A heavy metal distortion pedal is an electronic device used by electric guitarists to create a distorted, overdriven sound. It is typically placed between the guitar and the amplifier, and its purpose is to add sustain, gain, and harmonics to the guitar signal. Distortion pedals are used in a wide variety of genres of music, but they are particularly popular in heavy metal, where they are used to create the characteristic “crunch” sound of the genre.
There are many different types of distortion pedals on the market, each with its own unique sound. Some of the most popular types include tube distortion pedals, solid-state distortion pedals, and fuzz pedals. Tube distortion pedals use vacuum tubes to create their sound, which is often described as being warm and smooth. Solid-state distortion pedals use transistors to create their sound, which is often described as being more aggressive and edgy. Fuzz pedals use a combination of transistors and diodes to create their sound, which is often described as being thick and saturated.
