Riff Tone
I Can Tell You About Pain
Converge
Guitarmetal2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGod City Instruments Craftsman (Kurt Ballou signature, likely used for studio recording)
AmpLine 6 Helix (Kvrt Preset V6) into Quilter Overdrive 202 heads, powering Bad Cat 4x12 cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30s
PickupsGod City Instruments Railhammer Hyper Vintage humbucker (bridge position, as per Ballou's typical setup for heavy riffing)
Amp Settings
gain9
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionUnknown Centaur-style distortion (Helix model)
fuzzUnknown Tycoctavia Fuzz (Helix model)
noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate (Helix model)
Notes
Studio recording, 2017. Kurt Ballou used a Helix with custom presets modeling high-gain amps (Diezel Das Benzin Mega, PRS Archon), running into Quilter Overdrive 202 heads and Bad Cat 4x12 cabs. Pedals and effects are modeled within the Helix. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedtight and percussiveaggressive attackclear note separationmid-forward punchslightly scooped but not hollowminimal ambiencedry and directmodern metalcore clarityhigh output, heavy riffing
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, aggressive picking with precise palm muting and tight rhythm, demanding both technical control and stamina typical of modern metalcore riffing.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGod City Instruments Craftsman (Kurt Ballou signature, likely used for studio recording)
AmpLine 6 Helix (Kvrt Preset V6) into Quilter Overdrive 202 heads, powering Bad Cat 4x12 cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30s
PickupsGod City Instruments Railhammer Hyper Vintage humbucker (bridge position, as per Ballou's typical setup for heavy riffing)
Amp Settings
gain9
bass5.5
mid5.5
treble7
reverb1
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
distortionUnknown Centaur-style distortion (Helix model)
fuzzUnknown Tycoctavia Fuzz (Helix model)
noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate (Helix model)
Notes
Studio recording, 2017. Kurt Ballou used a Helix with custom presets modeling high-gain amps (Diezel Das Benzin Mega, PRS Archon), running into Quilter Overdrive 202 heads and Bad Cat 4x12 cabs. Pedals and effects are modeled within the Helix. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this specific riff section.
Tone Character(10)
thick and saturatedtight and percussiveaggressive attackclear note separationmid-forward punchslightly scooped but not hollowminimal ambiencedry and directmodern metalcore clarityhigh output, heavy riffing
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, aggressive picking with precise palm muting and tight rhythm, demanding both technical control and stamina typical of modern metalcore riffing.
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