Neural DSP Quad Cortex settings
Mr. Brightside settings for Neural DSP Quad Cortex
The Killers · adapted 29 times on ToneAdapt
To get the The Killers "Mr. Brightside" riff tone on a Neural DSP Quad Cortex, use the US DLX 65 Reissue (Fender Deluxe Reverb '65 Reissue) amp model on the clean channel, then set Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a HSS Stratocaster · updated 2026-10-22
- Amp model
- US DLX 65 Reissue (Fender Deluxe Reverb '65 Reissue)
- Channel
- Clean
- Cab
- 1x12 open back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 4
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
Effects chain
- 1modulationChief CE2W (BOSS CE-2W)Mix 6 · Rate 4 · Depth 5 · Feedback 0
- 2reverbSpring Reverb Engine (M)Mix 5 · Decay 6
Playing tips
- Use a light touch for picking to maintain clarity and avoid muddiness.
- Incorporate subtle palm muting during the riff for added definition.
- Experiment with slight variations in picking dynamics to enhance the riff's expressiveness.
The original rig
What The Killers used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Neural DSP Quad Cortex actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording)
- Amp
- Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources)
- Gain
- 4.5
- Bass
- 4.5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 8
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Mr. Brightside adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts The Killers'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 Mr. Brightside?
Use the US DLX 65 Reissue (Fender Deluxe Reverb '65 Reissue) (clean channel) with Drive 4, Master 7, Bass 4, Mid 7, Treble 8, Presence 6, followed by Chief CE2W (BOSS CE-2W), Spring Reverb Engine (M).
Which pickup should I use for Mr. Brightside?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did The Killers use on Mr. Brightside?
Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (likely American Standard, early 2000s, as used by Dave Keuning on the studio recording). Amp: Fender Hot Rod DeVille (studio recording, 2003 era; Fender-style amp confirmed by multiple sources).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a HSS Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Mr. Brightside on other amps
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Mustang LT25 · 202
- Mr. Brightside on Boss Katana · 94
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 10G · 88
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 52
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Champion 20 · 42
- Mr. Brightside on Fender Frontman 15G · 26
- Mr. Brightside on Line 6 POD Go / POD Go Wireless · 24
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.