Tone library / Linkin Park / The emptiness machine

The emptiness machine amp settings — Marshall MG15G

The Linkin Park guitar tone for “The emptiness machine”, dialed in for a Marshall MG15G with a Jackson JS11. Studio version, From Zero (2024)

Original rig

PRS Custom 24 with 85/15 humbuckers → Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (likely) or Hiwatt DR103 → delay/reverb. Brad Delson's modern LP tone uses tight high-gain with balanced mids.

Tight modern rock distortion, focused mids, clear articulation, controlled low-end, present but not harsh highs
Amp settings — Marshall MG15G
CHANNELOverdrive
GAIN 7 BASS 4 TREBLE 6 MASTER 6
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass4
Treble6
Master6
Don’t have a Marshall MG15G? Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10
Why these settings

The MG15G has no mid or presence knob—only Contour (set to 4-5, slightly toward the scooped side to mimic the Rectifier's tighter voicing without losing all mids). The original Dual Rectifier is mid-forward with tight lows; the MG's Overdrive channel runs hotter, so gain 7 reaches similar saturation. Bass dropped to 4 because the MG's small speaker gets muddy above 5. Treble 6 preserves clarity without fizz.

PRO TIPPalm-mute the low strings firmly and pick closer to the bridge for that percussive Linkin Park chug—Delson's attack is precise, not sloppy, which is half the tone.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall MG15G. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play
More tones for the Marshall MG15G
Drag The watersPanteraMaster of puppetsMetallicaLed to the Chamber / Liquified200 Stab WoundsLithiumNirvanado i wanna knowarctic monkeysDualitySlipknot
Find your amp
Browse
Marshall MG15G settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Linkin Park tonesALL SONGS Linkin Park on the Marshall MG15GSAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Jackson JS11 tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.

Get ToneAdapt — first match free