Arion MMP-1 Metal Plus Pedal

Typical 3 knob distortion pedal. Level, tone, and drive.

I use this pedal into the low input of a Marshall JCM800 2204 via a Peavey Wolgang or LP.
This pedal has a british type of midrange that has a smooth classic crunch. Sorry, no metal distortion in this pedal. I use an EQ pedal behind it in the chain to give a little lowend and low mid boost and it's just right. Another reviewer suspects that this pedal might share a lot of the same components as Ibanez or Boss. I think this could very well be as I was expecting a very cheesy type of distortion instead its vary warm and smooth with just the right edge as long as you keep the tone knob below 9 O'clock.

I always carry back up amps, pedals, and guitars. This pedal is plastic and I don't trust it to far. Seems to be holding up good so far. I give this category a 5 cause of the plastic case.

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I play mostly 70's and 80's style of rock/hardrock and occasionally some newer stuff and this pedal sounds sweet for that type of stuff. The name "metalplus" is misleading as its really only a classic gain pedal. I'm currently looking for another to have as a backup as it seems cheaply made. I've compared this to a Boss DS-1 and a Marshall Jackhammer and the Arion is much smoother and responds to playing nuances much better than any of my other pedals. I wish it had a more sturdy construction and true bypass though.

Its got 3 knobs, couldnt be simpler to use.

Only a slight loss of highs when in bypass mode, as to be expected with anything other than true bypass pedals.
FORGET ABOUT THE NAME ON THE COVER, "METAL PLUS". This pedal (IMHO) has nothing to do with a metal sound, its much more a distortion/fuzz type sound, lots of mids. For guitar, think "reeling in the years" solo by Steely Dan. There's probably a host of other pedals out there that can get this sound. However, I submitted this review because I really like the way it sounds on bass guitar. I plugged in a '71 P-bass with EMG and it was Larry Graham doin' the Jam!!! A very vocal-y sounding distortion on bass, a bit like CLiff Burton's "anesthesia" solo, although he was using a wah on that. Only problem is that I recommend A/B'ing the box because it takes a bite out of the bass tone when in bypass mode.

Arion stuff is built cheaply, plastic case, only thing metal is the jacks. Notorious for losing the battery cover after a gig or two.
But my experience is these little, simple Jap pedals are built Tonka tough. For the price, you can afford to break it.

Not unless you speak Japanese.
Interesting note, this pedal was New Old Stock. When I opened it up, the factory included battery was a ROLAND 9v battery. Wouldnt be surprised if the chips inside came from Roland stock too.

Excellent for fuzzed-out bass guitar . You absolutely will NOT sound like James Hetfield through this pedal. If youre not a tone freak, like me, it cant be beat for the money. Most people dont realize that half of the chips inside these things come from the same factories that make Ibanez, Roland, etc.