Tone library / Metallica / Orion

Orion amp settings — RMS RMSG20

The Metallica guitar tone for “Orion”, dialed in for a RMS RMSG20 with a Palmer Crossbow-LTD-LT. Studio version, Master of Puppets (1986) — heavy main riff

Original rig

Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ preamp into Marshall power amp / 4x12 cab, ESP M-I Custom with EMG 81, Boss DD-2 Delay

Aggressive mid-forward thrash rhythm with tight low-end and cutting high-mids, dry and punchy
Amp settings — RMS RMSG20
CHANNELCleanBRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 5 MID 5 TREBLE 5 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass5
Mid5
Treble5
Reverb0
Master5
Don’t have a RMS RMSG20? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Boss ME-90 (AIRD Preamp: MD-2 or STACK LEAD)

AIRD Preamp block set to STACK LEAD/DRIVE to replicate the Mesa Mark IIC+ high gain into the RMS clean channel

Gain 8 · Bass 7 · Middle 3 · Treble 7

02Boss ME-90 (OD/DS Block: T-SCREAM)

Used as a tight clean boost to focus the low-end attack before the preamp block

Drive 0 · Tone 6 · Level 8
Why these settings

The Boss ME-90 provides the entire Mesa Mark IIC+ high-gain preamp tone, so the small RMS practice amp stays on a neutral clean channel with low gain. The ME-90 preamp block scoops the 800Hz mids while keeping bass tight and treble biting. Clean interlude section: bypass the OD/DS boost and preamp high-gain block, use clean preamp with chorus.

PRO TIPDig in with strict, heavy downpicking right next to the bridge saddles to get that precise, percussive chug characteristic of the Master of Puppets rhythm tracks.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a RMS RMSG20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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