Blackstar Core settings
Paranoid Android settings for Blackstar Core
Radiohead · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Radiohead "Paranoid Android" riff tone on a Blackstar Core, select the Classic preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Stratocaster · updated 2026-07-26
- Preset / mode
- Classic
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar Core knobs
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in chorus set to a moderate level to recreate the swirling modulation effect.
- Maintain a tight picking attack to achieve the percussive sound characteristic of the riff.
- Focus on clear note separation by ensuring your picking dynamics are consistent.
The original rig
What Radiohead used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Core actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Telecaster Plus
- Amp
- Vox AC30 (studio, likely with Marshall Shredmaster pedal for distortion)
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 2
Different guitar or pedals? Get Paranoid Android adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Radiohead's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the Blackstar Core for Paranoid Android?
Start from the Classic preset, then set Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 6, Reverb 0.5.
Which pickup should I use for Paranoid Android?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Radiohead use on Paranoid Android?
Guitar: Fender Telecaster Plus. Amp: Vox AC30 (studio, likely with Marshall Shredmaster pedal for distortion).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Paranoid Android on other amps
- Paranoid Android on Fender Mustang LT25 · 76
- Paranoid Android on Boss Katana · 57
- Paranoid Android on Fender Frontman 10G · 26
- Paranoid Android on Fender Champion 20 · 23
- Paranoid Android on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 19
- Paranoid Android on Fender Tone Master Pro · 15
- Paranoid Android on Marshall JCM800 · 12
- Paranoid Android on Fender Champion 100 · 11
Popular songs on the Blackstar Core
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.