Neural DSP Quad Cortex settings
Black Hole Sun settings for Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Soundgarden · adapted 10 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Soundgarden "Black Hole Sun" riff tone on a Neural DSP Quad Cortex, use the CA Duo Ch3 Vintage (Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier) amp model on the lead channel, then set Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 5.5, Presence 4. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 10.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez GRG121DX · updated 2026-10-17
- Amp model
- CA Duo Ch3 Vintage (Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier)
- Channel
- Lead
- Cab
- 4x12 cabinet
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 10
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 5.5
- Presence
- 4
Effects chain
- 1modulationRotaryMix 6 · Depth 5 · Speed 7
- 2reverbSpring Reverb Engine (M)Mix 4 · Decay 3
- 3overdriveGreen 808 (Ibanez TS808)Gain 4 · Tone 5 · Level 7
Playing tips
- Focus on maintaining a defined string attack to capture the dynamic-oriented riff.
- Experiment with palm muting to achieve a punchy sound while retaining the ambient quality.
- Utilize a light touch on the strings to allow for the microphonic qualities of the pickups to shine through.
The original rig
What Soundgarden used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Neural DSP Quad Cortex actually has.
- Guitar
- Guild S-100
- Amp
- Late-Seventies Marshall Model 1987 JMP 50-watt Lead head (blended with Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo head)
- Gain
- 6
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 5.5
- Presence
- 4
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Black Hole Sun adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Soundgarden's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the Neural DSP Quad Cortex for Black Hole Sun?
Use the CA Duo Ch3 Vintage (Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier) (lead channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 5.5, Presence 4, followed by Rotary, Spring Reverb Engine (M), Green 808 (Ibanez TS808).
Which pickup should I use for Black Hole Sun?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 10.
What gear did Soundgarden use on Black Hole Sun?
Guitar: Guild S-100. Amp: Late-Seventies Marshall Model 1987 JMP 50-watt Lead head (blended with Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo head).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez GRG121DX. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Black Hole Sun on other amps
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Mustang LT25 · 134
- Black Hole Sun on Boss Katana · 55
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Frontman 10G · 45
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Champion 20 · 20
- Black Hole Sun on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 20
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Frontman 15G · 17
- Black Hole Sun on Fender Mustang LT50 · 14
- Black Hole Sun on Boss GT-1000 · 13
Popular songs on the Neural DSP Quad Cortex
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
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.