The Freqscene Effects Cleanless is a distortion pedal built on an expanded take of the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal Distortion, the high gain circuit favored by Death Metal enthusiasts. Designed by Wade of Freqscene Effects, it keeps the HM-2's Chainsaw tones while extending the gain range both above and below the original, and adds an independent post-gain clean boost with up to +14dB available12.
Controls
The Cleanless retains the original HM-2's Level, Lows, Highs and Distortion control concept while adding a second row of controls, a clipping switch and two footswitches1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level, Lows, Highs, Distortion | Carried over from the original HM-2 concept1 |
| Boost Level | Sets the post-gain clean boost level1 |
| Clean Blend | Blends clean signal with the distorted signal1 |
| Distort, Volume | Gain and output for the distortion side1 |
| Lo, Mid, Hi | Extended EQ over the original's two-band arrangement1 |
| Stock/Custom switch | Selects between stock HM-2-style clipping and a custom clipping mode1 |
| Boost and Distortion footswitches | Independent switching for the two sections1 |
Stock and custom clipping
A clipping switch on the enclosure selects between the stock HM-2-style clipping and a custom clipping mode. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson called the custom setting "a secret sauce custom clipping mode"1, and in his fuller review described the Custom Clipping Mode as "more open, dynamic, and louder" than the stock clipping2.
The clean boost
The Clean Boost control sits after the gain stage, is full range, and works independently of the distortion side, with up to +14dB available2. Karlsson found it works well across the pedal:
"That Clean Boost interacts brilliantly with the entire circuit - and I deploy it in different ways for heat of my"
He also noted it can be dialled back to run under unity, so the boost section can be used to shape level rather than only to push louder2.
Availability and the EFFFECTS typo
The Cleanless is available in limited batch releases for $199 from the Freqscene Effects webstore2. Freqscene describes it as expanding the Boss HM-2 into a gain workstation, retaining Chainsaw tones while adding post-gain Cleanless-style options2.
The first 30 enclosures carry a deliberate triple-F typo, reading FREQSCENE EFFFECTS. Guitar Pedal X reports those first 30 units are all gone, so later enclosures show the standard spelling2.
A further detail for collectors: the top row of knobs on the reviewed unit came from Nic at Empty Head Effects, 3D-printed in three colourways, originally made for the Empty Head The External / Internal Model2.
Videos
Pedalgaze
Questions
What circuit is the Freqscene Cleanless based on?
The Cleanless is an expanded take on the Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal Distortion, the high gain pedal long favoured by Death Metal enthusiasts. Guitar Pedal X describes it as Wade's expanded version of the HM-2, retaining the original's Chainsaw tones while extending the gain range upwards and downwards.
Who designs Freqscene Effects pedals?
Freqscene Effects pedals are designed by Wade, who according to Guitar Pedal X has focused on getting the most out of the Cleanless's lower gain settings as well as its high gain territory.
How much clean boost does the Cleanless have?
The Cleanless has an independent, full-range, post-gain clean boost with up to +14dB available. Reviewer Stefan Karlsson of Guitar Pedal X found it interacts well with the whole circuit and can be dialled back to run under unity.
What is the difference between stock and custom clipping on the Cleanless?
A Stock/Custom clipping switch selects between the original HM-2-style clipping and a custom clipping mode. Guitar Pedal X describes the custom mode as more open, dynamic and louder than the stock clipping, calling it a secret sauce mode.
Why do some Cleanless enclosures say EFFFECTS?
The first 30 enclosures carry a deliberate triple-F typo, reading FREQSCENE EFFFECTS. Guitar Pedal X notes those first 30 units are all gone, so later enclosures carry the standard spelling.
Sources (2)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-07-27
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-10-06
