Starting-point EQ for hard rock tone, averaged from 60 famous hard rock recordings. Dial these in, then fine-tune by ear — or let the tool below adapt them to the exact amp and guitar you own.
Sound of Madness — Shinedown · Burn It to the Ground — Nickelback · I Miss the Misery — Halestorm · Love Bites (So Do I) — Halestorm · Monster — Skillet · Trenches — Pop Evil · Given Up — Linkin Park · Sunshine of Your Love — Eric Clapton
Averaged across 60 famous hard rock recordings: gain 6, bass 5.5, mid 6, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10). Hard rock wants a cranked, midrange-forward amp — gain enough to sustain, not so much it turns to mush. Presence carries the bite.
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 hard rock tones are Marshall Plexi. You don’t need the exact amp, though — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials any hard rock 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.