Starting-point EQ for metal tone, averaged from 331 famous 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.
Like Light to the Flies — Trivium · Revolution Is My Name (Radio Edit) [2020 Remaster] — Pantera · Master of Puppets — Metallica · In Dying Days — As Blood Runs Black · Duality — Slipknot · Epidemic of Hate — Dying Fetus · Cemetery Gates — Pantera · Praise the Lord (Opium of the Masses) — Dying Fetus
Averaged across 331 famous metal recordings: gain 7.5, bass 5.5, mid 5, treble 7, presence 6 (out of 10). The #1 mistake is scooping the mids to zero — it sounds huge alone and vanishes in a band mix. Keep mids around 4–5 and let treble do the cut.
Start with gain 7.5, bass 5.5, mid 5, treble 7, presence 6 (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 metal tones are Mesa Dual Rectifier, Marshall JCM800, Peavey 5150. You don’t need the exact amp, though — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials any 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.