Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III settings
One settings for Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "One" riff tone on a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III, use the USA IIC+ (Mesa Mark IIC+) amp model on the lead channel, then set Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a ESP Snakebyte (James Hetfield Signature) · updated 2026-09-01
- Amp model
- USA IIC+ (Mesa Mark IIC+)
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- Marshall 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-9
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 5
Amp block
- Drive
- 8
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 3
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1noise gateNoise Gate
- 2distortionRat Dist (Rat)Volume 7 · Filter 5 · Distortion 8
- 3overdriveT808 (TS808)Gain 5 · Tone 6 · Level 8
- 4reverbLondon PlateMix 3 · Decay 2
- 5eqGraphic EQLow 5 · Mid 2 · High 6 · Level 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use fast alternate picking to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Ensure your attack is aggressive to match the original tone.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX-220 (black finish, custom, 1987-1988 era)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (main rhythm amp for '...And Justice for All' era)
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 3.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 4.5
- Reverb
- 1
Different guitar or pedals? Get One adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Metallica'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 One?
Use the USA IIC+ (Mesa Mark IIC+) (lead channel) with Drive 8, Master 7, Bass 5, Mid 3, Treble 7, Presence 5, followed by Noise Gate, Rat Dist (Rat), T808 (TS808), London Plate, Graphic EQ.
Which pickup should I use for One?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Metallica use on One?
Guitar: ESP MX-220 (black finish, custom, 1987-1988 era). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ (main rhythm amp for '...And Justice for All' era).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a ESP Snakebyte (James Hetfield Signature). Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
One on other amps
Popular songs on the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx III
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- War Pigs · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
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.