Metal Drive is part of EBS´ Black Label series and designed in collaboration with John Moyer, of Disturbed. The vision was to make a distortion pedal for bassists asking for more of a metal character that what the Multi Drive offers.
Like all Black Label pedals the Metal Drive has a sturdy chassis, well screened, which in combination with good quality electronic components keeps noise and hum to a minimum. This is of course extra important in a distortion pedal which amplifies the signal a lot. Power comes from either a battery, an eliminator or the EBS phantom power unit. The footswitch is a metal true Bypass, which means that all electronics are eliminated from the signal path when the pedal is deactivated. It is in many cases a common experience that the signal lacks power even though an effects pedal is shut off. A small diode shows when the pedal is on.
The “Dist” control sets the amount of distortion and “Output” sets the output level. The small toggle switch between these two has three positions giving different character to the sound. Flat gives distortion all across the frequency range and is mainly aimed at powerful distorted sounds. STD (Standard) is the standard position that separates the low frequency part of the sound from the distorted part and adds if again before the output, which gives tight and focused lows. This position, according to EBS, is intended to give a more dynamic and valve-like sound. The third position, Tubesim, activates a second valve emulator step adding overtones and compression while having less of a top end. Apart from that it works similar to the STD and is recommended for moderately distorted sounds. Sound-wise, Metal Drive begins where Multi Drive ends. There is a small overlap and it is possible to get a moderately distorted overdrive, but really distorted sounds are the Metal Drive´s forte. The Flat position offers the most distorted character since it affects the full register and it is my opinion that EBS has achieved a finer balance sound-wise, with a slightly more laidback mid-range. I also enjoyed the fat and compressed sound of the Tubesim position.
It was a joy to play the Metal Drive and the metal riffs flowed in a never-ending stream. I cannot judge to what extent the target group will use the different sound characters, but the possibilities increase, that you find your sound when there is a lot to choose from. Finding the right distortion pedal for your bass is just as difficult as finding the right guitar distortion and Metal Drive is no doubt one of the best pedals I have heard. If you´re looking for a distortion pedal or if you´ve considered getting one, you owe it to yourself to try this one. Even if the thought hasn´t entered your head, you should try it. You´ll have lots of fun!
