Avenged Sevenfold solos are drenched in stereo delay and hall reverb.
Reverb Springs or Hall of Fame
Open Guitar Rig 5 and start a new empty rack. We will build left to right, just like a real pedalboard and amp head.
With the rise of Neural DSP, IK Multimedia’s ToneX, and Amplitube 5, Guitar Rig 5 is considered "abandonware" (Native Instruments moved to GR6 and GR7, which are very different). However, the nostalgia for GR5 remains high because it was free with Komplete and ran on potato laptops.
If you want a perfect Avenged Sevenfold tone in 2025, you would buy Neural DSP Gojira (for the rhythm chug) or Fortin Nameless (for the Waking the Fallen rawness). But if you are stuck on GR5 because you love its chaotic, slightly lo-fi charm, fear not—with the right impulse responses and a Tube Screamer boost, you can absolutely turn heads at a local open mic night.
Final Verdict: Preset "Guitar Rig 5 Avenged Sevenfold" is a gateway drug. It will teach you about gain staging, parallel processing, and EQ. It won’t make you Synyster Gates. But for $0 (if you already own the software), it’s a hell of a fun way to pretend you are playing The Stage.
Do you have a favorite GR5 patch for metal? Share your signal chain in the comments below.
To capture the signature Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) sound in Guitar Rig 5
, you need to emulate the high-gain, mid-focused "British-voiced" roar favored by Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance. Their tone is defined by tight low-end, aggressive but smooth mids, and clear high-end detail, typically achieved using amps like the Marshall JCM800 Bogner Uberschall , or their signature Schecter Hellwin Creating the A7X Preset in Guitar Rig 5 1. The Amplifier Selection
The foundation of the A7X sound is a high-gain head that retains clarity. Lead 800 (Marshall JCM800 Emulation): preset guitar rig 5 avenged sevenfold
This is the classic choice for their early and mid-era sound. It provides the necessary mid-range punch. Marshall Plexi
Use this if you are aiming for a more classic rock-tinged tone, though it may require a boost pedal to reach modern metal gain levels. Gratifier (Mesa/ Boogie Rectifier Emulation):
While A7X leans British, they have used Rectifiers for their massive low-end and "sludgy" palm mutes. 2. The Cabinet (Control Room) 4x12 Vintage 30: This is the industry standard for A7X-style metal. Use the Control Room Matched Cabinet module and select a 4x12 cab with Vintage 30 Mic Placement: Use a dynamic mic (like the
emulation) placed slightly off-axis for a balance of bite and body. 3. Signal Chain & Essential Components Noise Gate:
Place this at the very beginning of your chain. A7X riffs often feature sudden stops that must be dead silent. Skreamer ( Ibanez Tube Screamer Emulation): the amp. Set the Tone to 5-6 Volume/Level to 10
. This "tightens" the amp’s low end and adds a mid-hump that helps solos cut through the mix. EQ (Solid EQ or Graphic EQ):
Aim for a "balanced" curve. Avoid "scooping" the mids entirely. 7 (for that Synyster Gates "honk") Delay & Reverb: Twin Delay and a small amount of Studio Hall
reverb, but only for lead parts. Keep rhythm tracks dry for maximum tightness. Guitar & Performance Tips Drop D Tuning: Avenged Sevenfold solos are drenched in stereo delay
Most A7X tracks (like "Unholy Confessions" or "Bat Country") are in (D-A-D-G-B-E). Passive Pickups:
The band famously prefers high-output passive pickups, such as the Seymour Duncan Invader (Synyster) or Seymour Duncan JB (Zacky), over active pickups. Picking Technique:
Much of the "tone" comes from aggressive down-picking and precise palm muting.
For pre-made options, you can often find user-created "A7X" or "Synyster Gates" presets on community forums like the Native Instruments User Library or sites like GuitarPatches.com City of Evil
How to get avenged sevenfolds tone? - Synner Official Website 4 Jan 2018 —
There are no official "Avenged Sevenfold" presets installed by default in Guitar Rig 5, and copying settings from a picture manually can be tedious.
Below is a ready-to-use text block formatted specifically for Guitar Rig 5. You can copy the code below, save it as a text file, and load it directly into the plugin.
This preset is designed to capture the "City of Evil" / "Nightmare" era tone: a high-gain heavy metal sound with a tight low end, scooped mids, and crisp highs, utilizing the Van 51 amp model (modeled after a Peavey 5150, which is Synyster Gates' primary amp). Reverb: Reverb Springs or Hall of Fame
Would you like a step-by-step screenshot guide or an exportable .ngrr preset file as well?
For nearly two decades, Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) has defined the modern heavy metal landscape. From the crushing rhythms of Waking the Fallen to the orchestral grandeur of The Stage, guitarists Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance have crafted a sound that is instantly recognizable: harmonized leads, massive low-end chunk, and searing, lyrical solos.
But replicating that sound is expensive. The duo is known for using high-end gear: Schecter guitars, Seymour Duncan Invaders, and a wall of massive amps like the Marshall JCM800, Peavey 5150, and the legendary Randall Thrashers.
Enter Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5. Though it has been succeeded by Guitar Rig 6 and 7, GR5 remains a cult favorite for metal players because of its low CPU usage, intuitive interface, and—most importantly—its ability to mimic complex rigs with surprising accuracy.
In this article, we will break down exactly how to build the perfect preset Guitar Rig 5 for Avenged Sevenfold, covering everything from their City of Evil twang to the Hail to the King thump.
To review these presets fairly, one must understand the target tone. Avenged Sevenfold’s sound is defined by the "Gates/Vengeance" dual-guitar attack. It relies heavily on:
Guitar Rig 5 attempts to emulate this using its internal components, primarily the "Citrus" amp model (based on an Orange Rockerverb) or "Van 51" (Mesa Boogie Mark series) to simulate the high-gain channel.
Avenged Sevenfold’s sound evolved. Here are three specific preset guitar rig 5 avenged sevenfold configurations for different albums.
If you are determined to use GR5 for your A7X tribute band or home recording, here is your roadmap: