The Rocktron Metal Embrace is a distortion pedal in the company's Boutique Series of stompboxes. Rocktron describes it as adding to its "legendary distortion lineup" with "a unique and amazing distortion pedal," and it sits alongside other Boutique Series dirt boxes such as the Rocktron Metal Planet, the Silver Dragon and the Zombie. It is a true bypass pedal: when switched off, Rocktron says it is out of your signal path entirely1.
Controls
The Metal Embrace uses stacked concentric knobs for its tone shaping, which gives it more controls than the usual three-knob distortion without a bigger footprint. Rocktron lists them as follows1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Symmetry | Controls the amount of negative excursion of the distorted waveform, which enhances harmonic overtones |
| Middle Frequency (outer) | Sets the mid center frequency |
| Middle (inner) | Mid frequency cut/boost |
| High (inner) | Treble EQ |
| Low (outer) | Bass EQ |
The Symmetry control is the pedal's distinguishing feature. Rocktron describes it as Waveform Symmetry, "which adds harmonics," and the knob itself "controls the amount of negative excursion of the resulting distorted waveform which enhances harmonic overtones"1. In practical terms it lets a player tilt the shape of the clipped wave, changing how many harmonics the distortion generates, rather than only adjusting gain and EQ.
A single footswitch controls the pedal's On/Off status, indicated by an LED1.
Sound and what reviewers said
Delicious Audio reviewed the pedal in June 2014, with Gus Green writing the review. He placed it in the Boutique line and drew a direct comparison to a well-known Boss pedal:
"It reminded me of the Boss Heavy Metal Pedal, but with a boutique signal path and upgraded components."
On the sound itself, Green reported: "I got a really nice heavy distortion tone. Not quite death palm muting territory, but just a nice rich heavy distortion"2. He found the sweepable mid-range EQ appeared to sit after the distortion circuit, used "to really shape and craft the overall tone," and he singled out the mid control for praise: "The sweepable mid sounded everything but too honky like the HM Distortion could get in a hurry"2. He also noted he had reviewed the Sweet Spot fixed wah from the same line earlier and "was very impressed with the build quality and solid sonics" of Rocktron's boutique pedals2.
Power and connections
The Metal Embrace runs on a 9V alkaline battery, or on the Rocktron DC OnTap Universal Power Adaptor, which is sold separately. The power connector uses a negative tip, and current consumption is listed at 20mA1. The input and output are standard Hi-Z jacks, with a 1MΩ input impedance and a 1k output impedance, and maximum input and output levels of 8dBu1.
The DC OnTap power supply is not included with the pedal. If you run it off a battery, the pedal takes a 9V alkaline1.
Place in the Boutique Series
The Metal Embrace is part of the Rocktron Boutique Series of stompboxes, a line the maker presents in a "rugged metal chassis with eye popping retro custom design laser etched artwork"1. Other distortion-adjacent pedals in the wider Rocktron range include the Third Angel Distortion, the Rampage Distortion, the Gary Hoey Intimidator and the Reaction Distortion II. For a broader view of the category, see the site's page on Distortion Pedals.
Videos
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Questions
What does the Symmetry knob do on the Rocktron Metal Embrace?
The Symmetry knob controls the amount of negative excursion of the distorted waveform, which enhances harmonic overtones. Rocktron describes this as Waveform Symmetry, a feature that adds harmonics to the distortion, giving the player another way to shape the character of the clipped signal beyond the standard gain and tone controls.
Is the Rocktron Metal Embrace true bypass?
Yes. Rocktron states the pedal is true bypass, so when it is switched off it is out of the signal path entirely. The reviewer at Delicious Audio confirmed the pedal is true bypass with standard Hi-Z input and output jacks.
How does the Metal Embrace compare to the Boss Heavy Metal pedal?
Delicious Audio's reviewer, Gus Green, wrote that the Metal Embrace reminded him of the Boss Heavy Metal Pedal, but with a boutique signal path and upgraded components. He also found the sweepable mid EQ sounded nothing like the honky mid the HM Distortion could get in a hurry.
What polarity does the Metal Embrace power supply use?
The pedal runs on a 9V alkaline battery or the Rocktron DC OnTap Universal Power Supply, which is sold separately. The power connector uses a negative tip. Current consumption is listed at 20mA.
What is the Middle Frequency control?
The Middle Frequency is the outer control of a stacked knob that sets the mid center frequency, while the inner Middle control sets the amount of mid frequency cut or boost. Together they form a sweepable mid-range EQ that reviewer Gus Green described as appearing to sit after the distortion circuit, used to shape the overall tone.
Sources (2)
- Metal Embrace Distortion Boutique Series Stomp Box, Rocktron, 2024-08-28
- Pedal Review: Rocktron's Metal Embrace, Delicious Audio, 2014-06-05
