Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III settings
Back in Black settings for Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
AC/DC · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the AC/DC "Back in Black" riff tone on a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, use the Plexi 100W High (Marshall Super Lead) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7.5, Treble 4.5, Presence 5.5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-09-05
- Amp model
- Plexi 100W High (Marshall Super Lead)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- 4x12 Marshall with Celestion G12M Greenbacks
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 4
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7.5
- Treble
- 4.5
- Presence
- 5.5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveT808 (TS808)Gain 2 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbLondon PlateMix 2 · Decay 3
Playing tips
- Focus on a tight, percussive attack for the riff.
- Use palm muting for added clarity and definition.
- Experiment with picking dynamics to enhance the touch-sensitive response.
The original rig
What AC/DC used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III actually has.
- Guitar
- Gibson SG Standard (1970s, likely '69-'73, stock humbuckers)
- Amp
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-watt Plexi (1970s, 4-input, non-master volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers)
- Gain
- 4
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7.5
- Treble
- 4.5
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Back in Black adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts AC/DC's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III for Back in Black?
Use the Plexi 100W High (Marshall Super Lead) (crunch channel) with Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7.5, Treble 4.5, Presence 5.5, followed by T808 (TS808), London Plate.
Which pickup should I use for Back in Black?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did AC/DC use on Back in Black?
Guitar: Gibson SG Standard (1970s, likely '69-'73, stock humbuckers). Amp: Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-watt Plexi (1970s, 4-input, non-master volume, into Marshall 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12M Greenback speakers).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Back in Black on other amps
- Back in Black on Fender Mustang LT25 · 295
- Back in Black on Boss Katana · 287
- Back in Black on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 157
- Back in Black on Fender Frontman 10G · 143
- Back in Black on Boss GT-1000 · 107
- Back in Black on Fender Champion 20 · 79
- Back in Black on Fender Tone Master Pro · 75
- Back in Black on Positive Grid Spark · 66
Popular songs on the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- One · Metallica
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.