Neural DSP Quad Cortex settings
Heart-Shaped Box settings for Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Nirvana · adapted 9 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Nirvana "Heart-Shaped Box" riff tone on a Neural DSP Quad Cortex, use the US TWN Normal (Fender Twin Reverb) amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Ibanez RG · updated 2026-10-13
- Amp model
- US TWN Normal (Fender Twin Reverb)
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- Open back 2x12
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 6
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1distortionChief DS1 (BOSS DS-1)Gain 6 · Tone 5 · Level 7
- 2reverbSpring (M)Mix 4 · Decay 3
- 3noise gateAdaptive GateRelease 5 · Threshold 4
Playing tips
- Focus on tight palm muting for chugging sections.
- Use a percussive attack to emphasize the notes.
- Maintain dynamic response to picking for a gritty edge.
The original rig
What Nirvana used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Neural DSP Quad Cortex actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Jaguar (early 1960s, modified with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup and black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails neck pickup)
- Amp
- Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1970s)
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 2
Different guitar or pedals? Get Heart-Shaped Box 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 Neural DSP Quad Cortex for Heart-Shaped Box?
Use the US TWN Normal (Fender Twin Reverb) (crunch channel) with Drive 6, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 5, followed by Chief DS1 (BOSS DS-1), Spring (M), Adaptive Gate.
Which pickup should I use for Heart-Shaped Box?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Nirvana use on Heart-Shaped Box?
Guitar: Fender Jaguar (early 1960s, modified with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickup and black Seymour Duncan Hot Rails neck pickup). Amp: Fender Twin Reverb (Silverface, late 1970s).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Ibanez RG. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Heart-Shaped Box on other amps
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Mustang LT25 · 165
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Frontman 10G · 67
- Heart-Shaped Box on Boss Katana · 62
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Champion 20 · 30
- Heart-Shaped Box on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 20
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Frontman 20G · 19
- Heart-Shaped Box on Fender Frontman 15G · 18
- Heart-Shaped Box on Orange Crush 12 · 17
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.