Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X settings
Enter Sandman settings for Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X
Metallica · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Metallica "Enter Sandman" riff tone on a Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X, select the Signature 83 preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 5.5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a PRS SE Silver Sky · updated 2026-09-29
- Preset / mode
- Signature 83
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 0
- Three in one gain
- 0
- Three in one output
- 0
- Signature 83 eq switch
- 0
- Headroom hero mid switch
- 0
- Signature 83 bright switch
- 0
- Three in one signature 83 level
- 0
- Three in one headroom hero level
- 0
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging riffs.
- Use aggressive picking to enhance articulation.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to keep the percussive feel.
The original rig
What Metallica used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X actually has.
- Guitar
- ESP MX-220 (black finish)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5.5
- Mid
- 4.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 4.5
- Reverb
- 0
Different guitar or pedals? Get Enter Sandman 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 preset should I use on the Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X for Enter Sandman?
Start from the Signature 83 preset, then set Gain 8, Bass 5.5, Mid 5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 0.
Which pickup should I use for Enter Sandman?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Metallica use on Enter Sandman?
Guitar: ESP MX-220 (black finish). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC++.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a PRS SE Silver Sky. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Enter Sandman on other amps
- Enter Sandman on Fender Mustang LT25 · 644
- Enter Sandman on Boss Katana · 470
- Enter Sandman on Fender Frontman 10G · 238
- Enter Sandman on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 168
- Enter Sandman on Boss GT-1000 · 121
- Enter Sandman on Fender Frontman 15G · 118
- Enter Sandman on Fender Champion 20 · 114
- Enter Sandman on Neural DSP Quad Cortex · 94
Popular songs on the Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Sultans of Swing · Dire Straits
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Black Magic Woman · Santana
- Gravity · John Mayer
- Tadow · Masego
- Creep · Radiohead
- Belief · John Mayer
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.