Progressive Metal1992
How to get the Metropolis Pt. 1 guitar tone
Dream Theater
This is fully committed high-gain territory. Every string rings out with that compressed, almost vocal quality that comes from really pushing a preamp stage. There's real presence up top — that treble bite isn't an accident, it's what makes every picked note land. Layer in subtle chorus and hall reverb and echo and the whole thing takes on a dimension you can't get from the amp alone.
Gear used on the recording
GuitarHumbucker (7-string superstrat)
AmpHigh-gain (Mesa Mark / Axe-Fx)
EffectsSubtle chorus, Delay
Key tone characteristics
- 1Full saturation — notes compress into each other, sustain is effectively infinite
- 2High treble presence — cuts through a dense mix without needing to boost volume
- 3Subtle chorus modulation — part of the signature character
- 4Echo/delay is baked into the tone — rhythmic placement of notes matters more than usual
Ready to dial it in?
Get these settings for your gear
We'll match the Metropolis Pt. 1 tone profile to your specific amp, guitar, and pedals — recommended knob positions, not approximations.
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