The Marshall MG (MG15CFX, MG30CFX) is a popular solid-state practice amp with four channels — Clean, Crunch, OD1, OD2 — a shared Bass/Middle/Treble EQ, built-in reverb and digital effects, plus the FDD button. Pick the channel for your genre, then dial gain and EQ.
Pick the channel. The channel sets the gain range: <b>Clean</b> for sparkle, <b>Crunch</b> for blues and classic rock, <b>OD1</b> for hard rock, <b>OD2</b> for the highest gain and metal.
Turn on FDD. The <b>FDD</b> (Frequency Dependent Damping) button emulates the feel of a tube power amp — it opens up the response and takes the edge off the solid-state stiffness. Most players leave it on.
Clean. Clean channel. Gain low, Bass 5, Middle 6, Treble 6, add a little reverb. Warm Marshall clean.
Blues / classic rock. Crunch channel. Gain 4–5, push the Middle up to 6–7 for that classic cranked-Marshall bark, light reverb.
Rock / hard rock. OD1 channel. Gain 5–6, Bass 5, Middle 6, Treble 6, a touch of delay from the FX section.
Metal. OD2 channel. Gain 7–8, Bass 6, Middle 5, Treble 6, and use the FX/store a preset with tight timing. Keep the gain controlled so palm mutes stay defined.
💡 Leave the FDD button ON for a more open, tube-like feel, then pick the channel for your genre — Crunch for classic rock, OD2 for metal. The MG stores presets, so dial once and save.
What are the best Marshall MG settings for metal?
What are the best Marshall MG settings for metal?
Use the OD2 channel with FDD on, gain around 7–8, bass 6, middle 5, treble 6. Keep the gain controlled for tight palm mutes and store it as a preset. Crunch or OD1 suit classic and hard rock.