IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 settings
Smells Like Teen Spirit settings for IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5
Nirvana · adapted 5 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" riff tone on a IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5, use the MH-500 Metalhead amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 3. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
updated 2026-10-06
- Amp model
- MH-500 Metalhead
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- Marshall 1960B 4x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 3
Effects chain
- 1distortionDistortionTone 4 · Level 10 · Distortion 7
- 2reverbRoom ReverbMix 2 · Decay 2
- 3noise gateNoise GateRelease 5 · Threshold 5
Playing tips
- Use aggressive palm muting for a tight, percussive sound.
- Focus on downstrokes for a more aggressive attack.
- Experiment with dynamics; play some chords softer and then hit harder for contrast.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 actually has.
- Guitar
- Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster (rosewood neck, Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 speakers
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 3
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Smells Like Teen Spirit adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Nirvana's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Use the MH-500 Metalhead (crunch channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 3, followed by Distortion, Room Reverb, Noise Gate.
Which pickup should I use for Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Nirvana use on Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Guitar: Early-'90s Japanese Fender Stratocaster (rosewood neck, Seymour Duncan JB bridge humbucker). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Studio Preamp (Rhythm channel) into Crown Power Base 2 power amp, Marshall 1960B 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12T-75 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.
Smells Like Teen Spirit on other amps
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Mustang LT25 · 447
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Frontman 10G · 208
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Boss Katana · 186
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Frontman 15G · 80
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Champion II 25 · 66
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 61
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Champion 20 · 60
- Smells Like Teen Spirit on Fender Frontman 20G · 53
Popular songs on the IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Creep · Radiohead
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.