Preset Guitar Rig 5 Avenged Sevenfold ((top)) (2025)
This report details how to reconstruct the signature guitar tones of Avenged Sevenfold—specifically focusing on Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance
—using the components available in Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5. 1. The Core Amp Selection
To replicate the band's aggressive yet clear high-gain sound, you must select amplifiers that mimic their real-world gear, such as the Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier Go to product viewer dialog for this item. (used extensively in the City of Evil era) or Gates' custom Schecter Hellwin . Primary Amp Choice: " ": This is based on the Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
, which provides the tight palm-muted "thump" and saturation characteristic of Avenged Sevenfold's rhythm tracks. Secondary Amp Choice: " ": This model is based on the Mesa/Boogie Rectifier
. It is excellent for a thicker, more "wall-of-sound" rhythm tone with a massive low-end response.
Clean Amp Choice: "Cool Plex" or "Jazz Amp": For the bright, sparkling cleans found in songs like "Buried Alive," use these with high treble and slight gain for added body. 2. Recommended Signal Chain & Settings
Achieving the "A7X" sound requires more than just gain; it requires surgical EQ and specific "boost" techniques to keep the low-end from becoming muddy. A. Input & Pre-Processing
Skreamer (Overdrive): Place this before the amp. Set Drive at 0, Tone at 5-6, and Volume at 10. This "tightens" the amp's response, making palm mutes more percussive.
Noise Gate: Place this first in your rack. An aggressive threshold (around -40dB) is essential for the band's signature "stop-start" syncopated riffing. B. Amplifier Settings (Lead/High Gain)
Gain: 7.0 – 8.5 (Avoid cranking to 10 to maintain clarity). Bass: 5.0 – 6.0.
Mids: 3.5 – 5.0 (A slight "scoop" is okay for rhythm, but keep mids higher for leads to "cut" through). Treble: 6.5 – 8.0. Presence: 6.0 – 7.0. C. Post-Processing (The "Studio" Finish)
Graphic EQ: Use this to cut muddiness around 250Hz and boost the 1-2kHz range for presence. Apply a sharp high-cut filter at 8kHz to remove digital "fizz". Control Room / Cabinet: Use the 4x12 Vintage 30 cabinet IR for the most authentic mid-range bite. 3. Lead Guitar vs. Rhythm Specifics
The signature guitar sound of Avenged Sevenfold, primarily driven by lead guitarist Synyster Gates and rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, is defined by its high-gain aggression, surgical precision, and harmonically rich leads. Recreating this iconic "A7X" sound in Guitar Rig 5 requires balancing heavy distortion with enough midrange clarity to ensure your riffs don't get lost in the "mud". Core Gear and Signal Chain
Before diving into the software, your physical setup plays a role. The band's tone relies heavily on passive humbucker pickups for a more organic and touch-sensitive response.
Pickups: Synyster Gates famously uses the Seymour Duncan Invader. Tuning: Most songs are in Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-E) or Drop C#. Step-by-Step Preset Guide for Guitar Rig 5 preset guitar rig 5 avenged sevenfold
To build an Avenged Sevenfold-style preset from scratch, follow this recommended signal chain in the Guitar Rig rack: 1. Input & Gate
Start with a Noise Gate to eliminate hum between palm-mutes—a staple of the tight A7X rhythm sound.
Threshold: Set high enough to cut off signal immediately when you stop playing. 2. Pre-Amp Drive (The Tightener)
Use the Skreamer (Tubescreamer clone) to tighten the low end. Drive: 0 to 2 (Low gain is key here). Tone: 6 to 7 (Boosts clarity). Volume: 8 to 10 (Pushes the amp's front end). 3. The Amp Selection
Dicas Guitar Rig 5 | Avenged Sevenfold "Nightmare" style tone
Avenged Sevenfold’s signature sound is defined by Synyster Gates’ razor-sharp lead tones and Zacky Vengeance’s thick, aggressive rhythms. Achieving this in Guitar Rig 5 requires a balance of high-gain saturation, mid-range presence, and surgical effects. The Foundation: The "City of Evil" High-Gain Amp
To get that classic A7X bite, you need an amp that handles rapid-fire alternate picking without turning into mush.
Amp Choice: Use the Gratifier. It is modeled after the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, which is a staple of the band's studio sound. Settings:
Gain: 6 or 7. Don't max it out; you need clarity for fast runs. Bass: 5. Keep it tight to avoid "flub."
Mids: 7. This is the secret. A7X tones are not "scooped"; they are mid-forward. Treble: 6. High enough to cut through, but not piercing.
Matching Cab: Use the Control Room module with a 4x12 Vintage cabinet. Mix a dynamic mic (SM57 style) with a condenser mic for a full-frequency response. The Secret Weapon: Pre-Amp Overdrive
Synyster Gates often uses a boost in front of his amp to tighten the low end.
Pedal: Drop the Skreamer (Tube Screamer clone) before the amp. Volume: 8 to 10 (use it as a clean boost). Tone: 6 (to add a bit of "shimmer").
Drive: 0 to 2. You aren't looking for more distortion here, just compression and focus. Lead Tones and Modulation This report details how to reconstruct the signature
For those iconic "Bat Country" or "Nightmare" solos, you need to add space and character.
Pitch Pedal: Use the Transposer or Pitch Pedal module. Map it to an expression pedal to mimic Syn’s dive bombs and harmonized whammy shifts.
Delay: Add the Twin Delay. Set it to a short, subtle slapback for rhythm, or a timed 1/4 note delay with 3-4 repeats for leads.
Chorus/Flanger: A7X often uses a slight modulation on clean sections. Add the Electric Lady with a very low rate to get that "buried alive" clean vibe. Final Polishing: EQ and Compression
Solid EQ: Cut the frequencies below 80Hz to leave room for the bass guitar. Boost slightly at 3kHz to enhance the "pick attack."
Noise Suppressor: Place the Noise Zone at the very beginning of your rack. High-gain presets in Guitar Rig 5 can hiss; this keeps your stops dead silent.
⭐ Pro Tip: To truly mimic Synyster Gates, use a bridge humbucker and ensure your bridge pickup has a high output. If you want to refine this further, let me know: Which specific song or album era are you targeting? What guitar/pickups are you using? Are you recording in a DAW or playing live?
The fluorescent lights of the garage flickered as Leo plugged his weathered Schecter into the interface. For months, he’d been chasing a ghost—that specific, razor-sharp growl from City of Evil. He had the hands, but his tone sounded like a radio trapped in a tin can. He opened Guitar Rig 5 and stared at the empty rack. "Alright, Syn," he muttered, "let's find you." The Foundation
He started with the Gratifier. He pushed the gain until the signal hissed like a viper. It was heavy, but it was muddy. He remembered an interview where Synyster Gates talked about clarity even at high speeds. The Fix: He dialed back the Gain to 1 o'clock.
The Secret: He dropped a Skreamer pedal in front of the amp. Settings: Drive at zero, Tone at noon, Volume at max.
The flubby low end vanished. The chugs became percussive, hitting like a hammer against an anvil. The Sculpting
The mid-range was the next battle. Avenged Sevenfold’s tone isn’t scooped; it’s honky and aggressive. EQ Shelving: He boosted the 1.5kHz range.
Cabinet: He swapped the stock 4x12 for the Matched Cabinet with the mic shifted toward the edge of the cone.
Suddenly, the "Bat Country" riff didn't just play; it snarled. The Hallucinogenic Finish Option 3: Video Caption (YouTube Shorts / Reel)
No Synyster Gates rig is complete without the "weirdness." Leo dragged a Twin Delay into the rack. He set one side to a tight slapback and the other to a wide, trailing echo.
He added a touch of Micro Chorus for that liquid metallic sheen on the leads. He hit a high bend on the 12th fret of the high E string. The note sustained, blooming into a harmonic that sounded exactly like the opening of "Nightmare." The Result
Leo leaned back. The garage didn't feel like a garage anymore; it felt like a stadium. He launched into the solo for "Afterlife," the notes blurring together with the perfect balance of grit and silk. He clicked "Save Preset" and named it simply: DEATHBAT_1. 💡 Quick Tips for your GR5 A7X Tone:
Gate is Key: Use the Noise Gate at the very top of the rack to keep those stop-start riffs silent.
Bridge Pickup: Always use your bridge humbucker with the tone knob at 10.
Vibrato: The tone is 50% the preset and 50% how wide you shake those strings.
Since "Avenged Sevenfold" presets are user-created content rather than an official Native Instruments expansion, this review focuses on the playability, accuracy of tone, and the technical limitations of the software versus the real gear used by guitarists Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance.
Option 3: Video Caption (YouTube Shorts / Reel)
Text overlay on video: How to sound like Avenged Sevenfold in 30 seconds (Guitar Rig 5)
Caption: Can Guitar Rig 5 do Avenged Sevenfold? Yes – with the right tweaks.
Here’s the cheat code: 🚫 Don’t use the “Van51” amp (too fizzy). ✅ Use Lead 800 + Screamer. 🚫 Don’t scoop the mids completely. ✅ Mids at 6, Presence at 5. 🚫 Don’t skip the post-EQ.
Drop “A7X” in the comments if you want me to make a full preset file available for download. 🎸⚰️
#guitarrig5 #avengedsevenfold #synystergates #guitartone #a7xfan
Here’s a technical and creative write-up for crafting an Avenged Sevenfold-style preset in Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5, focusing on the City of Evil / Nightmare era—driven by Synyster Gates’ signature blend of hot-rodded gain, tight low-end, harmonic leads, and dotted-eighth delays.
Part 2: Building the Core Avenged Sevenfold Preset in Guitar Rig 5
Open Guitar Rig 5 and start a new empty rack. We will build left to right, just like a real pedalboard and amp head.
🎯 Tone Goal
Recreate Synyster Gates’ core lead and rhythm tone:
- High-gain, articulate, and compressed
- Tight palm mutes without flubby low end
- Singing sustain with controlled feedback
- Signature dotted-eighth delay for leads