Photo of DigiTech Death Metal and more gear in a pedal and closeup

DigiTech Death Metal

^# 45

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$59.00 Price Tier: Standard

3.5 (45)

12 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using DigiTech Death Metal

9 community setups

10 wishlisted

110 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (31)

$59.00 8 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $124

Standard/Professional

$80

$181+

Price Tier

In the Distortion Effects Pedals category, DigiTech Death Metal is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

Unleash the beast within your guitar with the DigiTech Death Metal pedal. Built to deliver an ominously dark and aggressively brutal tone, this pedal is your key to unlock high-gain, buzz-saw distortion with the simple stomp of a foot. The sturdy chassis houses comprehensive EQ controls for low, mid, and high frequencies, promising an expansive range of sonic possibilities. Although this pedal is a natural fit for death and thrash metal genres, its potential doesn't stop there. It can also add an interesting twist to noise rock and experimental music, making it a versatile addition to any pedalboard.

Key Features:

Dual output for enhanced sound control
Rugged chassis designed for long-lasting use
EQ controls allowing adjustments for low, mid, and high frequencies
Versatile use, perfect for death and thrash metal, noise rock, and experimental music genres

Product specs

Brand	DigiTech
Model	Death Metal Distortion
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Categories	Distortion Pedals

FAQs

What kind of distortion can I expect from the DigiTech Death Metal pedal?: The DigiTech Death Metal pedal provides an intense, heavy distortion perfect for death metal and similar genres. It delivers a high-gain sound with a focus on aggressive, saturated tones.
Does the DigiTech Death Metal pedal have an EQ section?: Yes, the DigiTech Death Metal pedal features a three-band EQ, allowing you to adjust the low, mid, and high frequencies to tailor your sound to your preference.
Can the DigiTech Death Metal pedal be powered by a battery?: The DigiTech Death Metal pedal can be powered using a 9V battery or an optional AC adapter, providing flexibility for different performance setups.
Is the DigiTech Death Metal pedal suitable for live performances?: Yes, the DigiTech Death Metal pedal is designed for live performances, offering robust construction and a footswitch that can withstand heavy use on stage.
How does the DigiTech Death Metal pedal compare to other distortion pedals?: The DigiTech Death Metal pedal stands out for its extreme gain and aggressive tone, making it particularly suitable for metal genres that require high levels of distortion.

Videos

Add video

Ola Englund

DIGITECH DEATH METAL / MASTER - WORST DISTORTION PEDAL

Ola Englund

Boss Metal Zone Vs Digitech Death Metal Distortion Pedal Shootout

Simon Smith

Digitech Death Metal Pedal Demo. Surprises most by the end!

MetalRecordingServices.com

Its a DEATH-OFF...DOD FX86 vs FX86B vs DigiTech Death Metal

TheSuperFunAwesomeHappyTimePedalShow

Digitech Death Metal Pedal Demo

Dave V

The Chainsaw Files – Digitech Death Metal vs Boss HM-2 clone comparison

Dome

Digitech 'Death Metal' Electric Guitar Pedal Review @ JB Hi-Fi

JB Hi-Fi Official

Metal to the Pedal!! Digitech Death Metal effects pedal!! That chainsaw(ish) on a discount!! #metal

Beers N Gears

Pedal Vault – Digitech Death Metal Distortion Pedal review

Dome

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Unique, aggressive sound for harsh noise applications
Relatively inexpensive on the used market
Powerful 3-band EQ for versatile tone shaping
Dual outputs, including one with cab simulation
Can be creatively used as a fuzz pedal for bass
Exceptional for specific extreme metal genres
High gain without a need for a gain knob
Works well as a pre-amp in effects loop return

CONS

Lacks versatility; primarily for death metal and similar genres
Overwhelming bass can overshadow other frequencies
Mid control can be overly sensitive, requiring careful adjustment
Not suited for genres outside of extreme metal or noise music
Durability concerns with older units
Some find it produces too much treble and digital fizz

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about DigiTech Death Metal.

Features and functionality

0 0

The DigiTech Death Metal pedal lacks a gain knob; the gain is permanently set to maximum, which may limit tonal flexibility.
Source
0 0

The pedal includes a mixer output, which is an update from the original DOD Death Metal version.
Source
0 0

The pedal's original knobs were labeled RIP, Guts, Pain, and Scream, assumed to correspond to level, bass, treble, and gain.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

It's a high-gain distortion pedal more suited for extreme metal rather than shoegaze, requiring a different pedal for the chainsaw sound of an HM-2.
Source
0 0

Some users recommend the DigiTech Hardwire Metal Distortion for shoegaze instead, noting its ability to create a "wall of sound."
Source
0 0

Some owners use the Mixer Out jack as a direct input for recording '90s punk rock leads.
Source
0 0

Adjusting the mids and level can approximate an HM-2 chainsaw sound, though it's acknowledged as distinct and "beefier."
Source

User experience

0 0

It's been noted that the pedal is quite noisy, suggesting a noise gate might be necessary for clean operation.
Source
0 0

Users report the pedal can produce a "thicker" sound, described as more "Florida" metal, despite lacking the traditional Swedish chainsaw tone.
Source
0 0

The pedal is notorious for its loud hissing, described as akin to a "mighty King Cobra," often necessitating the use of a noise suppressor.
Source
0 0

One user reported blowing two speakers with the pedal, highlighting its potential for high output and aggressive distortion.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

This pedal is compared as a simplified version of the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone, lacking some control flexibility.
Source
0 0

For those seeking an HM-2 sound on a budget, the Behringer HM300 is suggested as a more faithful alternative.
Source
0 0

Compared to the HM-2, the Death Metal pedal is described as having more saturation, giving a different flavor to the metal tones.
Source