7 Steps To Dial In The Perfect Avenged Sevenfold Tone In AmpliTube 5 (2025 Guide)

Achieving the monumental, high-gain tone of Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) has long been the holy grail for modern metal guitarists. The signature sound of Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance is a complex blend of aggressive distortion, tight low-end, and articulate clarity, evolving from the raw metalcore of Waking the Fallen to the polished stadium rock of Nightmare and beyond. This 2025 guide dives deep into IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube 5, providing a step-by-step tutorial to replicate that massive A7X tone using the software’s most powerful amp models and effects.

The good news is that you don't need Synyster Gates' custom Schecter guitar or an actual Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier stack to get remarkably close. AmpliTube 5 offers hyper-realistic modeling that captures the essence of their gear. By focusing on the right amp, cabinet, and crucial EQ adjustments—especially the infamous "scooped mids"—you can nail the aggressive rhythm and soaring lead tones that define Avenged Sevenfold's sound.

The Core Gear: Synyster Gates & Zacky Vengeance AmpliTube Equivalents

To establish topical authority, it is crucial to understand the real-world gear used by Avenged Sevenfold’s guitarists. Their tone is primarily built on high-gain American and British amplifiers. AmpliTube 5 provides ultra-accurate models of these classics, which form the foundation of our tutorial.

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Synyster Gates & Zacky Vengeance Real-World Gear (Key Entities):

• Amps: Mesa/Boogie Dual/Triple Rectifier, Marshall JCM800/JVM, Bogner Uberschall, and later, custom-voiced Schecter/EVH amps.
• Cabinets: Mesa 4x12 cabinets with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers.
• Guitars: Schecter Synyster Custom and Zacky Vengeance Signature models, often with Seymour Duncan Invader or custom pickups.
• Effects: Ibanez Tube Screamer (TS808/TS9) for boosting, various Wah pedals, Boss DD-3 Delay, and a high-quality Chorus/Reverb for solos.

AmpliTube 5 Model Equivalents:

• The Primary Amp (Rhythm): The Recti-Fire (Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier model) is the undisputed king for A7X rhythm tone.
• Alternative Amp (Rhythm/Lead): The Metal Lead V2 (Peavey 5150/6505 model) or the British Metal (Marshall JVM model) are excellent alternatives for a slightly different flavor of high-gain.
• The Booster Pedal: The OverScream (Ibanez Tube Screamer model) or the Treble Booster.
• The Cabinet: A 4x12 Vintage 30 or 4x12 Greenback cabinet model.

The goal is to select the Recti-Fire amp and pair it with the correct cabinet model to capture that tight, mid-scooped, and aggressive A7X crunch.

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Step-by-Step Tutorial: Dialing in the A7X Rhythm Tone

The rhythm tone is the backbone of Avenged Sevenfold's music—thick, percussive, and clear, even under heavy distortion. This setup focuses on the Recti-Fire model, which is essential for capturing the sound of albums like City of Evil and Nightmare.

Step 1: The Pre-Amp Booster (Tightness is Key)

In the Stomp section before the amp, place an OverScream pedal. This is the secret weapon for making the high-gain sound tight and defined, preventing it from becoming muddy.

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• Drive/Gain: 0 (or very low, 1-2)
• Tone/Filter: 7 to 8 (to cut flubby bass and add clarity)
• Level/Output: Maxed (10) (to hit the amp's front end harder)

Step 2: The High-Gain Amp Settings (Recti-Fire)

Select the Recti-Fire amp head model and use the Modern/Red channel. The key here is the classic "scooped mids" setting, but with enough presence and treble to cut through the mix.

• Gain: 8.5 (High, but let the OverScream do most of the work)
• Bass: 5 (Keep it moderate; too much bass adds mud)
• Middle: 3 to 4 (The "scoop" is here. Lower mids create the aggressive metal sound)
• Treble: 7 (To add bite and definition)
• Presence: 6.5 (To enhance clarity and top-end shimmer)
• Master Volume: Adjust to taste, but keep it high for power amp saturation.

Step 3: Cabinet and Microphone Selection

The cabinet and microphone are just as important as the amp. Select a 4x12 Vintage 30 or 4x12 Greenback model in the Cab section. For the microphone, start with a classic Dynamic 57 (Shure SM57 model) placed slightly off-center of one cone. This microphone placement captures the mid-range punch needed for metal. Experiment with a second mic (like a Condenser 414) blended in for added room depth.

The Synyster Gates Lead Tone: Adding Clarity and Dimension

Synyster Gates’ solos are famous for their complexity, speed, and melodic, ethereal quality. The lead tone needs to be louder, smoother, and richer in effects than the rhythm tone. Instead of a new amp, we'll use the same high-gain amp with added effects in the post-amp Rack section.

Step 4: The EQ Boost (The Solo Jump)

In the Rack section, place an EQ unit (like the Graphic EQ or Parametric EQ). This serves two purposes: to boost the volume for the solo to cut through the mix, and to slightly adjust the EQ to make the tone smoother and more vocal.

• Level: +3dB to +5dB (for the volume boost)
• Mids: Slightly increase the 1kHz to 2kHz range (to make the solo sing and less scooped).

Step 5: The Ethereal Chorus Effect

Synyster Gates uses a chorus effect to add width, depth, and a subtle "wobbly" texture to many of his signature solos, such as in "Afterlife" and "Nightmare."

• Effect: Chorus Flanger (or a dedicated Chorus model)
• Rate: Low (2-3)
• Depth: Medium (5-6)
• Mix: Moderate (4-5) (You want it noticeable, but not overwhelming.)

Step 6: Delay and Reverb (Creating Space)

To make the solo sound massive and fill the sonic space, add a Digital Delay and a high-quality Reverb in the Rack section. These are essential for the epic, sweeping feel of A7X’s lead work.

• Delay: Use the Digital Delay model. Set the time to a quarter note or eighth note synced to the song's tempo. Keep the Feedback low (3-4) and the Mix moderate (4-5).
• Reverb: Use a large, ambient reverb like the Digital Reverb or Hall Reverb. Set the Decay/Time to 5-7 and the Mix to 3-4.

Step 7: Final Tweaks and Topical Entities for Perfection

The final stage involves polishing the tone and ensuring maximum clarity, especially for recording or performance. This is where the subtle entities and final chain adjustments come into play.

The Noise Gate: A high-gain tone will always produce noise. Place a Noise Gate at the very start of your chain (before the OverScream). Set the Threshold just high enough to eliminate the hiss when you stop playing, but not so high that it cuts off your sustain. This is critical for the tight, percussive nature of A7X’s palm-muting.

The Impulse Response (IR) Authority: For the absolute best results, consider using AmpliTube 5's built-in VIR™ (Volumetric Impulse Response) technology. While the stock cabinets are great, replacing the Cab section with a custom Mesa/V30 Impulse Response (IR) can further tighten the low-end and add a specific, unique flavor that many professional producers use to dial in modern metal tones.

Guitar and Tuning: Remember, the physical guitar matters. A7X primarily uses Drop D or Drop C tunings. Ensure your guitar is tuned correctly, and ideally, use a guitar with powerful humbucker pickups (like the Schecter Synyster Custom) to feed a strong signal into your interface. This high-output signal is a key entity in achieving the raw aggression of their sound.

By following these seven steps—focusing on the Recti-Fire, the OverScream boost, the scooped mids, and the essential lead effects (Chorus, Delay, Reverb)—you will have successfully replicated the massive, studio-quality Avenged Sevenfold tone within AmpliTube 5. Experiment with the settings to find the perfect balance between the *Waking the Fallen* rawness and the *The Stage* modern polish.