Developing such a pedal was no easy task, and the Pro+ was on the drawing board for years before Maxon felt it was ready for release. Several unique “tricks” were incorporated into its design to create a pedal that is as versatile as it is merciless. Forgoing the use of conventional tone controls, the SM-9 instead features Scoop and Edge knobs to dial in the riffage. The Scoop control is a mid-band elimination filter with a range from 200 Hz – 2 KHz. This control adjusts the frequency range where the pedal’s midrange cut is centered. Once the amount of mid scoop is determined, any high-end loss can be dialed back in using the Edge control - a Hi-cut shelving filter continuously variable between 2-15 kHz. These two controls are highly interactive and work much like a parametric equalizer – Adjusting both knobs simultaneously allows the user to find the perfect mix of brutality and clarity. The SM-9’s Gain control adjusts the degree of saturation the pedal provides. This control is actually a dual-ganged pot that increases the amount of distortion while simultaneously boosting the upper midrange band up to 20 dB at 1 kHz. By boosting and cutting specific frequency bands in relation to Gain, the SM-9’s controls allow the user to sculpt brutal, beefy guitar tones that retain note clarity and definition. The Pro+ also offers switchable 9- or 18-volt operation. In Classic mode, the SM-9 runs at the incoming 9 volts DC, greatly extending battery life. Switching to stabilized 18-volt operation increases headroom, frequency range, and dynamic response of the pedal. Using the SM-9’s controls and voltage options, an almost unlimited variety of monstrous high-gain tones can be dialed in. Whether you’re a full-time metal maniac or just need the occasional “nuclear blast” without the bulk or volume of a full stack, the Maxon SM-9 Pro + Super Metal will deliver the goods.

Specs
Updated Reissue of 1980’s Super Metal
High-gain circuit for Metal Guitar tones
Scooped-Mid tones without loss of note clarity
Gain knob controls gain and boosts upper mids simultaneously
Scoop control changes center frequency of mid-scoop
9-volt or 18-volt regulated operation (switchable)
True Bypass Switching