Behringer UM300 Heavy Metal Distortion vs Boss ML-2
The Behringer UM300 Heavy Metal Distortion and the Boss ML-2 are both pedals sharing harsh, bright. The Behringer UM300 Heavy Metal Distortion leans mid-forward and high gain. The Boss ML-2 leans transparent and aggressive. Current prices: $28.90 vs $99.99.
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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.48% — somewhat different
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Genres both listings are associated with.- Metal
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Derived from overlapping tonal signals across both listings.- harsh
- bright
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Citation/mention fame — how often this gear is cited across artist rigs and gear discussion.$28.90via Reverb
$99.99via 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 ML-2 Metal Core is a high-gain distortion pedal built for modern metal, delivering some of the most extreme gain in the Boss lineup. It produces a ferocious, biting, explosive distortion with a cool growl yet keeps single notes clear and defined rather than collapsing into mush. A flexible three-band tone section and massive gain make it suited to nu-metal, grindcore, industrial, hardcore, and other heavy styles needing crushing rhythm tone and heavy lows. It pairs best with amps that have a classic mid-hump voicing such as a Marshall, where it sits tight and aggressive.
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Genres this gear is documented as being used in.- Hard Rock
- Alternative Rock
- Rock
- Nu Metal
- Hardcore
- mid-forward
- high gain
- crunchy
- sustaining
- transparent
- aggressive
- tight