Tone library / LINKIN PARK / One Step Closer

One Step Closer amp settings — Blackstar HT-1

The LINKIN PARK guitar tone for “One Step Closer”, dialed in for a Blackstar HT-1 with a Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG. Studio version, Hybrid Theory (2000)

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (Modern mode), PRS CE 24 with DiMarzio D-Sonic bridge pickup, Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor, Tech 21 SansAmp PSA-1

Aggressive high-gain with tight low-end, scooped mids, and cutting upper-mid presence for nu-metal chunk

Amp settings — Blackstar HT-1

CHANNELOD1 (Overdrive 1)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	6
Mid	4
Treble	6
Reverb	0
Master	3

Don’t have a Blackstar HT-1? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Noise Gate (RECOMMENDED — not owned)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for tight palm mutes at this gain level. Boss NS-2 or TC Electronic Sentry are affordable options. Place before amp input.

Threshold 6 · Decay 2

Why these settings

The HT-1 is a small 1W amp with British voicing, whereas the original Dual Rectifier is a 100W American high-gain beast with a massive low-end and scooped character. Set ISF fully counter-clockwise (American voicing) to approximate the Rectifier's tighter, more scooped response. Your EMG-equipped Harley Benton has hotter, more compressed output than the original DiMarzio D-Sonics, so gain is set at 8 rather than maxed—this prevents mush. Mid at 4 gives the scoop without disappearing. The HT-1 lacks a dedicated presence control, so treble at 6 handles the upper-mid cut.

PRO TIPTune to Drop C# (C#-G#-C#-F#-A#-D#) and use aggressive downstroke palm muting right at the bridge saddles for maximum chunk. The HT-1's small speaker will compress quickly at volume—keep master low and rely on the preamp gain for saturation, not power amp breakup.

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These settings are for a Blackstar HT-1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.