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Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer

^# 62

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$133.78 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (10)

5 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Boss MZ-2

6 community setups

12 wishlisted

50 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (23)

$133.78 16 available Used

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Average Price: $134

Standard/Professional

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing the Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer, a concoction of vast sonic possibilities. This unique pedal fuses the warmth of an analog distortion circuit with the precision of digital chorus and delay circuits. It's your one-way ticket to uncharted soundscapes, whether you're crafting experimental, industrial, or grime tones. The MZ-2 is designed with a straightforward distortion, two chorus modes, and three delay modes, placing a universe of tonal diversity right under your feet.

Key Features:

Analog distortion circuit, offering warm and rich tones
Two chorus modes, for adding depth and movement to your sound
Three delay modes, allowing for a variety of echo effects
Combines analog and digital circuits, providing a wide range of tonal possibilities
Ideal for experimental, industrial, or grime genres
Straightforward operation, making it easy to dial in your desired sound

Product specs

Brand	Boss
Model	MZ-2 Digital Metalizer (Blue Label)
Finish	Black
Year	1987 - 1992
Made In	Japan
Categories	Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What type of distortion does the Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer provide?: The Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer offers a unique combination of digital distortion with chorus and delay effects, creating a rich and textured sound ideal for metal and hard rock genres.
Can the Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer be used with a bass guitar?: Yes, the Boss MZ-2 can be used with a bass guitar, but the resulting tone may vary depending on the specific bass and amp setup. It's best to experiment to find the desired sound.
What power supply is required for the Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer?: The Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer requires a 9V DC power supply, such as the Boss PSA adapter, or it can be powered using a 9V battery.
How does the Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer differ from other Boss distortion pedals?: Unlike typical distortion pedals, the Boss MZ-2 includes digital delay and chorus effects, allowing for more versatile and layered soundscapes, particularly suited for creating atmospheric metal tones.
Is the Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Boss MZ-2 is suitable for live performances, offering robust build quality and versatile sound options that can enhance a live guitar setup with its unique digital effects.

Videos

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Pepe Music

BOSS MZ-2 Digital Metalizer Demo

Pepe Music

BOSS MZ-2 Digital Metalizer

Evan Chandler

Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer...the best Boss pedal you've probably never heard about

TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow

Boss Digital Metalizer MZ-2 - Hair Metal In A Box Pedal - With My Harley Benton Fusion II

Rich Bischoff

BOSS MZ-2 Digital Metalizer Metal/Distortion Pedal (with Outtakes)

intheblues

Hidden Gem: The Vintage Boss MZ-2. Is this the most underrated guitar effects pedal ever?

Wes Likes to Play Guitar

Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer

Wall of Sound

Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer - Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Stompbox Breakdown

Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer

Clifton Wright

So somehow THIS exists... Boss Digital Metalizer MZ-2 Distortion Pedal Review (Pedal Vault)

Dome

Reviews

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PROS

Unique distortion, from rat-meets-Marshall to fat grind
Responsive to picking dynamics, clean to roar
Stereo effects make guitar sound huge
Versatile: distortion, delay, and chorus in one
Mono or Stereo configuration enhances setup flexibility
Analog distortion, digital chorus/doubling features
Allows creative sound layering with doubling and chorus modes
Solid build quality typical of BOSS pedals
Can fill the room with sound, ideal for solo guitarists
Collectible value due to out-of-production status

CONS

Tone and volume knobs can overly cut highs
Effects can suck tone dead in mono
Some find the drive circuit and doubling/chorus subpar
Requires time and experimentation to fully utilize
Onboard analogue drive circuit described as awful by some
Digital effects can sound dated to modern ears
Can be considered unusable outside of niche applications

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer.

Features and functionality

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The Boss MZ-2 combines an analog distortion with four digital effect modes, offering stereo output and mimicking an 80s glam rig in one pedal.
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The pedal allows simultaneous use of echo and modulation effects, with a blend knob for fine-tuning delay and reverb, as well as chorus and detune effects.
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The stereo aspect predominantly enhances chorus and delay effects, with "Mode" settings allowing for slapback and doubling, delivering a wide, double-tracked guitar sound.
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Use cases and applications

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Ideal for achieving a heavy, processed metal sound reminiscent of 80s glam, with the digital effects playing a crucial role in both clean and dirty tones.
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By setting pedal gain to 0 and guitar volume to 1, the MZ-2 functions effectively as an ADT (Automatic Double Tracking) effect, broadening its use beyond typical distortion.
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The pedal is particularly noted for achieving a wide stereo imaging effect, making it ideal for players seeking an expansive 80s-style soundstage.
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User experience

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Some users find the hold-to-bypass feature potentially cumbersome, preferring quick switching between clean/dirty rather than full bypass during performances.
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Some owners appreciate the raw, unprocessed sound when directly connected without amps, noting it provides an authentic representation of the pedal's capabilities.
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Comparisons

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A proposed update suggests features from the XT-2, like dynamic midrange boosts and pre-gain mid-focused boosts, aiming for a tone closer to a 5150 than the MT-2.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 10 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

solusash

1787

over 6 years ago

This one... Is Odd

So the trick with this pedal is, no one really knows how to use it. It's one of those weird pedals that's like "What was Boss really thinking with this one?" The answer? "FAT DISTORTION." The instruction pamphlet has settings for everything from some grungy basic tones, to BALLADS (yes, ballads), to what literally says "The Fattest Distortion."

This is one you've got to play with. I mean, you've really got to play with it. And it's worth your time, if you don't mind noodling. You can get some creamy fat tone out of it, and with the doubling effect and stereo out, one guitarist can fill the room with sound.

Question is, are you willing to put in the work?

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Electronic Folk rock Progressive rock

jimmarchi1

41029

6 years ago about 6 years ago

ever try it on a synth?

solusash

1787

6 years ago about 6 years ago

I don't really use a lot of hardware synths (in fact I don't rightly use any). The only synths I have currently are all software, unless you count the Casio CTK-2000 keyboard. And it's... not great.

That said, I can imagine if you put it on a synth you could get the same or similar sound that Pink Floyd got in Welcome to the Machine.

cwirus88

514

about 9 years ago

Best Boss Dirt Pedal

Boss hidden gem; truly great pedal. Its name might be confusing and discouraging, so let me clear - this is a two-circuit pedal. Analog for distortion, digital for chorus and doubling feature. Starting with distortion: MZ-2 stands quite close to DS-2 since they were released in almost the same time. Heavy, saturated and lots of gain available. Fav settings so far: LEVEL: 3:00 TONE: 11:00 DIST: 2:00.

However the biggest fun starts with MODE Knob. SGL: "single" distortion, so you get ONLY distorted signal. DOUB I: here starts the doubling. In fact this mode does not give much difference, the signal is just a little bit fattier. You need to play 5 minutes in this mode, then switch back to single in order to feel the difference. DOUB II: Call me stupid, but quite close to Black Album tone (put a SD-1 in front MZ-2 to get even more). Fat, heavy, addictive. DOUB III: too much, sounds more like very loud digital slap back delay. Not very useful. CHO I: subtle chorus, CE-2 simulation with rate and depth on 10:00. CHO II: more audible chorus, CE-2 simulation with rate on 10:00, depth at 2:00.

Stereo is awesome and this is what makes MZ-2 shine. Absolutely love MZ-2, worth getting!

Roles:

Guitarist Drummer Composer

Genres:

Rock Blues Metal

mfnlgz

102

over 9 years ago

A decade in a box

A strange one, indeed. BOSS was obviously looking to attract a niche crowd with this distortion pedal that incorporates two different circuits. Circuit one is pretty much a stock analog distortion while circuit two provides an additional five (FIVE!) different non-modes for doubling and chorus effects coming from newly discovered digital planets.

Doubling one: REALLY REALLY short delay for an almost slap back echo Doubling two: REALLY Short delay for an almost slap back echo, the mode I use second most
because I really seems to be the sweet spot and hit what the developers were trying? Doubling Three: Short Delay for short slapback-esque sound Chorus one: Light Chorus (this was made in the eighties, right?) Chorus two: Light Flange. To my ears this just sounds too good to not use this one the most.

This pedal is ALOT of FUN to play! one is able to create all sorts of aquanet sounds from this monster and it's a BOSS, so it'll be around forever...and all of your friends will laugh at you once you tell them the name...Digital Metalizer, by BOSS?!?

louis_de_roo

101

almost 9 years ago

boss' most misleadingly named pedal

the 'digital' part in this pedals name refers to the digital slapback/doubling/chorus effect it allows you to switch in. Do yourself a favor and keep that turned off. What you're left with is a very nice and smooth high-gain drive that feels like the missing link between a vintage big muff and a Rat. Packs quite a punch too. because of the name and the color scheme this pedal is often mistakenly thrown in the heavy metal/metal zone pool, but it's a very different animal indeed. This one is Gilmour drive in a box!