136.51via Reverb
The Behringer UM300 is a high-gain distortion pedal based on the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone circuit, one of the most widely used high-gain guitar pedals in rock and metal history. The MT-2 topology uses a parametric-style dual-band EQ section that provides extreme tonal shaping, from aggressive mid scoop to pronounced mid presence. The Ultra Metal voicing reaches into extreme metal distortion territory with long, compressed sustain. Suited for metal rhythm guitar, hard rock, and heavy alternative styles. The UM300 reproduces the MT-2 circuit character at reduced cost, sharing the high-gain versatility that made the Metal Zone a studio staple across multiple decades.
The Boss DS-1W Waza Craft is the premium version of the legendary Boss DS-1 distortion, featuring hand-selected components and a Custom mode that adds 6dB of output, tightens the low end, and focuses the midrange for a more aggressive and defined sound. Standard mode retains the classic DS-1 sharp attack and smooth, saturated sustain. Custom mode eliminates the fizz that some players find limiting in the standard DS-1 at high gain settings. Made in Japan as part of the Waza Craft premium component series.
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Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- Hard Rock
- Metal
- Classic Rock
- Grunge
- aggressive
- bright
- full
- smooth