Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I Bought the Cheapest Metal Pedal on AliExpress (It's Actually Insane) | Sonic Canvas
The VSSN metal pedal is a no-name distortion unit pulled from AliExpress that promises heavy, aggressive tones at almost zero cost. In this video, I run it through a full real-world tone test using the Quad Cortex into a Mesa Lonestar and a 5150 amp simulation to find out whether this cheap metal pedal actually delivers usable heavy tones — or whether it belongs in the trash.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro & first impressions
0:33 Controls and setup overview
1:26 Initial tone test — noon settings
2:04 Gain and distortion sweep
3:18 EQ exploration — treble, mid, and bass
5:41 Boost and top boost test
8:31 Extreme tones — how nasty can it get?
10:00 5150 amp platform test
11:18 Final verdict
WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS VIDEO
First impressions: build quality, form factor, dual output on a tiny AliExpress pedal
Full EQ exploration: how much range does a budget metal pedal like this actually have?
Top Boost test: is it independent or tied to the main circuit?
Comparison across two amp platforms: Mesa Lonestar vs 5150 on the Quad Cortex
Honest take on whether any of these tones are usable for real heavy and metal playing
IS IT WORTH IT?
The VSSN is a novelty, not a workhorse. It delivers an extreme EQ range and a boost that genuinely reshapes its character — so if you want a cheap distortion pedal for chaotic or experimental heavy tones, there is something here. But if you need a reliable metal distortion pedal for recordings or live use, look at something purpose-built. This is strictly for the curious. Budget metal pedal experimenters and AliExpress gear hunters will get the most out of it.
🛒 GET THE GEAR (affiliate links — supports the channel at no extra cost to you):
👉 Thomann: thmn.to/thocf/ikeb0qovqq (affiliate link)
🌍 Amazon → amzn.to/4cDh9Kk (affiliate link)
▶ Gear & accessories I use in most demos:
⚙️ Quad Cortex: thmn.to/thocf/se0fz40vpj
🎵 Strings: thmn.to/thocf/uvvxaj8dc9
🔌 Instrument cable: thmn.to/thocf/vbige2fdl1
🔗 Patch cables: thmn.to/thocf/v966xl6c3u
🎸 Guitar picks: thmn.to/thocf/x5vylmo2dm
⚡ Pedalboard power supply: thmn.to/thocf/9fadwf7br0
🪑 Guitar accessories: thmn.to/thocf/jij2eywplc
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/_sonic_canvas_
🎥 More demos every week – subscribe if this was helpful
I Bought the Cheapest Metal Pedal on AliExpress (It's Actually Insane) | Sonic Canvas
The VSSN metal pedal is a no-name distortion unit pulled from AliExpress that promises heavy, aggressive tones at almost zero cost. In this video, I run it through a full real-world tone test using the Quad Cortex into a Mesa Lonestar and a 5150 amp simulation to find out whether this cheap metal pedal actually delivers usable heavy tones — or whether it belongs in the trash.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro & first impressions
0:33 Controls and setup overview
1:26 Initial tone test — noon settings
2:04 Gain and distortion sweep
3:18 EQ exploration — treble, mid, and bass
5:41 Boost and top boost test
8:31 Extreme tones — how nasty can it get?
10:00 5150 amp platform test
11:18 Final verdict
WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS VIDEO
First impressions: build quality, form factor, dual output on a tiny AliExpress pedal
Full EQ exploration: how much range does a budget metal pedal like this actually have?
Top Boost test: is it independent or tied to the main circuit?
Comparison across two amp platforms: Mesa Lonestar vs 5150 on the Quad Cortex
Honest take on whether any of these tones are usable for real heavy and metal playing
IS IT WORTH IT?
The VSSN is a novelty, not a workhorse. It delivers an extreme EQ range and a boost that genuinely reshapes its character — so if you want a cheap distortion pedal for chaotic or experimental heavy tones, there is something here. But if you need a reliable metal distortion pedal for recordings or live use, look at something purpose-built. This is strictly for the curious. Budget metal pedal experimenters and AliExpress gear hunters will get the most out of it.
🛒 GET THE GEAR (affiliate links — supports the channel at no extra cost to you):
👉 Thomann: thmn.to/thocf/ikeb0qovqq (affiliate link)
🌍 Amazon → amzn.to/4cDh9Kk (affiliate link)
▶ Gear & accessories I use in most demos:
⚙️ Quad Cortex: thmn.to/thocf/se0fz40vpj
🎵 Strings: thmn.to/thocf/uvvxaj8dc9
🔌 Instrument cable: thmn.to/thocf/vbige2fdl1
🔗 Patch cables: thmn.to/thocf/v966xl6c3u
🎸 Guitar picks: thmn.to/thocf/x5vylmo2dm
⚡ Pedalboard power supply: thmn.to/thocf/9fadwf7br0
🪑 Guitar accessories: thmn.to/thocf/jij2eywplc
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/_sonic_canvas_
🎥 More demos every week – subscribe if this was helpful
