Tone library / Akira Yamaoka / Promise

Promise amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX

The Akira Yamaoka guitar tone for “Promise”, dialed in for a Marshall MG30CFX with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Silent Hill 2 Original Soundtrack (2001)

Original rig

Akira Yamaoka typically used clean/slightly overdriven tones with significant reverb and delay for atmospheric pieces. Promise features clean electric guitar with chorus, delay, and reverb - likely a Fender-style clean amp or direct recording with processing. Guitar appears to be a standard humbucker-equipped instrument based on the warm, full tone.

Warm, melancholic clean tone with lush ambient reverb and subtle chorus shimmer - ethereal and atmospheric with no distortion
Amp settings — Marshall MG30CFX
CHANNELCleanBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 5 MID 6 TREBLE 5 REVERB 8 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass5
Mid6
Treble5
Reverb8
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE6 VOLUME10
Why these settings

The MG30CFX Clean channel provides the pristine foundation this atmospheric track needs. Gain at 2 keeps it glassy without breakup. Mid pushed to 6 compensates for Marshall's natural scoop vs the warm direct-recorded original. The built-in digital reverb maxed at 8 approximates the lush studio reverb - this tone lives on its ambience. The original likely had dedicated chorus and delay which you lack; the neck pickup with tone rolled to 6 adds warmth to compensate.

PRO TIPPlay with your picking hand closer to the neck for a softer attack - Yamaoka's tone breathes through dynamics and space between notes, not gain. Let notes ring and decay into the reverb.

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These settings are for a Marshall MG30CFX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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