Tone library / Rage against the machine / Killing in the name

Killing in the name amp settings — Roland Cube 40GX

The Rage against the machine guitar tone for “Killing in the name”, dialed in for a Roland Cube 40GX with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio album version, Rage Against The Machine (1992) — main Drop-D rhythm riff

Original rig

1982 Fender Telecaster (neck pickup, Drop D) into Marshall JCM800 2205 50W (Boost Channel) and Peavey 4x12 cabinet

Raw, punchy British crunch with tight low end and hollow single-coil neck bite

Amp settings — Roland Cube 40GX

CHANNELLEAD Channel (BRIT COMBO model)

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

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Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01DigiTech Whammy WH-1

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (required for solo pitch-shifting)

Mode (Set to +2 Octaves Up) 10 · Treadle Position 0

Why these settings

The Roland Cube 40GX's BRIT COMBO model emulates the Marshall JCM800 mid-forward bite without needing external drive pedals. Running your Stratocaster on the neck pickup in Drop D captures Morello's distinct hollow neck-single-coil attack, while keeping mids pushed at 7 matches the punchy 4x12 cab response. Reverb is set to 0 to keep the palm-muted stabs tight and dry like the studio cut.

PRO TIPTune the low E down to D and pick aggressively right over the neck pickup with a heavy pick to get the signature percussive clack on the main riff.

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These settings are for a Roland Cube 40GX. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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