Tone library / Metallica / That was just your life

That was just your life amp settings — Vox VT40X

The Metallica guitar tone for “That was just your life”, dialed in for a Vox VT40X with a Jackson Pro Series King V. Studio version, Death Magnetic (2008) — fast opening rhythm riff

Original rig

Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ / Diezel VH4 / Marshall DSL blended into Celestion V30s, ESP / Gibson Explorer / Flying V with EMG 81/60 active humbuckers

Dry, razor-sharp, mid-focused modern thrash crunch with aggressive high-end attack

Amp settings — Vox VT40X

CHANNELDOUBLE REC (Mesa Dual Rectifier model)BOOSToff

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

Don’t have a Vox VT40X? Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Vox VT40X is a digital modeling amp without a physical presence knob on the faceplate, so presence is omitted. Select the high-gain 'DOUBLE REC' or 'BRIT 800' model to capture the Mark IIC+/Diezel crunch of Death Magnetic. The original tone relies on moderate gain with tight low-end and prominent mids rather than a deep 80s scoop, keeping palm-muted gallops punchy.

PRO TIPStrict, aggressive downpicking close to the bridge saddle with a heavy pick is essential to reproduce the sharp, percussive string transient that defines this track's rhythm.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Vox VT40X. 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 Vox VT40X

DualitySlipknot Tornado Of Souls (2004 Remix)Megadeth hero of the daymetallica ParanoidBlack Sabbath Freezing MoonMayhem Floods soloPantera

Find your amp

Browse

Vox VT40X settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Metallica tonesALL SONGS Metallica on the Vox VT40XSAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Jackson Pro Series King V 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.