Starting-point EQ for djent / progressive metal tone, averaged from 41 famous djent / progressive metal recordings. Dial these in, then fine-tune by ear — or let the tool below adapt them to the exact amp and guitar you own.
De Oppresso Liber — Five Finger Death Punch · Concealing Fate Part 1 — TesseracT · Scarlet — Periphery · Sepsis — Lamb of God · Echo Sonata — ERRA · Caramel — Sleep Token · Emergence — Sleep Token · Metropolis Pt 1 — Dream Theater
Averaged across 41 famous djent / progressive metal recordings: gain 6, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10). Djent is about a TIGHT, controlled low end on an extended-range (7/8-string) or low-tuned guitar — pull the bass back (3–4) so the low string stays defined, keep mids present (5–6), and gate it hard for the machine-precise, staccato chugs. Clarity over saturation.
Start with gain 6, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (all out of 10), then fine-tune by ear. Lower the gain for cleaner passages, and push the mids up if the guitar disappears in a band mix.
The amps most used across these djent / progressive metal tones are Peavey 5150, Mesa Dual Rectifier, Mesa Mark. You don’t need the exact amp, though — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials any djent / progressive metal tone for the amp and guitar you already own, free in the browser.
Set the starting EQ above, then let GuitarToneAdapt compensate for your specific amp, guitar and pedals so it sits like the record — no new gear needed.