Tone library / Chris Christodoulou / They Might as Well Be Dead

They Might as Well Be Dead amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI

The Chris Christodoulou guitar tone for “They Might as Well Be Dead”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark MINI with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Risk of Rain 2: Survivors of the Void (2022) — heavy climax riff at ~2:55

Original rig

High-gain amp model (5150/Rectifier style) + 6/7-string humbucker guitar + stereo delay/reverb in DAW

Aggressive, saturated modern progressive metal rhythm with tight low end and punchy upper mids
Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI
CHANNELTreadplate (Mesa Dual Rectifier model)BRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 7 BASS 6 MID 6 TREBLE 7 REVERB 2 MASTER 7
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass6
Mid6
Treble7
Reverb2
Master7
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Onboard Noise Gate block

Essential to keep palm-muted chugs tight

Threshold 6 · Decay 3

02Onboard Overdrive block (Tube Drive)

Clean boost in front of Treadplate amp model to tighten low end

Drive 0 · Tone 7 · Level 8
Why these settings

The Spark MINI's Treadplate model recreates the crushing modern high-gain tone of the track's climax; presence is omitted as the MINI panel lacks this physical/primary EQ control. The Ibanez GRG170DX bridge humbucker pushes the amp model nicely, so the onboard OD block is run strictly as a tight clean boost (zero drive, high level) to prevent low-end flub. Ambient intro/verse: roll guitar volume down to 4-5 and switch to neck pickup.

PRO TIPDig in with hard, precise downpicking on the low-register riffs right near the bridge to maximize the percussive attack heard in the mix.

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

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