Tone library / Rage against machine / Killing in the name

Killing in the name amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR

The Rage against machine guitar tone for “Killing in the name”, dialed in for a Marshall DSL40CR with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, Rage Against the Machine (1992) - Main Drop-D Riff

Original rig

1982 Fender Telecaster (neck pickup) / Les Paul into Marshall JCM800 2205 (Boost Channel) and Peavey 4x12 cab; Digitech Whammy WH-1, Ibanez DFL Flanger, and DOD FX40B EQ in FX loop

Aggressive, punchy, high-mid heavy British crunch with tight low-end thump in Drop D
Amp settings — Marshall DSL40CR
CHANNELClassic Gain (Crunch mode) or Ultra Gain (OD1)BOOSToff
GAIN 7 BASS 8 MID 9 TREBLE 6 PRESENCE 4 REVERB 0 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass8
Mid9
Treble6
Presence4
Reverb0
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01DigiTech Whammy (WH-1 or Whammy V)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; essential for the 2-octaves-up pitch shifted solo (run in FX loop)

Mode 10

02Flanger (Ibanez DFL or MXR Phase 90)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; used for the swirling intro chord (run in FX loop)

Speed 3 · Depth 7 · Regen 6
Why these settings

Morello's iconic JCM800 2205 settings crank Bass and Middle to 10 with Treble around 7. On the modern Marshall DSL40CR, Ultra Gain OD1 (or cranked Classic Gain Crunch) carries the drive natively, but we slightly rein in the bass to 8 and presence to 4 to keep your Stratocaster's neck single coil articulate and prevent low-end flub in Drop D. The track is dry with no reverb.

PRO TIPTune the low E down to Drop D and play the main riff entirely on the neck single-coil pickup using aggressive, percussive downstrokes right over the pickguard.

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