The METALLICA Rhythm Tone! Let's NAIL This!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Owww yeah! What do you think?

[@Sentinel95629]

This sounds like a generic, but quality tone for 90s+ heavy metal rhythm guitar. If I listened to this in a vacuum, I wouldn't have thought metallica, but I can admit it vaguely resembles the black album tone.

[@JohnReynolds1337]

Nailed it

[@Durkhead]

It's sounds awesome

[@szymonk7621]

You are missing in this tone James pick. White fang gives that unique scratch in sound. Please try it. Sound is better than on album. 😊

[@kinglord5163]

Depends but compared to metallica your tone has too much bass (is too fat) and also needs more highs.

[@MegaAndyGG]

I love Metallica, but this sounds better than new Metallica album guitar sound. Also the riffs are awesome!

[@Clinthopanonymous]

Not too hard to sound better than their new album. Thats not a jab against SDS you're awesome.

[@MegaAndyGG]

@@Clinthopanonymous Yeah. I mean, you are right. It's super modern, kinda midrangey, and no balls. Very little gain. But it's weird, because their live sound is really good. Just that album sound is bad. Lifeless and compressed. However, i still love Metallica, very, very much 😊❤

[@julianmedranoa]

I would add that he should try his clean tone too.

[@jayjaymerritt2785]

​@@MegaAndyGGYou say it has very little gain, but it sounds too "compressed"...you do realize gain is compression right? It's like saying their new sound has very little gain, but too much gain. If anything it's more "open" and dynamic and not as compressed because they backed the gain down a tad. It's still heavy AF though. Enough low end to chunk but not Flub, enough mids to cut but not honk, and enough treble to sizzle but not fizz. I would not let you anywhere near my amp to dial it in😂😂 My 14 year old self would probably agree with you, but diming the gain just flushes all the bark and dynamics,pick attack/ squashing your signal down the drain. I love their older saturated "scooped" sound...back in the 80s though..when I dimed my gain, and set my mids to zero with dimed bass and treble😂😂

[@MegaAndyGG]

@@jayjaymerritt2785 Nobody cares, kid. And it's not "heavy af" Lmfao.

[@jonathanross1033]

It’s official, I don’t chase album tones anymore, I chase Sonic Drive Studio tones. Absolutely incredible! This is the best video, adding in the views from the daw was greatly appreciated!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks very much!

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

So you nailed the tone, but I like your tone/mix better than the album because its not scooped to death nor does it have Lars kick drum right in my face.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha thanks!

[@simonr344]

Lars: I want a 12db boost at 8k on the kick Engineer: What Lars: DID I STUTTER

[@yevhenfedorets6509]

This mix sounds better than the original Metallica's.

[@BorisBidjanSaberi11]

Crazy how much studio gear has dropped in price but maintained quality

[@rmTheWalrus]

Yeah… it’s kind of a great time to be an amateur or semi-pro musician (not suggesting John here isn’t a pro, just saying in general, as an amateur musician 😊). “Good stuff” is just so much more accessible than even like 10 years ago…

[@maggoking5747]

Lol

[@Boxerdogs35643]

False

[@Progmium]

Please do a ToneX capture of this dual amp setup! I don’t think anyone can match your gorgeous guitar tone, no matter what gear you put your hands on. Everything is tuned to perfection. Amazing ear man!

[@jesuislm]

I like your final tone!! You should do the same with the digital versions and compare with the real amps, like a helix, axe fx, tone x vs rea amps, but I guess will sound awesome as always!

[@JEREMIAHS_TARANTULAS]

It is my humble opinion that the Metallica tone cannot be captured unless you add kirks tone into the mix. Kirk plays alongside Hetfield for all rhythm except for the solos. You can hear that kirks guitar dominates the stage with rhythm and solos. The tone in this video is good I can’t lie, but for those who say it sounds better than 72 seasons tone your just kidding yourself. I’m a big fan of the channel so I’m not hating.

[@matthewduncan9405]

Hell yeah! I’ve been waiting for the Diezal amp blend videos 🤤. Amazing. Love to see you tackle the Marshall/Diezal Adam Jones tones!

[@Turbo-D]

the nothing but amazing mark 4 can also replicate that sound very well just by its own, so that can be an more affordable alternative if you like what you hear here👌

[@masterofreality230]

I usually go for the 2C+ on my Mark V 25 when I am trying to get a thrash metal tone, I get that you are blending in this example though. That extreme mode is the most overlooked mode on the amp I believe. Keep practicing those Hetfield "Yea"'s lol

[@greevar]

I don't care much for anything after the Black Album. They got increasingly more pop hard rock over the years.

[@_PuppetMaster86]

Go and listen to pop hard rock and then listen to their last two albums. You couldn't be more wrong.

[@michaelgibson8585]

Any chance you can make the same tone on the Helix? Seriously loving this tone man

[@gianlucatixson25]

Damn!!! You really nailed it. I'd love to see you replicate the Load/ReLoad tone as it's really unique and thick and has been a question in my mind for years. Props to ya!

[@petaralargic]

This x 100000

[@davemarriott9332]

Dammit Bro....That first track you did is SICK...Love it.!!

[@Soloist1983]

Sounds pretty fantastic! Also, ideas for other reviews :) - ENGL Artist Edition - Myasnikov Preamps (maybe the IIC+ or Super Lead pre's)

[@SonicDriveStudio]

ENGL stuff coming soon!

[@LonelyRocker]

Great video!! Really enjoyed seeing under the hood into your post processing. I know a lot of your videos are done without processing but this shares a real world example. Very interesting and helpful!

[@TheSonic1685]

What's so incredibly and utterly sad about this video is the fact that I've achieved a tone about 10x heavier utilizing 1000$ worth of equipment, and this guy is probably using 5000$+ worth.

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

Whenever a channel with a lot of amps shows a wall of amps and be like "what's your choice?" and I'm like BLENDDDDDD!!!

[@Dustinchugs]

This sounds great dude! The het set actually sounded awesome in this context.

[@vaughantennant6710]

God damn that VH2 sounds insane 😍

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Certainly!

[@SeanGoBoom]

Why'd you take down your review of the Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier you have linked in the description? I was hoping to watch it.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/joXUfGepittjgZIsi=eZPcAKjIdCaW1bXc

[@zool84]

Latest Metallica tone nailed. Early one needs a completely new video for itself.

[@Jason_wpok25158]

Nice tones, but I would have used the Mark IV mode instead of the Extreme. The extreme has less gain and a ton of low end. You should be using the Diezel to give you the low end while the Mark V fills in the middle and higher notes. Just my opinion which isn't perfect.

[@serdar213]

Actually I love ADA MP1 Equipped Metallica rather than the tones starting from Death Magnetic.

[@Ibanezrgplayer00]

Sounds great af! but I dont think any tone amp combo would beat the garage inc. emg81 rectifer tone. ughhhh

[@andyjm7122]

I think the Mesa on it's own sounded best. I read that the new album was mostly a blend of the Mesa mk2c+ and the modded Marshall.

[@Pea-g1q]

Any metal ultra distortion pedal +equaliser pedal for his heavy sound; and any chorus pedal for the clean sound -simples 🎉 And turn em way up til ya can't hear the bass 😆

[@drrodopszin]

Luckily I've got decent emulations for these amps. Can't wait to try it out.

[@AlexisGitarre]

Unfortunately all the Metallica Amps were heavily modified. I had the chance to talk to one of a Mesa Boogie employees (he worked for them for 25 years). The only thing that was stock was the housing and front. inside there were many parts changed, some of the amps had twice the power of the normal sales units. Multiple transformers and so on. So if you think you just need to buy the stock amp... it doesn't work. It sounds close, yes. It sounds very close? Yes. But does it nail the original ones? Nope. So don't hate me for that, it's pure first hand information. Not everything is like companies claim it is. And by the way, I do own a Mark IV first generation (REV A) and a rare Diezel VH4S with the turquoise front panel and I'm more than happy with those two.

[@DM-rc4yu]

You did a good job of sort of matching the tone but I'm not a fan of the tone itself. It has nothing on either the classic Metallica tones or Load/Black album. Very generic sounding.

[@ammostockpile]

Sounds incredible!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@saltan7036]

Perfecto !=) Just copied settings to my TH-U plugin. Not 100% same but near ! Thank you !

[@MartinEgl-v4v]

John you are the BEAST !!! Every your video is awesome for me... Sounds, music performing, technical things about amps and comparsions. Perfect work. Thank you a lot

[@jvm30]

Thank you for this video! Been trying to get close to the 72S tone since it came out, and this video has definitely gotten me as close as I've come yet 🙌🏻

[@jvm30]

Can you make a video for Metallicas Live Tone? I need it ❤

[@phantasma669]

Man your tone is better than metallica's:P Maybe they should hire you for their next album

[@julianmedranoa]

You should try to replicate in a Fractal FM9 or FX3.

[@DM-tn7je]

Bedroom guitarist here. What do you use for drums?

[@kursatkaya8158]

Wish Metallica had those riffs in 72 Seasons..

[@VCR86]

Great tones and riffs. Death Magnetic is a great album.

[@heavymetal9330]

Great 🤘

[@metallaholic]

ooooo. yea-eah. show meh-uh

[@drrodopszin]

I usually use MAutoAlign by Melda for quickly phase aligning the guitars. The new IR loader Cabinetron has a feature for auto phasing different IRs which is super useful.

[@AndresPrass]

"yeaaah" 😂

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Couldn't help it... ;)

[@redeyeddogproductions4222]

You should try the black album hetfield tone, it's pretty damn difficult

[@metalpuppet5798]

Well...its impossible if you dont record 8 tracks on the left and 8 on the right like they apparently did for that album lol

[@redeyeddogproductions4222]

Your not wrong lol, you can get pretty close with a parametric eq. I'm working towards the black album tour hetfield tone

[@jayjaymerritt2785]

It isn't that difficult, I get 97% there with a mesa mk4 or my 2c++ , a preamp EQ, post, and parametric, and if I really need it, a tone match block from the isolated guitar tracks. Any Trad mesa 4x12 with an sm57 and 121 or 421 ribbon mic gets you close as hell. As far as quad tracking, I don't care, I'm a bedroom player. Once you hear that "plink plink chunk" in the palm mutes, you know your nearly there. If I REALLY want to nerd out, I'll run a JCM 800 in parallel with the mk4 with mids around 6, to counter the V scoop on my Mk4.

[@redeyeddogproductions4222]

With those amps you are guaranteed to get those tones, I have a mark V 90 watt head so the pots are a little different and the mkiic setting is a little subdued compared to the actual amp

[@Jason_wpok25158]

@@jayjaymerritt2785 I mixed my Mark IIc+ with my JCM 800 2204 and it was very close to the Black Album sound. I also subed the 800 for a Diezel Herbert and got a really BIG sound. This latest album supposedlly used the IIc++ along with a restored Jose modded Marshall. I'm sure there were many other amps used too.

[@Boomheyyou]

Nice oh yeah

[@Arthur1SD]

Try recording quadro. The first pair in Diezel, the second in Mesa. So there will be no phase cancelling. Diezel also goes well with other amplifiers: Bogner (Uberschall - Avenged Sevenfold tone or Ecstasy), Park (Three Days Grace tone), ENGL Powerball (great for massive 8 string)

[@AdamYoudell]

James tone on this last record is pretty good, freakin overproduced drum sound ruins it for me

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I don't mind the drums myself but there are some weird edit glitches here and there

[@AdamYoudell]

I wish they'd go back to the drum sound they got on Load/Reload

[@metalpuppet5798]

​@@AdamYoudell to me modern more produced "perfect" drum sounds will always fit those really tight but still fat sounding guitars the best. Personal preference though

[@billzade8158]

So ever since I ran across one a few years ago, I was really hoping someone would see just how close they could get to a Metallica drive tone using just a Mesa Boogie Stilletto. The Stilletto series was Mesa Boogie's take on a hot rodded Marshall JCM and has a unique tone of it's own. I've played it several times now, and I think you can get really close in to what they were doing in the 90's, and sounds absolutely amazing, but I haven't been able to do a direct comparison. If you get a chance, please give this a shot?

[@sdmfvan]

Is it possible to do captures of dual amp setups with something like Tonex? Your Hetfield dual amp preset for Helix is my go to sound for metal right now but this sounds killer!

[@jikkis]

I guess I'm just old school but I prefer the Mesa isolated.

[@matheusburger6322]

THICK!

[@AdamDallas]

I love these tones, and they DO sound better than Metallica's actual tone. I've been saying for years that Metallica's tone suffered for me when they went to EMGs. I know they've been using them for decades now, but it's just too crispy and hi-fi sounding on the high end.

[@djabthrash]

Papa thrash

[@marleighmerchant4264]

Are u tuned to standard? Or 1/2 step down

[@_PuppetMaster86]

1/2 step down, AKA Eb (E flat). Same tuning Metallica uses live, although they record in E standard.

[@heyjarrod]

It’s ‘Boogie.’ Like the boogie-woogie. Not ‘buugie.’ 😂

[@MickDavies]

Are you able to share these on the ToneX cloud? Im getting mine in a few days after watching your video and Olas latest one sealed the deal.

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

Sounds a little thin and compressed… Close tho 👍

[@mivani84]

The most of us cant afford the amps you use. Do you recommend a pedal or pedals to get in the same flow? I use a platform amp d20?

[@djolestefanovic]

Jon, huge effort and great tone! But, playing... That's the essence that makes all these great. Great control of the proper palm muting and timing. I would like to hear comparison of "chugging" techniques over those few high gain amps.

[@Tomario]

not a fan of their newer tones, it's been for a long time a dead flat tone since death magnetic

[@julianmedranoa]

Simply amazing as always, very accurate and I think better than JH tone lol. Would you try his clean tone too?

[@AlexPolensky]

Sonically, the blended tone reminds me of Blind Guardian too! I think at least one of the guitarists uses a similar setup with active pups into a Mesa

[@vozdetrovao2009]

Man!!! What a great fuck'in tone!!! Congrats!!!

[@marcojohnston334]

Very cool! Make a patch on axe fx 3 so i can roll with something similar lol

[@Horsti2k]

Man that's close. Please do the Hetfield clean tone!

[@ithebastardking2800]

Coole video! Je moet zeker eens de synergy stuff bekijken. Ik denk dat de syn1 een goeie toevoeging voor je studio/kanaal zou zijn. De IIcp module met een el34 power amp is 🔥

[@babtanian]

It sounds great! I'm enjoying 72 Seasons quite a bit and have done a couple jam-alongs on my channel. For my tone, I went direct in with my Mark VII on channel 2 with the Mark II setting, then blended that with a Mesa Dual Rectifier and a Diezel in Amplitube, which was a pretty sweet match.

[@charlesrocks]

Yooooooo! Those riffs!!!!!! Papa Het would be proud!

[@JoelCSabo]

I think you nailed some Hetfield rhythm playing and his modern tone in this one. You and Euge Valovirta have me wanting a VH2 but I'll settle for my VH4 preamp pedal into my little Marshall. Stay fun.

[@lawoftheriff7044]

Nice, as always dude. Papa Het would be proud. i guess..;) nice riff man!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! :)

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Absolutely skull crushing tone, you beautiful specimen!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha thanks!

[@JEREMIAHS_TARANTULAS]

There is a scammer using your name and profile picture to trick people into paying delivery charges for a giveaway from you. He’s pretty good but he didn’t get me.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks for bringing that to my attention. It happens quite often I'm afraid...

[@muurimc]

Holymoly this sounds good and TIGHT

[@ianbooth4010]

Tight as a dolphin’s butt 😂 Awesome sound 👊🤘

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Haha cheers

[@TheMasamir]

Man! Every time I convince myself that I don't need another amp, you come up with a new video. That's it I will unsubscribe! Only kidding :) I love Metallica's tones since Load, I really think that the Diezel mixed with other amps like a mesa or a marshall sounds huge (like with Tool). Now do a video and compare The engl Savage to the Diezel VH2.......Pleeeeeeeease! I know they are different but I have them both on my wish list and I really can't decide which to get first.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Those amps are VERY different but I'm sure I'll feature them in some type of comparison at some point...

[@PoyoNyon]

Love the tone, i tried the diezel setting on a vh4-2 pedal and that was an amazing experience. Thank you for the video!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Those are great pedals! I should get one again... sold one some years ago

[@progrocker84]

I routinely blend a boosted Mark V (IIC+ mode with EQ bump at the high end) with a boosted Diezel Herbert. Sounds massive! An Orange Rockerverb 100 MkIII will be joining the duo next week -- I'm stoked!!

[@mvyper]

I have a Mark V and putting an EQ in the loop to scoop the sound a little more gives a really interesting sound.

[@ianlahaye9476]

Absolutely monstrous, mijn vriend! Its amazing how well these amps play together. Tones from around the world into one chunky Thing that SHOULD be. The only way to be the Hero of the Day is to Fight Fire With Fire! Would you consider doing first or second era Met tones in the future? Youve got the Marshalls. OOOOH YEAHHHHHHH.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Ohhh yeah! Good idea ;)

[@adamfigueroa1875]

Good morning John! The time has come where I feel compelled to leave a comment on one of your vids. Your content is top notch. Very articulate and easy to understand. But I don't come for only the hear reviews, but the killer riffs. Awesome, job.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@basspartout]

Awesome!!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yeah!

[@ozgurovec]

I want to see a one song, one amp video with this fcking diezel amp! 🤘

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Soon!

[@techdeathhippie6319]

I like your 8 string riffs best

[@ginobambino5265]

You get this sickest tones man!

[@Ben_Horne]

Killer tone!!!!

[@mivani84]

Nice, hier had ik op gewacht 🤘

[@Durkhead]

I think lars drumming really ruined the new album for me it was monotonous and annoying also some of the lyrics sounded dumb but the mix you made was really good 👍

[@metalpuppet5798]

Lars' simple drumming is exactly what Metallica needs to me. There is no other drummer for this band other than Lars. He fits right in because Hetfield, as he has said many times himself, kind of "plays drums on guitar" with his really percussive intricate style. A simpler beat will always and forever fit better over James' style of riffing to me. Of course he still has his busier parts which he also executes perfectly imo

[@Durkhead]

@Metal Puppet well to me it sounds like sleigh bells are ringing through the entire album I'm not asking for meshugha but maybe stop hitting the open high hat for a dang min

[@andybecker5001]

Awesome tone

[@serenitybroken]

Totally, i mean, really totally spot on dude! Congrats! You are by far the most enjoyable thing on my youtube list. Thanks for your hard work putting in these videos! Pure joy! 🙏

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks a lot!

[@BecomingProductions]

Absolutely. Nailed. It!! Great job as always dude.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@peevee605]

Sounds amazing.

[@mickeybarajas4865]

Bad ass !

[@bradhill935]

awesum!

[@Arufured0]

Sweet tone!

[@gerrydaly5409]

Fantastic tones

[@Nitrav.]

You nailed it Jon. Awesome video 🎉as always

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thank you!

[@rnhtube]

Damn that shit sounds perfect

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Awesome, thanks!

[@Hoscitt]

Het's core sound on this album is a Marshall isn't it? There's an interview with Greg that says that

[@SonicDriveStudio]

The Boogie MKIIC++ is the core amp on all the songs. For the fast songs they blended in the Marshall, for the slower songs the Vh4

[@stormdami]

Het's live 72s sound comes now from Fractal (indeed it is said to be blended Mesa with Diezel) + Mesa Tri Axis + unknown stuff. There is youtube video showing it.

[@martincockburn6821]

Not bad.... Sounds good but doesn't have that Jose modded Marshall tone

[@SonicDriveStudio]

They used that on the faster songs. Slower songs are still VH4. I don't hear a big difference though

[@martincockburn6821]

@@SonicDriveStudio just a different kind of attack on the Metallica album. I'd be curious to hear the diezel with a Marshall... I reckon that would sound mint 🤘