Looking for a cheap pedal for metal and you’re thinking about getting the Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion? You’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review I’m going to take a very close look on this budget distortion pedal. It’s very popular, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion is a pretty good sounding distortion pedal. It’s not perfect, but considering how inexpensive it is, it’s definitely worth every cent.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the HD300 so good and so popular among the players all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specs of that pedal. Additionally, we’ll investigate the main pros and cons of that effect. Of course, there will be a few video reviews included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion is a budget distortion pedal which exceeds all the expectations. It’s one of the most popular pedals of this type that are manufactured by this brand and its loved by guitarists all around the world!
What makes it so special? Well, it gives you access to the aggressive, bottom-heavy distortion. The pedal features five individual controls: Level, Tone, Distortion, Bottom and Gain Boost. As you can imagine, that gives you a lot of opportunities when it comes to shaping your distorted tone.
The HD300 features a simple construction made of plastic. It’s not the most durable pedal in the world, but it should last you for several years to come. Of course, you’ll have to take care of it – it’s not made of metal.
Overall, this is a fantastic guitar pedal. I’m not surprised that so many guitarists love that model. Although it’s cheap, it can definitely compete with much more expensive pedals made by other brands.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is The HD300 For?
Behringer HD300 is suitable for guitarists of all levels. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter if you’re a complete beginner or a more intermediate guitar player – you will definitely appreciate the quality of that pedal. Especially when you think of its price!
However, the HD300 Heavy Distortion is a particularly good choice for anyone who’s looking for their first distortion pedal.
This is a great piece of gear for any metalhead who’d like to get access to a heavily distorted tone. Perhaps it’s not the best effect of this type in the world, but it gets the job done and it’s more than enough to practice at home and rehearse with your band.
What’s important, it’s not only designed for metal – it’s also great for rock, hard rock, alternative rock grunge and punk. This is a really versatile pedal, so I’m sure that a lot of you will benefit from adding it to your signal chain.
It is also a perfect choice for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much money on new gear. As I mentioned before, this is one of the cheapest distortion pedals available on the market. Finding something better at this price level will be a really difficult task!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Better Than BOSS MD-2?
As you’re probably aware, BOSS is an absolute leader when it comes to highly effective and versatile guitar pedals. One of their models – Mega Distortion – competes directly with Behringer HD300. It’s more expensive, but is it actually better?
Well, it’s really difficult to clearly determine which pedal wins that battle. It seems that BOSS MD-2 sounds a bit better, but the HD300 is still great option and it’s much cheaper.
I compared both of these pedals in a guitar shop the other day and I was amazed of how similar they sound. If your budget is really high, go with the MD-2 – it’s made of better materials and it’s most durable. But if you’re looking for the best value for the money, choose the Behringer HD300.
Here’s a great video that compares both of these effects – I highly recommend checking it out!
Better Alternatives
If you are not satisfied with the sound of Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion and you want to get something better, that’s not a problem! The market is full of other great pedals of this type. Of course, it all depends on what exactly you’re searching for and how much are you willing to spend on it.
Here’s a few more recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Fender Pugilist Distortion. This is a fantastic dual overdrive and distortion pedal which exceeds all the expectations. It’s basically like having two separate effects in one box. As you can imagine, it’s extremely versatile. I’m sure that guitarists of all genres will really enjoy using that piece of gear!
If you’re searching for something not as aggressive as HD300, perhaps choosing a regular tube screamer will be a better choice. If that sounds appealing to you, make sure to check out the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer. This is one of the most popular overdrive pedals of all time. It was popularized by Stevie Ray Vaughan, so it’s definitely a killer pedal!
Alternatively, you can also check out my article about 8 Best Distortion Pedals Under $100. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll definitely find your next distortion pedal on that list. All of these models are awesome!
However, when it comes to really cheap distortion pedals, Behrininger HD300 is an absolute winner. It’s really tough to compete with that effect. That’s for sure!
FAQ
Where is the HD300 pedal made?
Behringer HD300 Heavy Distortion is manufactured in China, just like all other pedals made by this brand.
Where can I find the manual to HD300 pedal?
The manual to HD300 Heavy Distortion can be found here.
Where can I find out more about Behringer pedals?
If you want to learn more about Behringer pedals, make sure to visit their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Behringer HD300 is a really cool distortion pedal. Of course, you can’t expect it to be the best effect of this type in the world – there are a lot better pedals out there. However, when it comes to cheap pedals, it will be really tough to find something better than this model. That’s for sure!
What do you think of that effect? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts about it!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you’re looking for more pedal recommendations, you may also like:
