Dinosaur DUM-1 Ultra Metal distortion (aka Aria Pro II UM-1 aka Boss HM-2) - 1990s - 300 epochs

The Dinosaur DUM-1 Ultra Metal is a high-gain distortion pedal designed for guitar, equivalent to the classic Aria Pro II UM-1 and the legendary Boss HM-2. It delivers the same aggressive, saturated distortion that defined the “Swedish death metal” tone, with dual-gain circuitry, heavy mid-scoop character, and razor-sharp high-end bite. Its simple layout belies its power: the pedal is extremely touch-sensitive, responding dynamically to picking and guitar volume, while producing that instantly recognizable chug and grind that made its counterparts iconic. For the capture, I set all knobs to 7, creating a full-throttle, crushing distortion that’s tight, saturated, and harmonically rich. Every note cuts through the mix with clarity while retaining that classic metallic bite. The pedal’s character is relentless yet controllable, making it a great tool for both rhythm churn and searing lead tones. Direct capture through my tube preamp equipped with the NOS Brimar 12AU7 / ECC82 WA brings out the pedal’s harmonic richness and sustain, smoothing out the extreme highs while preserving the aggression and punch. The final tonal character is tight, heavy, and dynamically expressive, perfectly suited for metal riffs, aggressive leads, and all-out distorted textures