How to Get Meshuggah Guitar Tone

Meshuggah's guitar tone is legendary—punchy, precise, and powerful enough to crush a planet. If you're aiming to replicate this monstrous sound, get ready to fine-tune your rig and technique. Here's a look at what goes into achieving a tone reminiscent of these metal giants.

Understanding Meshuggah's Sound

Before you start twiddling knobs, it's crucial to grasp what makes Meshuggah's tone so unique. It's not just about heavy distortion; it's about clarity, attack, and a certain tightness that many bands strive for but few achieve. Meshuggah uses extended-range guitars, typically eight-string models, which allow them to explore a sonic depth that's hard to match. Their tone is defined by a blend of low-end power and crisp high-end definition, making every note stand out even amidst rapid, complex riffing.

To capture this sound, you'll need to consider several factors: your guitar, amp settings, effects, and playing technique. Each plays a role in crafting that signature Meshuggah tone. Let's break it down.

Choosing the Right Guitar

While you don't need an eight-string guitar to play Meshuggah's music, it certainly helps. The lower strings provide the additional range necessary for their deep, growling riffs. If you're using a six or seven-string guitar, you might consider tuning down to match the lower register of an eight-string.

Here are some things to consider when choosing your guitar:

• Scale Length: Longer scale lengths can help maintain tension on the lower strings, crucial for maintaining clarity in low tunings.
• Pickups: Active pickups, like those from EMG or Fishman, are popular choices for their high output and tight response.
• Setup: Ensure your guitar is well set up, with proper intonation and action, to handle the technical demands of Meshuggah's music.

Remember, your guitar is the foundation of your tone. Choose one that feels comfortable and complements your playing style.

Dialing in the Amp Settings

Meshuggah's amp settings are all about balance. You want enough gain to sustain notes and create a wall of sound, but too much will muddy your tone. Here's a basic guide to get you started:

• Gain: Start with a moderate gain setting. You want enough saturation for sustain but not so much that it obscures your picking dynamics.
• EQ: Set your EQ to emphasize mids and highs while maintaining a tight low end. Try boosting the mids to cut through the mix.
• Presence: Adjust the presence to add clarity. This will help ensure your notes ring out clearly, even in high-gain settings.

Meshuggah's guitarists often use digital modeling amps, which offer a wide range of tonal possibilities. If you're using a tube amp, consider pairing it with a high-quality distortion pedal to achieve similar results.

Effects and Pedals

While Meshuggah's tone is largely driven by their amps and guitars, effects play a role too. The right pedals can add character and depth to your sound. Here are a few to consider:

• Noise Gate: Essential for keeping your sound tight and free of unwanted noise, especially in high-gain settings.
• Overdrive: Use a subtle overdrive to push your amp harder and add a bit of warmth to your tone.
• EQ Pedal: An EQ pedal can help you fine-tune your sound, allowing you to adjust frequencies that your amp's EQ might not cover.

Effects should enhance your tone, not overshadow it. Use them to add texture and control, but remember that the core of your sound should come from your amp and guitar.

Playing Technique: Precision and Rhythm

Even with the perfect gear, Meshuggah's tone requires precise playing. Their music is rhythmically complex, and achieving their sound is as much about technique as it is about equipment.

Focus on these techniques to nail that Meshuggah sound:

• Downpicking: Meshuggah's riffs often rely on tight, aggressive downpicking. Practice downpicking exercises to build speed and endurance.
• Polyrhythms: Their music is famous for its use of polyrhythms. Start with simple exercises and gradually incorporate them into your playing.
• Palm Muting: Use palm muting to control your dynamics and add definition to your riffs. Experiment with different levels of muting to find what works best for you.

Meshuggah's music is challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Take your time with these techniques, and don't get discouraged if it takes a while to master them.

Recording Tips for Meshuggah's Tone

If you're looking to capture that Meshuggah tone in a recording, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Recording can be a different beast from live playing, so you'll need to adapt your setup accordingly.

• Mic Placement: Experiment with mic placement to find the sweet spot for your amp. Close miking usually provides the best clarity and focus.
• Double Tracking: Record your guitar parts twice and pan them left and right for a fuller sound.
• Post-Processing: Use EQ and compression in your DAW to enhance your tone further. This can help you achieve the polished sound typical of professional recordings.

Recording is an art in itself, and like any art form, it takes practice. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your setup.

Meshuggah's Gear and Influences

Understanding Meshuggah's gear choices can provide valuable insight into their sound. The band has used a variety of equipment over the years, and while you don't need to replicate their rig exactly, knowing what they use can help you make informed gear decisions.

Some of the gear Meshuggah has used includes:

• Guitars: Ibanez eight-string guitars are a staple in their setup.
• Amps: Line 6 digital modeling amps have been a significant part of their sound.
• Effects: While their use of effects is minimal, they employ noise gates and EQs to refine their tone.

Additionally, understanding the band's influences can give you a sense of their musical direction. Meshuggah draws inspiration from a variety of genres, including jazz and progressive rock, which contribute to their unique sound.

Practicing Like Meshuggah

Finally, to achieve a tone like Meshuggah's, you need to practice like Meshuggah. Consistent practice is essential for developing the precision and endurance required to play their music.

• Structured Practice: Set aside dedicated practice time each day and stick to it. Consistency is crucial for improvement.
• Use a Metronome: Practicing with a metronome can help improve your timing and rhythm, which are critical for playing Meshuggah's music.
• Record Yourself: Recording your practice sessions can help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.

Committing to a structured practice routine will lead to noticeable improvements in your playing. And if you're looking for guidance, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the world's best metal guitarists, which can help you refine your technique even further.

Final Thoughts

Achieving Meshuggah's guitar tone is a journey that involves more than just gear. It's about understanding their sound, refining your technique, and committing to consistent practice. At Riffhard, we offer lessons from top metal guitarists to help you along the way. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, there's always room to grow and explore new sounds. Keep experimenting, and enjoy the process!