Know any good pedals?

[Kakarot]

I need some help with something. Basically I've always just used the amp distortion for shows and recording but it comes out a little fuzzy and lead guitar sounds lame. Anyway, can anyone recommend a good pedal(s) to get a smooth distortion sound that records well also. It's very important that it sounds good recorded too because I used an effects thing on our 1st recording and it sucked that's why I've only used the amp sound since. If any of you know any black metal bands like Arch Enemy or Cradle of filth, even though I don't play that kind of style, I like their guitar sound so if yo can help me get a sound a little like that, it would be cool. Thanks guys

[Tele Master]

Do you want distortion, overdrive or fuzz? All can be achieved with any overdrive pedal.

For distortion, lots of tone and gain
For fuzz, drop the tone and crank the gain
for overdrive, tone just after middle, gain at about 3 o'clock, then adjust the level.

I do this with my Tubescreamer and Blues Driver.

[The Ace]

Use an amp modeling pedal like the RP series by Digitech... then use your amp to clean boost it, so it won't sound lame, or fuzzy....

[Hammurabi]

If you're buying digitech it might be better to look into the X-series, like the Hot Rod or Metal Masher (depending on your tastes).

[ketsueki15]

If you have some money then you can look into buyin a DigiTech GNX3..they are sorta pricey but i got one...Theres endless amounts of things you can do with it..
Oh yeah and Arch enemy are Melodic metal i believe

[Hammurabi]

GNX3 is a good idea if you're going to be recording yourself play.

[Dr_simon]

I have a recording setup so I went for a GNX2, it is very cool !

I use the S/P DIF out to go directly into either a sound-card or a Korg D1200

[Kakarot]

tHanks for the suggestions. Can you believe this is the first time in almost 10 years that i've looked into effects and stuff.

[PonyOne]

That's a good thing; you probably know how to make a guitar sound better on its own than a lot of the people who buy a DOD with their first guitar and amp.

I have a Boss Blues Driver that sounds nice and vintagey, it's pretty smooth.

[noelgalleger]

What you need is the "Mudhoney" made by T-rex. Danish compakny. It is the best dist. pedal i´ve ever heard. It ranges from a gentle overdrive thing to that crazy sounding fuzz/stack tihing. Like your guitar it has a tone control, so that it ranges also from dark to bright. Check it out, it is the best! The bulesdriver would'nt be a bad choice either!

http://www.t-rex-eng.com/