HeadRush MX5 settings
Killing in the Name settings for HeadRush MX5
Rage Against the Machine · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Rage Against the Machine "Killing in the Name" riff tone on a HeadRush MX5, use the 82 Lead 800 amp model on the clean channel, then set Drive 2, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6. Use the neck pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
updated 2026-09-22
- Amp model
- 82 Lead 800
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- 4x12 Peavey cabinet
- Pickup
- Neck pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 2
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
- Original drive
- 2
Effects chain
- 1overdriveGreen JRC-ODGain 4 · Tone 6 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpringMix 3 · Decay 2
Playing tips
- Use a clean picking technique to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Focus on dynamic picking to enhance the percussive attack of the notes.
- Experiment with palm muting for a tighter rhythm sound.
The original rig
What Rage Against the Machine used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush MX5 actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Telecaster American Designer Edition (Drop D, main guitar for studio recording)
- Amp
- Marshall JCM800 2205 head (studio recording, early 1990s)
- Gain
- 7.5
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Killing in the Name adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Rage Against the Machine's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the HeadRush MX5 for Killing in the Name?
Use the 82 Lead 800 (clean channel) with Drive 2, Master 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, followed by Green JRC-OD, Spring.
Which pickup should I use for Killing in the Name?
Neck pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Rage Against the Machine use on Killing in the Name?
Guitar: Fender Telecaster American Designer Edition (Drop D, main guitar for studio recording). Amp: Marshall JCM800 2205 head (studio recording, early 1990s).
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.
Killing in the Name on other amps
- Killing in the Name on Fender Mustang LT25 · 134
- Killing in the Name on Boss Katana · 83
- Killing in the Name on Fender Frontman 10G · 45
- Killing in the Name on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 27
- Killing in the Name on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 21
- Killing in the Name on Marshall JCM800 · 20
- Killing in the Name on Boss GT-1000 · 20
- Killing in the Name on Fender Champion 20 · 18
Popular songs on the HeadRush MX5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
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.