Tone library / Linkin park / One step closer

One step closer amp settings — Blackstar Studio H20

The Linkin park guitar tone for “One step closer”, dialed in for a Blackstar Studio H20 with a Harley Benton SC 450 Plus. 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, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (boost), Drop C# tuning

High-gain nu-metal crunch with tight low-end, scooped mids, and aggressive attack

Amp settings — Blackstar Studio H20

CHANNELOD2 (high-gain channel)BRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	7
Mid	4
Treble	6
Presence	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Joyo Sweet Baby OD

Used as a clean boost to tighten low-end before the amp, mimicking the TS9 boost role on the original recording

Drive 2 · Tone 6 · Volume 7

02ProCo RAT

OFF for this tone — the Blackstar OD2 channel provides sufficient gain. RAT would muddy the tight Rectifier-style sound

Distortion 0 · Filter 4 · Volume 5

Why these settings

The Blackstar Studio H20's OD2 channel has EL34-based British voicing versus the Rectifier's 6L6 American sag and scoop. Set ISF fully counter-clockwise (American voicing) to approximate the Rectifier's tighter, more scooped character. Your SC 450's humbuckers are lower output than D-Sonics, so gain stays at 8 rather than backing off. Mids at 4 recreates the signature nu-metal scoop without losing definition.

PRO TIPTune to Drop C# (C#-G#-C#-F#-A#-D#) as on the recording. Palm mute aggressively right at the bridge saddles for maximum tightness—Delson's attack is extremely precise and close to the bridge, which is critical for that percussive chunk.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Blackstar Studio H20. 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.