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Hypnotize amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI

The System of a down guitar tone for “Hypnotize”, dialed in for a Positive Grid Spark MINI with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Hypnotize album (2005)

Original rig

1962 Gibson SG → Marshall JMP 2203 100w (modded channel) → 4x12 cab. Clean parts: Hagstrom → Watkins Dominator

Tight, articulate high-gain with boosted mids, controlled low-end for drop C clarity, aggressive but defined palm mutes

Amp settings — Positive Grid Spark MINI

CHANNELMetal or Hi-Gain amp model (Marshall-based voicing preferred — use 'Metal' or '2203' preset if available)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Boss DS-1 Distortion

Use as a clean boost only — Dist at 0, Level pushed. This tightens the low end and adds pick attack for drop tuning clarity. The Spark's amp model provides the gain; the DS-1 shapes the front end.

Tone 4 · Level 7 · Dist 0

Why these settings

Your GRG170DX has Infinity humbuckers — hotter than Malakian's vintage PAF-style SG pickups. Gain dropped from 8 to 7 to compensate. The Spark's digital modeling is more compressed than a cranked JMP, so mids pushed to 7 (vs his ~6) to recover that vocal bark. Bass at 4 prevents mud in drop C on a modeling platform. DS-1 with Dist at 0 acts as a buffer/boost — this is how to get tightness without stacking two gain stages.

PRO TIPMalakian's pick attack is critical — he digs in hard on downstrokes but relaxes on upstrokes for rhythmic dynamics. Practice palm muting with your hand closer to the bridge saddles than usual; this gives the tight 'chunk' that defines SOAD riffs without relying on extra gain.

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