The Best of Times amp settings — Line 6 Helix Floor
The Dream Theater guitar tone for “The Best of Times”, dialed in for a Line 6 Helix Floor with a Epiphone Les Paul Studio. Studio version, Black Clouds & Silver Linings (2009) — iconic outro solo
Mesa Boogie Mark V (Channel 3 Mark IIC+ mode) + Music Man JP BFR (DiMarzio Crunch Lab/LiquiFire) + TC Electronic 2290 digital delay + studio reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 3 |
| Mid | 5 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 6 |
01Scream 808 (Helix block)
Clean boost in front of the amp block to tighten low end and focus pick attack
02Simple Delay (Helix block)
Placed post-amp block; set delay time to dotted-eighth (~480ms) to replicate the TC 2290 stereo lead spread
03Glitz (Helix block)
Post-amp hall reverb providing lush studio ambience
The Helix Cali IV Lead block nails Petrucci's Mesa Boogie lead voice; like a real Mark series amp, keep the pre-distortion bass low (around 3) to prevent flub, using the post graphic EQ to add low-end weight. The Scream 808 block acts purely as a mid-focused clean boost to replicate the tight tracking of his signature DiMarzio pickups through the Epiphone's Alnico humbuckers. The tone knob rolled off slightly to 9 softens the neck pickup's bite into that signature glassy, liquid Petrucci sustain.
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These settings are for a Line 6 Helix Floor. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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