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The Dark Side Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Muse
Muse · 2010s+ · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Manson MB-1
Pickups
Manson custom humbucker (bridge position)
Amp
Marshall (model not specified, likely JCM800 or similar, as referenced for album sessions)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2018 (Simulation Theory album). Matt Bellamy used a Manson MB-1 with a custom humbucker into a Marshall amp for the main riff. Effects included a Korg SDD-3000 digital delay and a Space Echo-style reverb pedal. No explicit mention of live rig for this song's riff.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb2.5
Treble7.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay · delay
- Space Echo-style reverb pedal (exact model unknown) · reverb
Manson MB-1 (bridge humbucker) → Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay → Space Echo-style reverb pedal → Marshall amp
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Tone Character
- tight, compressed distortion
- saturated, modern rock tone
- clear note definition under heavy gain
- synth-like sustain
- aggressive, percussive attack
- articulate under palm muting
- processed, digital delay ambience
- slightly scooped but present mids
- studio-polished, layered sound
Notes & Caveats
- No explicit amp model or settings for the riff section of 'The Dark Side' found; amp and settings estimated based on Matt Bellamy's typical studio rig for this album and genre.
- Pedal models for delay and reverb are referenced in interviews but not all knob settings are specified.
- No explicit pickup selector position stated, but bridge humbucker is standard for Bellamy's heavy riff tones.
- No direct evidence of modulation effects (chorus, flanger, phaser) in the riff section; only delay and reverb are confirmed.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Matt Bellamy's riff tone on 'The Dark Side' is modern, saturated, and tight with a slightly scooped midrange, prominent top end, and minimal ambience. Muse typically uses high-gain amps (often Diezel or Kemper profiles), with mids pulled back for clarity and presence boosted for cut, matching the song's aggressive, futuristic rock production.