Roland CUBE-20XL settings
Beat It settings for Roland CUBE-20XL
Michael Jackson · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Michael Jackson "Beat It" solo tone on a Roland CUBE-20XL, set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Efx solo 7. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 10 and volume on 8-10.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Gear4music LA Electric Guitar · updated 2026-11-14
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 10 · Volume 8-10
Roland CUBE-20XL knobs
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Efx solo
- 7
- Power squeezer switch
- 1
Built-in effects
- Delay on
- Reverb on · 0.5
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in delay set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Engage the Power Squeezer for full gain at low volume to maintain clarity and sustain during the solo.
- Set the EFX/SOLO to a high level to boost your signal and cut through the mix.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Gear4music LA Electric Guitar · updated 2026-11-14
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Roland CUBE-20XL knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Reverb
- 0.5
- Efx solo
- 0
- Power squeezer switch
- 0
Built-in effects
- Reverb on · 0.5
Playing tips
- Use tight palm muting for chugging sections to achieve a percussive attack.
- Pick with a sharp attack to enhance note clarity and separation.
- Maintain a steady rhythm to emphasize the aggressive yet controlled nature of the riff.
The original rig
What Michael Jackson used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Roland CUBE-20XL actually has.
- Guitar
- Charvel 'Frankie' Strat-style (Eddie Van Halen's custom guitar, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo)
- Amp
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Jose Arredondo modded, with Variac)
- Gain
- 8
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 5.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 6.5
- Reverb
- 1.5
Different guitar or pedals? Get Beat It adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Michael Jackson's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Roland CUBE-20XL settings for Beat It?
Set Gain 8, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 7, Reverb 0.5, Efx solo 7.
Which pickup should I use for Beat It?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 10 and volume at 8-10.
What gear did Michael Jackson use on Beat It?
Guitar: Charvel 'Frankie' Strat-style (Eddie Van Halen's custom guitar, likely with Floyd Rose tremolo). Amp: Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Jose Arredondo modded, with Variac).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Gear4music LA Electric Guitar. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Popular songs on the Roland CUBE-20XL
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Buddy Holly (2024 Remaster) · Weezer
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- 18 And Life · Skid Row
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.