Ibanez Super Metal Smmini

A modernized Super Metal, tailored for the MINI range

The Super Metal Mini (SMMINI) is part of the Ibanez MINI family and captures the spirit of the Super Metal in a reduced size, without sacrificing the essentials: a pronounced distortion designed to stay clear in a mix. Made in Japan, it retains the five-control ergonomics of the SM9, a layout designed to go far beyond a simple "gain + tone" setting and offer true shaping of the spectrum and attack.

The result is a pedal focused on high saturation levels, capable of covering styles from energetic modern rock to more aggressive metal, while maintaining a compact and practical format for busy setups.

For which guitarists and styles?

The SMMINI is aimed at guitarists who want a distortion pedal with a clear character, offering enough controls to tailor the sound to their amp, guitar, and tuning. It suits both intermediate players (looking to learn how to shape their tone) and advanced players seeking a compact and effective high-gain pedal.

It excels in styles demanding dense and percussive saturation: hard rock, metal, alternative rock, modern punk, and any situation where the riff needs to stay prominent. In the studio, it helps precisely dial in attack and brightness to avoid a tone that's too dark or, conversely, too abrasive. Live, its mini format and intuitive controls make it easy to place on a pedalboard without losing control.

Controls, design, and key points

Ibanez focuses here on a very "sculptable" approach: the Edge and Punch controls adjust the sense of sharpness and body, while Attack refines the response and presence of the pick attack (ideal for switching from tight palm-muting to a more open rhythm). The larger Drive knob provides immediate access to distortion amount, and Level sets the output volume to match the amp (or push the input stage if needed).

Its 100 percent analog circuit delivers rich saturation with generous harmonics and musical compression typical of distortions designed for riffs. Finally, the True Bypass ensures a clean signal when the pedal is off, favoring a short and direct signal path.

Sound

The Super Metal Mini offers distortion with a broad grain and an intentionally "huge" sound, designed to fill the space without getting lost. The controls allow going from a tight and incisive tone (useful for fast, articulated rhythms) to a thicker and massive saturation, with the low end boostable as needed. The whole remains responsive to adjustments: you can seek a more biting attack for solos or, conversely, a denser foundation to lock down a wall of guitars.

In practice, it's a distortion that thrives in contexts where the guitar needs to be front and center: heavy riffs, power chords, singing leads, and generous sustain, while keeping the ability to finely tune brightness and impact to match the amp's character.

Technical specifications

Effects	Distortion	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Blue

External power adapter	9V DC (center negative)	Voltage required	9V DC (center negative)
Current required	23 mA