Setting up Distortion on an Amp

For a distorted tone, set your amplifier settings to 7-9 for gain, 4-5 for bass, 5-7 for mids and 5-7 for treble. For metal, consider decreasing the mids and increasing the treble and bass. For heavy rock distortion, lower the gain slightly, and increase the mids. Keep in mind, that this is just a starting point.

1. What controls distortion on an amp?
2. How do I distort my power amp?
3. How do you get a perfect distortion?

What controls distortion on an amp?

Again a basic set of controls in this kind of amplifiers works like this: Volume + Gain + Bass + Middle + Treble. With this layout what you get is the Volume knob to control the power amp (the actual volume of the amp) and the gain knob to control the amount of gain (overdrive).

How do I distort my power amp?

If you keep your preamp clean, but turn up your amp's output/master volume until it distorts, or if your amp has no master volume control and you turn it up until the amp begins to distort, you're hearing power amp distortion.

How do you get a perfect distortion?

Note: For this discussion, we will be using the method that is most useful for playing many different types of rock music.

1. Step 1: Find A Good Clean Tone. ...
2. Step 2: Find Your Overdrive Tone – Light Distortion. ...
3. Step 3: Find Your Lead Tone – Heavy Distortion. ...
4. Step 4: Unity Gain. ...
5. Step 5: E.Q. or Equalization.