Tone library / Michael Jackson / Black Or White (Single Version)

Black Or White (Single Version) amp settings — Sonicake Packet master

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Black Or White (Single Version)”, dialed in for a Sonicake Packet master with a Boss Lespaul. Studio version, Dangerous (1991) — main riff by Bill Bottrell (Mesa Boogie), heavy section by Tim Pierce (Marshall)

Original rig

Kramer American → Mesa Boogie (main riff); Gibson Les Paul → Marshall stack (heavy bridge); Gibson LG-2 acoustic

Gritty mid-forward rock crunch with tight low end and aggressive pick attack

Amp settings — Sonicake Packet master

CHANNELCrunch or Drive channel (if available on Sonicake)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The Sonicake Pocket Master is a compact headphone amp with limited EQ shaping. Push mids hard to 7 to capture the Mesa Boogie's mid-forward bark—small practice amps tend to scoop mids by default. Gain at 5 gives the tight, defined crunch heard on the recording; higher will mud out. Reverb is 0 because the studio track is bone dry.

PRO TIPThe original riff has a very percussive, muted-string attack between chord stabs. Use your picking hand to palm-mute aggressively on the low E string between hits—this rhythmic 'chunk' is 50% of the tone's identity, not just the amp settings.

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These settings are for a Sonicake Packet master. 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.