Death metal is a genre known for its aggressive and heavy guitar tones. Achieving the right sound for death metal requires careful attention to your amplifier settings and technique. In this article, we’ll explore how to dial in your amp settings to achieve those crushing death metal guitar tones.
1. Start with the Right Amp
Choosing the right amplifier is crucial for getting the death metal sound. Look for an amp with high gain capabilities and a powerful EQ section. Tube amplifiers are often preferred for their warmth and saturation, but modern solid-state or modeling amps can also deliver brutal tones.
2. Set the Gain and Distortion
Death metal is characterized by its extreme distortion. Start by cranking up the gain on your amp to the point where the notes sustain and feedback begins to occur. From there, fine-tune the gain to achieve the level of distortion you desire. Be prepared for a wall of heavy sound.
3. Sculpt Your EQ
The EQ settings play a significant role in shaping your death metal tone:
- Bass: Boost the bass to create a thick, powerful low end. This will give your guitar tone a crushing heaviness.
- Midrange: Scoop the mids slightly for the classic death metal scooped tone. This emphasizes the bass and treble frequencies while creating a hollow midrange.
- Treble: Crank up the treble to add brightness and clarity to your tone. This helps cut through the mix, especially in fast and intricate riffing.
4. Experiment with Resonance and Presence
If your amp has resonance and presence controls, use them to further shape your tone:
- Resonance: Adjusting this control affects the low-end response. Increasing resonance can enhance the low-end punch and tightness.
- Presence: The presence control affects the high-end frequencies. Cranking it up can add definition and aggression to your tone.
5. Use a Noise Gate
The high levels of gain in death metal can lead to unwanted noise and feedback. Consider using a noise gate pedal in your signal chain to tame these issues. Set the threshold to cut off noise when you’re not playing.
6. Fine-Tune the Pickup Selector
If your guitar has multiple pickups, experiment with different pickup combinations to find the right balance between clarity and aggression. The bridge pickup is often favored for its sharper attack, but the neck pickup can add warmth and depth to your tone.
7. Practice Your Picking Technique
Death metal guitarists often use palm muting, chugging, and fast alternate picking techniques. Practice your picking precision to achieve tight and rhythmic palm-muted chugs and speedy riffs.
8. Use a Noise Gate and Compressor
Consider adding a noise gate to your pedalboard to control unwanted noise from high gain settings. Additionally, a compressor can help even out your dynamics, ensuring that every note is articulate and well-defined, especially in fast and intricate passages.
9. Experiment with Different Tunings
Many death metal bands use lower tunings (e.g., Drop D, B Standard, or even lower). Experiment with different tunings to find the one that best suits your sound and style. Lower tunings can make your tone sound heavier and more menacing.
10. Record and Listen
Recording your death metal riffs and listening back critically is essential for refining your tone. This process allows you to identify areas for improvement and make the necessary adjustments to your amp settings and technique.
Achieving death metal guitar tones with amp settings requires a combination of the right gear, settings, and technique. Remember that creating your signature death metal tone may take time and experimentation. Embrace the process, and enjoy the journey of crafting your unique sound in the world of brutal and intense music.
