I like em both really. Lots of people dissent against the ML-2 for its lack of usable tone, but that's more than likely the users impatience while dialing in the pedal, amp, or combination of both. I also find it humorous how some players who only seem to desire heavy amounts of over the top, amp like saturation will discredit pedals like the ML-2 or even the Metal Zone for being unable to be versatile when all they wish to sound like is the scoopy "chugga-chugga-chugga." To my ears: The ML-2 is a representative of the more American voiced, modern stacks, and the ST-2 is the representative of British, El34 driven stacks. They both have decently usable tones that can accommodate both a modern taste or a vintage taste. Really good demo by the way!
Jacob Paxton my Man U hit the NAIL on the fucking HEAD!! 👍🏼👍🏼 people have NO idea wtf they are doing and then are so quick to get on TH-cam and discredit something they don’t understand... all the good pedals Boss has put out, why would they keep making one for yearrrrrs, if it was so trash?? Every single one of these pedals has a niche and it doesn’t take anything away from their individual quality, sorry for the response bro, but u took some very frustrated thoughts out of my head and put them into words so I thank you brother😂🙏🏻
With mine I’ve found that it has way too much bass and not enough treble (is going into a fender champion 40w). So I usually have the gain a hair over halfway, the treble turned almost all the way up, and the bass a little over half way. I know this is an old comment but I’m replying anyways
@@dirtydanthesecretsauceman8519 I concur and my settings are about the same as yours through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I'm finding the same problem with the DS-1X.
power stack is some crazy digital technology, metal core is pure analog, basically the metal core is an actual pre amp and the power stack is a tiny computer.
@@russianvideovlogguy Your statement is wrong. You'll find the Boss ML-2 Metal Core is actually a digital pedal too. It even clearly says so on the panel label underneath, "This Class B digital apparatus meets all the requirements..." and/or "This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules..." etc. Since 2007 up to current date, Boss have released 12 new compact stomp pedals offering distortion / overdrive based on digital internal DSP processing through A/D and D/A converters. These are... DN-2 Dyna Drive FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman FDR-1 Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp FZ-5 Fuzz ML-2 Metal Core ST-2 Power Stack BC-2 Combo Drive FB-2 Feedbacker / Booster DA-2 Adaptive Distortion DS-1X Distortion OD-1X Overdrive BB-1X Bass Driver
I cast my vote for the Power Stack. Definitely a much ballsier tone with more midrange punch -- very reminiscent of Marshall JCM800 stack pushed to the max. The Metal Core sounds too thin -- like the midrange was completely sucked out. The tone definitely suffers for it. I guess it's OK for playing death metal, but not much else.
thumbs up for this comment, just because I am sort of shocked that the Powerstack has such tones going on. I know that I dig the Metalcore, it is just one of them toanz.. but you hit it on the head, there is some very solid midrange moments in the Powerstack. But, that chunk in the Metalcore is pretty damn tasty.. I say BOTH!
+Zachary Baranek Agreed. I have to have that Metal core I like the thicker tone of the Powerstack but I want that extra gain and I actually like the brightness so to speak of the MC.
I'm not a metal guy here and more on the punk/classic rock side . If you use the power stack in a "non metal way" and keep the sound knob on the crunch side with the level around 7 ,8 clock. You can get some really good tones. I paired it with a vox amp. With that you can get some Ron Asheton tone. At the same time I know this video was supposed to show how close it was to the metal core. Great video
@@patrickmurphy1218 the metalzone is too scoopy when played through a clean tone. And I'm talking about in front of the amp. Not an effects loop. The metalzone doesn't have that metal tone. Jared Dines is a click baiting dumb
Great demo, but, and I`m not raggin` just wish you would also A-B some level settings on the pedals, to know how much headroom is left. But nice job. Thanks, Philip.
Metal core lift forward mid ranges a lot while the 2 stack lift forward lower midds. So metal core make cleaner tones since it shave of lower and deep ends. Can imagine that one sounds great with some amp tunings. You can go similar process with the two stack and they ( almost) meet at the middle I guess. There is also something else that colors the tone slightly but it is more difficult to put words on
I already have the BOSS ST-2 Powerstack and the MT_2 Metal Zone. I run the MT-2 thru my effect loop and the ST-2 thru the front on a clean on my Blackstar amp. I like them both but wanting something a bit more heavy sounding and I think this video has shown me this might be the pedal Im looking for. All have their uses and I also like the that Powerstack can by dialed in to sound a lot like a Marshal Plexi amp sound by turning the level up to about 3/4, bass to about 5/6, treble about 5/6 and SOUND/Drive to about 3 or 4, and then stacked with other pedals for some cool effect. But I love pedals. You can never own enough of them and they can be used for more than just one type of music. Experimentation will always keep you interested in playing being it live or just finding out what pedals you can record with go best with each other. I would own them all if my wife would allow it. haha! But thanks for the video! You made me make up my mind. Now I just have to order it and sneak it past my wife. Hmm, or bribe her that I will buy her a new video game for a pedal? ....
Simon great video. Looking for a distortion pedal or some pedal to help give my solo for a piece of music I wrote (think Judas Priest) a little more umph! Got any suggestions? I play a gibson LP through a JVM and Ibanez tube screamer. I was kinda supervised that the solo just didn't have enough bite. Suggested pedals?
I have both and they’re incredible!! One is modern and the other is more vintage plus ML-2 is 6L6 and PS -2 of course is EL 34… just my opinion though🤔👍
Both are very good..it depends on what type of music you play..it has its own unique tone which one cannot do what the other want does..so no need of saying that one is better the other sounds bad....no point..just crab them according to your needs
keith ellis haha ayyy bro I can vouch for the Metal Muff... just like the MT-2 it gets a lot a lot of haters, who don’t know what they are doing, but quick to give a pedal a bad wrap...the metal muff with distortion around 85-90% and volume low as fuck - turn the volume up on the Amp - to personal taste - and slightly slightly scoop the mids to about 8-9 o’clock on the MM pedal, and leave the bass at around NOON and Treble around 9-10 o clock, this is one of my favorite sounds brother... with a clean boost of course
Is it good for Thrash Metal because I want an Thrash Metal tone and Florida Death Metal tone I can't find the right pedals for $99.99 and under I want to die if I still can't find the right tone
In my opinion, the metalcore just knocks all the other boss pedals off the chart. This pedal is amazing. Better than the metalzone. Metalzone was too chunky
I used to have a Metal Core, didn’t have a good understanding for pedals as I do now, so now that I sold it 2 years ago, I could literally punch myself in the face for selling, yet I find the power stack to have more POTENTIAL in its sound🤔 and one thing I’ve learned is potential is more important to me personally than a specific sound, the room left to carve out ur own tone is a massively over-looked quality imho...
I own ML-2 & MT-2 and i got to admit, ML-2 sounds like ass no matter where i put it or how i tweak it. If it works for you then i'd like to know your settings for it.
I'm more of and old school guy so I love the Power Stack. I've been using it for 2 years. It has that classic Marshall crunch to it
I like em both really. Lots of people dissent against the ML-2 for its lack of usable tone, but that's more than likely the users impatience while dialing in the pedal, amp, or combination of both.
I also find it humorous how some players who only seem to desire heavy amounts of over the top, amp like saturation will discredit pedals like the ML-2 or even the Metal Zone for being unable to be versatile when all they wish to sound like is the scoopy "chugga-chugga-chugga."
To my ears: The ML-2 is a representative of the more American voiced, modern stacks, and the ST-2 is the representative of British, El34 driven stacks. They both have decently usable tones that can accommodate both a modern taste or a vintage taste. Really good demo by the way!
Jacob Paxton my Man U hit the NAIL on the fucking HEAD!! 👍🏼👍🏼 people have NO idea wtf they are doing and then are so quick to get on TH-cam and discredit something they don’t understand... all the good pedals Boss has put out, why would they keep making one for yearrrrrs, if it was so trash??
Every single one of these pedals has a niche and it doesn’t take anything away from their individual quality, sorry for the response bro, but u took some very frustrated thoughts out of my head and put them into words so I thank you brother😂🙏🏻
With mine I’ve found that it has way too much bass and not enough treble (is going into a fender champion 40w). So I usually have the gain a hair over halfway, the treble turned almost all the way up, and the bass a little over half way.
I know this is an old comment but I’m replying anyways
@@dirtydanthesecretsauceman8519 I concur and my settings are about the same as yours through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I'm finding the same problem with the DS-1X.
The ML-2 is one of the best metal/high gain pedals out there. I use one with a hollow body.
ST-2, most underrated Boss pedal if there was one, thanks for bringing this to us, back in 2014!
is it just me or does the metalcore sound much cleaner as far as definition in the actual playing
Love the power stack.!!
They both seem really good at what they're for. I think I wanna run like 4-5 Boss dirt boxes in front of a clean Katana for a bit and see what's up.
Metal core = recent stuff
Power stack = old school stuff
power stack is some crazy digital technology, metal core is pure analog, basically the metal core is an actual pre amp and the power stack is a tiny computer.
@@russianvideovlogguy Your statement is wrong. You'll find the Boss ML-2 Metal Core is actually a digital pedal too. It even clearly says so on the panel label underneath, "This Class B digital apparatus meets all the requirements..." and/or "This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules..." etc.
Since 2007 up to current date, Boss have released 12 new compact stomp pedals offering distortion / overdrive based on digital internal DSP processing through A/D and D/A converters. These are...
DN-2 Dyna Drive
FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman
FDR-1 Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Amp
FZ-5 Fuzz
ML-2 Metal Core
ST-2 Power Stack
BC-2 Combo Drive
FB-2 Feedbacker / Booster
DA-2 Adaptive Distortion
DS-1X Distortion
OD-1X Overdrive
BB-1X Bass Driver
@@propianistUK wait, what?
I've never heard of the Power Stack! Nice demo.
I cast my vote for the Power Stack. Definitely a much ballsier tone with more midrange punch -- very reminiscent of Marshall JCM800 stack pushed to the max. The Metal Core sounds too thin -- like the midrange was completely sucked out. The tone definitely suffers for it. I guess it's OK for playing death metal, but not much else.
thumbs up for this comment, just because I am sort of shocked that the Powerstack has such tones going on. I know that I dig the Metalcore, it is just one of them toanz.. but you hit it on the head, there is some very solid midrange moments in the Powerstack. But, that chunk in the Metalcore is pretty damn tasty.. I say BOTH!
+Zachary Baranek Agreed. I have to have that Metal core I like the thicker tone of the Powerstack but I want that extra gain and I actually like the brightness so to speak of the MC.
Why are these comments opposite what's actually coming out of the speakers.... The powerstack is brighter.
I'm not a metal guy here and more on the punk/classic rock side . If you use the power stack in a "non metal way" and keep the sound knob on the crunch side with the level around 7 ,8 clock. You can get some really good tones. I paired it with a vox amp. With that you can get some Ron Asheton tone. At the same time I know this video was supposed to show how close it was to the metal core. Great video
Great demo I like the power stack cheers mate much appreciated
I have both the metal core mix well in the band power stack ok for od snd crunch
Very nice!! Good work showing two types of distortion! Keep on the good work! Greetings from Brazil!! Cheers!!!
Power stack is warmer and also good for solo. 👌✔
Out of all the boss distortion pedals. The metalcore is the best in my opinion. Not too chunky. I like how clean it sounds.
@@patrickmurphy1218 the metalzone is too scoopy when played through a clean tone. And I'm talking about in front of the amp. Not an effects loop. The metalzone doesn't have that metal tone. Jared Dines is a click baiting dumb
Ml2 sound like scoop mids. St2 is bright and clear notes. Both have different flavour.
Powerstack all the way, add an eq pedal and it gets evan better👍
Eq on the core also
Is it just me or your guitar has a slight tuning/intonation issue?
Goth both power stack great for les paul ala gary moore thin lizzy and the metal core for highgain heavy stuff both great
Nice shootout. But Metal Core is for death metal, and Power Stack for rock'n'roll.
I agree 100% !!!
Disagree Power Stack is great for some Thrash Metal and Traditional/NWOBHMish tones.
@@dylannightingale6959 Agree full 100 percents!
Dylan Nightingale totally. Got some nice Maiden/Priest sounds in there.
Power stack has more gain
Great demo, but, and I`m not raggin` just wish you would also A-B some level settings on the pedals, to know how much headroom is left. But nice job. Thanks, Philip.
But is the power stat great for playing black metal
Metal core lift forward mid ranges a lot while the 2 stack lift forward lower midds.
So metal core make cleaner tones since it shave of lower and deep ends. Can imagine that one sounds great with some amp tunings.
You can go similar process with the two stack and they ( almost) meet at the middle I guess. There is also something else that colors the tone slightly but it is more difficult to put words on
Which one would you go for out these two pedals?
Ive always heard the power stack is supposed to be a "marshall in a box". Is the metal core supposed to be "____ in a box" pedal?
Power stack is one of the best and most versatile boss drive distortion pedals!❤❤❤
ML2 again. Is there nothing this stompbox can't do?
It can't walk my dog. I've tried to persuade it, but to no avail!
I already have the BOSS ST-2 Powerstack and the MT_2 Metal Zone. I run the MT-2 thru my effect loop and the ST-2 thru the front on a clean on my Blackstar amp. I like them both but wanting something a bit more heavy sounding and I think this video has shown me this might be the pedal Im looking for. All have their uses and I also like the that Powerstack can by dialed in to sound a lot like a Marshal Plexi amp sound by turning the level up to about 3/4, bass to about 5/6, treble about 5/6 and SOUND/Drive to about 3 or 4, and then stacked with other pedals for some cool effect. But I love pedals. You can never own enough of them and they can be used for more than just one type of music. Experimentation will always keep you interested in playing being it live or just finding out what pedals you can record with go best with each other. I would own them all if my wife would allow it. haha! But thanks for the video! You made me make up my mind. Now I just have to order it and sneak it past my wife. Hmm, or bribe her that I will buy her a new video game for a pedal? ....
love BOSS ST- 2
Mad harmonics on the Power Stack
did you try a switch around?
Appreciated the 2008 as blood runs black riff at 3:30
muy buena prueba de sonido👍
Simon great video. Looking for a distortion pedal or some pedal to help give my solo for a piece of music I wrote (think Judas Priest) a little more umph! Got any suggestions? I play a gibson LP through a JVM and Ibanez tube screamer. I was kinda supervised that the solo just didn't have enough bite. Suggested pedals?
egin3 Thanks Egin3. I'd go with the Metal Core. It's a beast of a pedal!
That power stack can sound thick as gravy
great video,helps a lot
+Tito Woche Cheers Tito
agreed
I have both and they’re incredible!! One is modern and the other is more vintage plus ML-2 is 6L6 and PS -2 of course is EL 34… just my opinion though🤔👍
ML2 Engl or Orange
ST2 Marshall or Blackstar
As much as I'm liking the Power Stack for its Marshall like sounds and tones, for me, as a metalhead, the Metal Core is definitely for me.
Do you know the same pedal MT-2 which has more sustain? Or does not have built in gate?
Is it just me, or both of them sound like british voiced distortions? (like Marshalls)
I gotta go with the metalcore
power stack up !
Both are very good..it depends on what type of music you play..it has its own unique tone which one cannot do what the other want does..so no need of saying that one is better the other sounds bad....no point..just crab them according to your needs
Power stack - Dragonforce
Metal core - Napalm Death
I'm gonna gave to metal core. It sounds more "there" I guess idk
Ehx metal muff top boost/ 90.00 very metal
The metal core isn't on 10
The power stack is?
keith ellis haha ayyy bro I can vouch for the Metal Muff... just like the MT-2 it gets a lot a lot of haters, who don’t know what they are doing, but quick to give a pedal a bad wrap...the metal muff with distortion around 85-90% and volume low as fuck - turn the volume up on the Amp - to personal taste - and slightly slightly scoop the mids to about 8-9 o’clock on the MM pedal, and leave the bass at around NOON and Treble around 9-10 o clock, this is one of my favorite sounds brother... with a clean boost of course
Metal Core 🤟
Awesome!
Metal core more aggressive!!
ST-2
Aside from his Les Paul Slash's secret weapon is the POWER STACK
?
My zoom g1on kick ass at this pedal
Tune it please
I just got a ST-2 and use it as a overdrive pedal in a way, sounds killer on my peavy 6505
Is it good for Thrash Metal because I want an Thrash Metal tone and Florida Death Metal tone I can't find the right pedals for $99.99 and under I want to die if I still can't find the right tone
In my opinion, the metalcore just knocks all the other boss pedals off the chart. This pedal is amazing. Better than the metalzone. Metalzone was too chunky
powerstack seemed a little bit muddy
Jesse Rodriguez I thought so too. Which is why I liked it more.
Power stack too me.....sounds more organic...core is cool alright, could have some fun jams, not as versatile as the Pstack
si no le bajas la ganancia al metal core como quieres limpieza ? el metal core es un pedal para algo marrano
de hecho el volumen lo tiene más bajo y la ganancia más alta a mi no me parece un buen demo
El power stack suena al mega distortion
One or the other👍👍👍👍👍
Power Stack.
Power-stack
I used to have a Metal Core, didn’t have a good understanding for pedals as I do now, so now that I sold it 2 years ago, I could literally punch myself in the face for selling, yet I find the power stack to have more POTENTIAL in its sound🤔 and one thing I’ve learned is potential is more important to me personally than a specific sound, the room left to carve out ur own tone is a massively over-looked quality imho...
st2!
I own ML-2 & MT-2 and i got to admit, ML-2 sounds like ass no matter where i put it or how i tweak it.
If it works for you then i'd like to know your settings for it.
Power Stack = marshall 100x100 !!!!
then you play it over and over again
Angel Sun I knew you liked it so thought I'd play it a bit more for you...
Hehehe 😂
ML2 Distortion
ST2 Overdrive
How can you compare
Try ultra mode in power stack it has more gain than core even mt2
The ST-2 is better.
METAL CORE IS THE SOUND IS BACK POWER STACK IS BETTER MORE BRIGHTNESS
Metal core powerfull
man one is distorsion and one is overdrive, what comparation?
Suenan a chapa...
Tune your guitar first dude
Power stack = Crispy crunch .... Metalcore = muddy muck
Do you even have ears?
Bruh, what. The powers stack quite obviously has less clarity. Not that that sort of tone is a bad thing.
Metal Core sucks!!! Power stack rules!!!
Marcelo Magalhaes I especially hate the fact that it was made to cater to Asking Alexandria type music, y'know Metalcore. Yawn!
Metal Core sounded like Ass... and not a very nice one...
Lmao
Both sound bad compared to amt , blackstar, or isp products
isaac thrash I love AMT and Blackstar stuff!
That amt ss30 bulava is something I want more than sustenance lol