Fractal Audio FM9 settings
Mr. Brightside settings for Fractal Audio FM9
The Killers · adapted 4 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Killers "Mr. Brightside" riff tone on a Fractal Audio FM9, use the Double Verb (Fender Twin) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4.5, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Player Stratocaster HSS · updated 2026-08-04
- Amp model
- Double Verb (Fender Twin)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- Open Back 2x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 5
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Original drive
- 5
Effects chain
- 1overdriveT808Gain 3 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 2modulationDimension DMix 5 · Rate 3 · Depth 5
- 3reverbLondon PlateMix 6 · Decay 5
Playing tips
- Use a light touch for a clean attack on the strings to maintain clarity.
- Incorporate subtle palm muting in parts of the riff for added punch.
- Experiment with fingerstyle for a warmer tone, but maintain pick attack for the main riff.
The original rig
What The Killers used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Fractal Audio FM9 actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording)
- Amp
- Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources)
- Gain
- 4.5
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Mr. Brightside adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts The Killers'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 FM9 for Mr. Brightside?
Use the Double Verb (Fender Twin) (crunch channel) with Drive 5, Master 7, Bass 4.5, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6, followed by T808, Dimension D, London Plate.
Which pickup should I use for Mr. Brightside?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did The Killers use on Mr. Brightside?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording). Amp: Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Player Stratocaster HSS. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Mr. Brightside on other amps
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Mustang LT25 · 202
- Mr. Brightside on Boss Katana · 94
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 10G · 88
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 52
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Champion 20 · 42
- Mr. Brightside on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 29
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 15G · 26
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 POD Go / POD Go Wireless · 24
Popular songs on the Fractal Audio FM9
- Sharp Dressed Man · ZZ Top
- Hard To Handle · The Black Crowes
- Leviathan · Volbeat
- Gimme Three Steps · Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Turn Me Loose · Loverboy
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Rock and Roll · Led Zeppelin
- Walk · Pantera
- One Night Love Affair · Bryan Adams
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.