Tone library / Michael Jackson / Smooth Criminal

Smooth Criminal amp settings — Line 6 POD Go

The Michael Jackson guitar tone for “Smooth Criminal”, dialed in for a Line 6 POD Go with a Squier Affinity Stratocaster. Studio version, Bad (1987) — rhythm guitar track by David Williams

Original rig

Fender Stratocaster (in-between position) direct-injected (DI) into Neve/SSL console with studio optical compression and high-pass EQ

Ultra-clean, percussive, snappy funk rhythm with heavy compression and studio polish

Amp settings — Line 6 POD Go

CHANNELStudio Tube Preamp (or Essex A30 / Jazz Rivet clean block with matched IR)BRIGHTonBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	7
Presence	6
Reverb	2
Master	8

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Guitar

PICKUPneck+middle TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Deluxe Comp (Line 6 Studio Compressor block)

In front of amp model block — essential for that percussive studio squish

Threshold 6 · Ratio 7 · Attack 3 · Release 5 · Level 7

02Parametric EQ (Line 6 EQ block)

High-pass around 100Hz and boost 2.5kHz snap

Low Cut 4 · High Mid 7 · High Cut 2 · Level 5

Why these settings

David Williams recorded his rhythmic funk parts DI straight into the console with aggressive studio compression rather than a traditional mic'd amplifier. On the POD Go, running a Studio Pre or clean amp block with the Deluxe Comp and bright EQ reproduces the exact glassy, ultra-tight snap on single-coil Strat pickups. Keep amp gain low at 2 to preserve clean headroom and prevent any clipping during heavy strumming.

PRO TIPUse position 4 (neck + middle) on your Strat and rest the heel of your picking hand lightly near the bridge for rhythmic staccato mutes while keeping the wrist loose and snappy.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Line 6 POD Go. 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.