This article delves into the unexpected world of death metal guitar pedals, but with a twist. Forget guitars; we're exploring their capabilities in the realm of harsh noise experimentation. Using unconventional instruments like a scrap-metal shaker box, a Cyber Grunge synthesizer, and even processed vocals, we put three popular pedals – the DOD FX86, Digitech Death Metal, and DOD FX86B – to the ultimate test. The goal wasn't to achieve pristine tones, but rather to push these pedals to their limits and uncover their potential for creating abrasive, texturally rich soundscapes. We meticulously analyzed their response to diverse inputs and frequencies, revealing surprising nuances in their distortion and EQ characteristics.This experiment aimed to demonstrate the pedals' versatility beyond their conventional guitar-based applications. By applying them to unconventional sound sources and exploring a wide spectrum of frequencies, we showcase their potential within the experimental music community, particularly for genres such as harsh noise, industrial, and noise music. The results highlight the unique qualities of each pedal and offer insights for those seeking to expand their sonic palettes with unconventional techniques and tools.
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Testing with the Forbidden Fruit Shaker Box
The first instrument put to the test was a unique shaker box, the 'Forbidden Fruit,' equipped with a contact microphone and filled with scrap metal. This setup produced a distinctive, percussive sound, ideal for exploring the pedals' response to complex textures.
Each pedal was evaluated individually with this unique instrument, adjusting the EQ settings (low, mid, high) to highlight the tonal variations and potential uses in harsh noise music.
The goal was to observe how each pedal interacted with the instrument's unique sound profile, emphasizing low, mid, and high frequencies for comparative analysis.
Synth Exploration: Cyber Grunge Synthesizer
Next, a Cyber Grunge synthesizer was used to investigate how the pedals would affect electronic harsh noise. The synth's multi-oscillator design offered a range of textures and tones.
This experiment aimed to show the pedals' capacity to enhance and modify the synth's inherent harshness and to see how they handled different electronic textures.
The comparison between pedals using the synthesizer highlighted the unique characteristics of each one, especially differences in gain and distortion types.
Vocal Experiments and Metal Resonance
The versatility of the pedals was further explored by processing vocals through the shaker box. The contact microphone transformed the voice into a distorted and reverberant soundscape.
The experiment demonstrated how the pedals could alter the timbre and texture of the vocals, adding unique effects to the harsh vocal sound. This is a testament to their usability beyond traditional guitar-based effects.
Using vocals highlighted the subtle differences in how each pedal handles dynamics and transient responses.
Metal Sheet and Contact Microphone Performance
A final performance showcased the pedals used with a contact microphone on a sheet of metal, along with a knife and chain. The diverse sounds created highlighted the pedals' responsiveness to various inputs.
This demonstration emphasizes the pedals' adaptability in extreme sonic environments and their capacity to enhance already texturally rich sounds.
The experiment demonstrates how effective these pedals can be in creating unique soundscapes, far beyond their standard use with guitars.
Conclusion: Death Metal Pedal Showdown
Each pedal, the DOD FX86, Digitech Death Metal, and DOD FX86B, brought unique qualities to the harsh noise experiments. The DOD FX86, when run at 9V, showed a grittier distortion that might benefit from 12V for a cleaner, bassier output according to the original owner.
The Digitech Death Metal offered a distinct distortion character and the DOD FX86B provided a balanced alternative. The best choice depends on personal preferences and the desired sonic outcome.
Overall, these pedals are excellent for those venturing outside traditional guitar effects. Their robust distortion and EQ controls create extreme tones perfect for noise, experimental, and industrial music. While individual preferences will play a part, all are worthy additions to a noise musician’s pedalboard.