Tone library / System Of A Down / Aerials

Aerials amp settings — Harley Benton HB-20MFX

The System Of A Down guitar tone for “Aerials”, dialed in for a Harley Benton HB-20MFX with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Toxicity album (2001)

Original rig

Ibanez Iceman (stock ceramic humbuckers) → Marshall JCM800 2203 head → Marshall 4x12 cab. No pedals on recording.

Tight, mid-forward high-gain metal with clear note definition and controlled low-end

Amp settings — Harley Benton HB-20MFX

CHANNELOD (Overdrive channel)

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	8
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	5
Presence	6
Reverb	0
Master	4

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

The HB-20MFX is a solid-state practice amp with less natural midrange push than a JCM800. Compensate by boosting mid to 7 (original was ~6.5) and keeping bass tight at 4 to avoid mud. Gain pushed to 8 because the amp's OD channel won't saturate like a cranked tube Marshall — this gets you in the ballpark. Treble rolled back slightly to 5 because solid-state amps can get harsh at high gain where tubes compress.

PRO TIPYour Pacifica's Alnico V bridge humbucker is lower output than Daron's ceramic Iceman pickups — dig in hard with your pick right over the bridge pickup pole pieces to maximize attack and compensate for the output difference. Palm mute tightly on the low strings for that characteristic SOAD chunk.

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These settings are for a Harley Benton HB-20MFX. 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.