If you’re searching some pedals that can help you achieve a djent guitar tone, then you have to take 2 (and eventually 3, if you need more customisation) pedals: a distortion/overdrive and a noise gate, and the optional one is an Equalisation pedal.
In this article you’ll see some models for each of these 3 categories (if you’re searching more general info about what to have in order to have a djent sound, you can also check out the article how to get a djent tone),
DISTORTION AND OVERDRIVE DJENT PEDAL FOR DJENT METAL
TUBE SCREAMER TS9 (IBANEZ)
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The iconic TS9 Tube Screamer from Ibanez can as well be used for a djent sound: despite being a treble booster overdrive, it can be used with a mid-high setting for the “Drive” knob and then put in the pedalboard with noise gates.
Its tube-like sound is then another big factor for putting it in your own djent-pedalboard, and then with its huge versatility it will be very useful even with any other genre you’ll want to play, beyond djent (it’s also used for rock, funk and blues styles of playing).
EMMA PISDIYAUWOT
This pedal provides a tight and strong attack and an aggressive metal tone, perfect for playing a djent lead.
You can customise lots of things within the pedal’s knobs:
- level of sound;
- gain;
- controls for EQ the sound, with 3 separated knobs for low, mids and high frequencies;
- Price range: usually between 150 and 200$
You can hear a demo in the video below:
OKKO DOMINATOR BLACK
This pedal has a “twin version” (the Okko Dominator Red), but this model is more oriented towards a heavier sound and designed for a more brutal sound.
This stompbox can give you a great distortion as well as a fast attack and a strong punch for your sound, making it a good choice for djent.
It has 5 knobs, that let you change several things:
- level of sound;
- gain level;
- 3 knobs for adjusting the EQ, individually changing low, mid and high frequencies;
- price range: between 150-200$
Demo of the pedal’s sound:
EMPRESS HEAVY
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This huge pedal has a lot of features for your sound, with two voice channels with independent EQ control knobs and a general EQ too (letting you set up high and low frequencies).
This is the most customisable pedal and with a lot of options for experimentation, and you can get a great tone for lots of genres of Metal, making it a very flexible tool for your sound.
Another great thing about it is that it features a noise-gate circuit as well, and therefore it can almost be considered as a complete and almost all-in-one Djent machine for your sound.
Features:
- Two different channels (you can use one as a boost and the other for distortion, or maybe both, and then experiment with lots of possible combinations), each one with 4 knobs for “mid” frequencies, “weight”, “gain” and “output” sound level;
- 2 knobs for a general EQ with low and high frequencies;
- Integrated noise gate circuit;
- 2 footswitches for “heavy” and “heavier” mode
You can hear a demo below:
NOISE GATES DJENT PEDAL
LOW BUDGET: CALINE CP-39 THE NOISE GATE
This cheap pedal (with a price that is about 35$, check here the current price on Amazon store) is a very straightforward one and it has only the essential feature of blocking hum and noises, adjusting the filtering rate with the only knob available.
There is a switch that let you select between 2 modes: “hard” (with a more drastic cut of the frequencies, better for djent) and also a less aggressive “soft” mode, with a more nuanced fade out of the sound.
Features:
- One single knob for how much frequencies to filter;
- a switch with “soft” and “hard” mode;
- a led signaling whether it’s ON or OFF;
- True bypass pedal: when it is OFF, the signal doesn’t go through the circuits but directly from Input to Output preserving the tone;
- price range: about 50$
MEDIUM BUDGET: BOSS NS-2 (BOSS)
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A slightly more pricey stompbox is the BOSS NS-2 Noise Suppressor , that gives you more sound-customisation options and let you control more things about your djent tone.
It has a “Treshold” knob for adjusting how much to filter, as well as a “Decay” knob and a “Mode”, that let you choose between “Reduction” and “Mute”.
Features:
- Treshold, Decay and Mode (with either “Reduction” or “Mute” mode) knobs;
- Led lights signaling whether the Mute and Reduction modes are ON;
- This pedal is very durable and the material is high-quality (as always with Boss’s pedals);
- Price: usually about 100-120$
HIGHER BUDGET: ISP TECHNOLOGIES DECIMATOR PEDAL
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The ISP Decimator is another solid choice for your djent sound, giving you a great filtering (that you can adjust with the knob named “Treshold”, with a 60dB Noise reduction) and without altering the sound of the guitar, giving you a crystalline noise gate for your pedalboard.
This also stands the test of time with the metal housing and is, costruction-wise, a very durable pedal.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, then you’ll have to know that this is often designed as one of the best noise gates for djent sound.
Features:
- simple commands and a single knob for adjusting the threshold up to 60 dB;
- metal housing and solid construction, giving you a very very durable pedal;
- Transparent output, without changing the sound of your electric guitar;
- price range: 150-200$
EQ DJENT PEDALS – REFINE YOUR DJENT GUITAR SOUND
BOSS GE-7 EQUALIZER
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The Boss GE-7 Equalizer has a great and durable metal housing and a solid construction, giving you a stompbox that will last a lot of time in your pedalboard, and has 7 band EQ ranging from 100 Hz to 6.4 kHz.
You can boost or cut every band’s sound up to 12 dB, letting you shape your sound without altering the incoming tone, as it filters in a very transparent way.
If you’re looking for a great equalizer AND a durable housing, then this pedal is great for you!
Features:
- 7 Band EQ, ranging from 100 Hz to 6.4 kHz;
- Cut/boost of 12 Db;
- solid metal housing for a durable effect pedal;
- Price range: about 100-120$
HIGH BUDGET: MXR 10 BAND EQUALIZER
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If you want an extreme level of customisation over your sound’s frequencies, then you’ll also want to check this 10 MXR 10 Band EQ, that will let you shape your djent tone in an insane and very thorough way.
It has 2 outputs, for signal splitting, and it’s designed with a true bypass circuit, that will help you avoiding the background noised and the dreaded hum.
Another cool thing is the illumination of sliders, making it easy to adjust the settings even in a dark stage during gigs.
Features:
- 10 band EQ ranging from 31.25 Hz up to 16 kHz;
- Cut/boost up to 12 Db;
- Solid and very durable aluminum housing;
- Illuminated sliders for improved visibility in dark stages and rooms;
- Price range: 150-230$
CONCLUSION: BEST PEDALS FOR DJENT GUITAR TONE
Clearly, there are numerous choices for achieving a djent guitar tone, even when working with a tighter budget. However, it’s essential to emphasize that the key factor isn’t necessarily the equipment itself but rather how you fine-tune your sound, both in technique and in djent pedals choice/setup.
For crafting an ideal setup for the modern metal guitar sound, consider dialing in minimal low frequencies, a generous amount of mids, and a touch of treble (you can find more details in the linked article from the first paragraph of this page’s post).
Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that experimentation plays a significant role, as finding the perfect combination is often influenced by various factors. Different gear and amplifiers may require slightly different settings to achieve the desired djent sound.
