The NEXI Industries Metal Distortion, model number MTD-01, is an electric guitar effect pedal in the metal distortion category, announced in May 2017. It carries Distortion, Tone and Volume controls and is true bypass, and it was designed by boutique effect pedal creators who call themselves the "Vintage Analog Protection Squad"1. Guitar Interactive Magazine's Jonathan Graham introduced it with the phrase "True bypass and true metal"2.
Controls
The pedal's three knobs work as follows, according to the press release that announced it1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Distortion | Dial up distortion to increase compression on the signal, making it grittier and harsher, or dial it down to make it cleaner |
| Tone | Shapes the pedal's high end |
| Volume | Determines how much distortion is heard in the mix |
The Distortion control's compression behavior comes from Premier Guitar's announcement1. The Volume control's role is described by Guitar Interactive Magazine: it lets a player "determine how much distortion is heard in the mix with Volume"2.
Power and connections
The Metal Distortion can be powered two ways. Premier Guitar's press release states that it "can be used standalone with a 9V battery", so a player can run it without any external supply at all1. It can also be "plugged right into the external power supply of NEXI's revolutionary pedal board", which is the company's own board system1. For a player already using a NEXI pedal board, the pedal draws its power from that supply; for everyone else, a 9V battery covers it.
The pedal was announced in May 2017 at a retail price of $109.00 USD1. That price is the one given at release and carries its date.
Where it came from
The Metal Distortion sits in the NEXI Industries range as a distortion pedal with a list price of $109.00 USD1. Its single Distortion control shapes the character of the effect: dial it up to increase compression on the signal, making it grittier and harsher, or dial it down for a cleaner sound1.
How it sits among metal distortion pedals
The MTD-01 is one of many dedicated metal distortion pedals. Others in the same category include the TC Electronic EYEMASTER METAL DISTORTION, which is true bypass, and the LunaStone Deep Metal, also true bypass. What sets the NEXI apart on paper is its power arrangement: where most pedals in the category rely on a standard external adapter, the MTD-01 was announced as running standalone on a 9V battery or from NEXI's own pedal board supply1.
Videos
NEXI Industries
The Tone King
Questions
Is the NEXI Metal Distortion true bypass?
Yes. Premier Guitar's 2017 press release described the pedal as 'True bypass and true metal', and Guitar Interactive Magazine's Jonathan Graham repeated the same phrase in his coverage of the MTD-01. True bypass means that when the pedal is switched off, your guitar's signal passes through it without going through the distortion circuit, so the pedal does not color your clean tone when it is not in use.
Does the NEXI Metal Distortion take a 9V battery?
Yes. According to Premier Guitar's May 2017 press release, the Metal Distortion can be used standalone with a 9V battery. It can also be plugged into the external power supply of NEXI's pedal board, so players can run it either way depending on how their setup is arranged.
What is the model number of the NEXI Metal Distortion?
The model number is MTD-01. Premier Guitar's press release announced the pedal as 'NEXI Industries' new Metal Distortion (MTD-01) electric guitar effect pedal', and Guitar Interactive Magazine used the same designation in its news coverage of the release.
Who makes NEXI pedals?
NEXI pedals are made by NEXI Industries. According to Premier Guitar and Guitar Interactive Magazine, the Metal Distortion was designed by boutique effect pedal creators who call themselves the 'Vintage Analog Protection Squad'. The same design team is credited on all NEXI pedals, including the company's earlier 1970s Distortion DIS-01.
Sources (2)
- NEXI Industries Unveils the Metal Distortion, Premier Guitar, 2017-05-24
- Metal Distortion Adds Attitude to NEXI Industries' Effect Pedal Lineup, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2017-05-31
