Maxon SM-9 Pro+

A Distortion Inspired by a Late 70s Classic

The SM9Pro+ is built around the core of the Maxon SM9, a widely used reference pedal from the late 1970s. It embodies the "raw and effective" philosophy: a pronounced distortion designed to push the amp and craft an immediately recognizable sound, with prominent highs and deliberately scooped mids. While some vintage distortions remain versatile, the SM9Pro+ embraces a more direct character, oriented toward modern metal and hard rock textures, while preserving the organic and responsive feel that makes circuits inspired by that era so charming.

Who Is the SM9Pro+ For, and Which Styles Does It Excel In?

The SM9Pro+ is aimed at guitarists seeking a dense, incisive, and clear tone without spending hours stacking pedals. It excels in music where the attack must stay sharp despite high gain: metal, hard rock, muscular alternative rock, and all variants requiring "tight" rhythms.

In Drop D tuning, the EQ behavior is a real asset: you can maintain the weight of the low strings while carving out the necessary space for bass and kick drum. In a live context, the SM9Pro+ helps achieve a tone that cuts through the mix. In the studio, it becomes a sculpting tool: adjusting scooping and brightness to position the guitar exactly where it needs to be, whether on double-tracked rhythms or a lead that must "stand out" without increasing volume.

Scoop and Edge Controls: Sculpt Your "V" with Precision

The heart of the SM9Pro+ lies in two controls designed for modern metal: Scoop and Edge. The Scoop control allows you to shift the scooped frequency range : instead of a fixed mid scoop, you choose whether the "dip" is in the low frequencies or moves up toward the highs. The result: you tailor the pedal to your guitar, pickups, amp, and band mix without losing its aggressive character.

The Edge control serves to accentuate the high frequencies for added bite. It's ideal for restoring definition to a low-tuned guitar, brightening a distortion that's too dark, or finely adjusting brightness to avoid excessive harshness on an already very bright amp. Combining Scoop and Edge lets you go from a very wide and massive "scooped" sound to a more focused, precise distortion that better cuts through pick attacks.

Another strong point: the SM9Pro+ operates at 9V but includes an internal switch to switch to 18V. This voltage change generally provides more headroom, a greater sense of dynamic response, and cleaner operation with less noise. In short: at 9V you get a tighter grain and more immediate response; at 18V you gain amplitude and comfort, especially if you play loudly, use high-output pickups, or perform on stage where silence between notes matters.

The Sound Signature

The SM9Pro+'s sonic signature is clearly metal-oriented : scooped mids to free up space, emphasized highs to highlight pick attack, and an overall sharpness perfect for fast riffs, alternate picking, and palm mutes. The low end remains usable, helping maintain a solid foundation in dropped tunings, provided you adjust the Scoop wisely according to your amp.

In playing, the pedal is responsive: it highlights right-hand precision and is less forgiving of "soft" attacks, which is a real advantage for modern styles. If you're looking for a transparent distortion, this isn't its goal: the SM9Pro+ is a pedal that imprints a color and embraces a sculpted sound ready to fit into a dense mix. Used in front of a clean channel, it can serve as the foundation for a full high-gain tone; in front of an already saturated amp, it can also function as a shaping tool to tighten attack and reposition EQ.

Technical specifications

Effects	Distortion / Overdrive / Fuzz, Distortion	Type	sector
Format	Pedal	Use	electric guitar
EQ	Yes	Color	Blue

Guitar effect pedal	high-gain distortion	Internal 18V switch	more dynamics and reduced noise
Voicing	metal (accentuated highs, scooped mids)	Power supply	not included
Scoop	shifts the scooped frequency range from lows to highs	Required power	9V DC
Edge	boosts high frequencies	Internal option	18V DC
Operation	9V