Smash Box is just the "cool" name that the manufacturers came up with to market and sell the thing. Low end will be your Bass tones and High end will be your treble tones. The smash box isn't bad. For metal (which I don't play a lot of) I prefer the Metal Zone pedal made by Boss. You could probably get a good price on one used or on eBay. As far as settings go...try and play with different things and see what you like. I usually like the have a little more Bass in my sound than Trebles. Good luck!