Metal2001
How to get the Toxicity guitar tone
System of a Down
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. The mids are scooped back, which opens up the low end and gives the treble more room to cut — great for rhythm, though leads can disappear in a mix if you're not careful. The recording era is audible in how compressed and defined the tone sits — deliberate production choices that are worth understanding.
Gear used on the recording
GuitarHumbucker (Les Paul / SG / Superstrat)
AmpHigh-gain (Mesa Mark V / Peavey 6505)
Key tone characteristics
- 1Full saturation — notes compress into each other, sustain is effectively infinite
- 2Scooped midrange — aggressive and wide-sounding, especially for palm-muted riffs
- 3Humbuckers preferred — single coils will get you in the neighbourhood but won't have the same body
Ready to dial it in?
Get these settings for your gear
We'll match the Toxicity tone profile to your specific amp, guitar, and pedals — recommended knob positions, not approximations.
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