How to Get an Architects Guitar Tone with Quad Cortex

Want to get the crushing, tight, aggressive guitar tones of Architects using the Neural DSP Quad Cortex?

Architects helped shape modern metalcore with their combination of low-tuned guitars, powerful breakdowns, melodic riffs, atmospheric effects, and polished production.

From the aggressive guitar tones of Lost Forever // Lost Together and All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us to the massive production of Holy Hell and For Those That Wish to Exist, the band's sound has evolved while maintaining a distinctive heavy guitar character.

The good news is that you can build a similar tone using the Quad Cortex and professionally captured high-gain amplifiers.

In this guide, we'll explore the amplifiers associated with Architects, recommended Quad Cortex signal chains, low-tuning techniques, and the best captures to try.

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What Makes the Architects Guitar Tone So Distinctive?

Architects' guitar sound combines aggression with clarity.

Their riffs often feature extremely low tunings, fast palm-muted patterns, melodic chord voicings, and powerful rhythmic stops.

Key characteristics include:

  • Tight, aggressive high-gain distortion

  • Low-tuned guitars with strong string definition

  • Punchy, percussive palm mutes

  • Strong midrange presence

  • Controlled bass response

  • Layered rhythm guitars

  • Atmospheric delay and reverb

  • Occasional octave and pitch effects

The goal is to create a guitar tone that sounds massive without becoming muddy.

This is especially important with extremely low tunings, where excessive gain and bass can quickly reduce note clarity.

What Amplifiers Have Architects Used?

One of the best starting points is understanding the band's documented amplifier setups.

Former Architects guitarist Josh Middleton has discussed using Peavey 5150 and 6505-family amplifiers, often with a Maxon OD-808 overdrive and Mesa/Boogie cabinet.

For For Those That Wish to Exist, Middleton described a Kemper tone based on a Peavey 6505+ with a Maxon OD-808 into an oversized Mesa/Boogie cabinet miked with an SM57.

The band's earlier recordings also featured a block-letter 5150 and Victory Kraken.

These are historical examples, rather than a claim about the band's current touring rig.

For Quad Cortex users, a 5150-style capture is an excellent starting point for exploring this guitar sound.

Best Quad Cortex Amplifiers for an Architects-Inspired Tone

1. EVH 5150 III

The EVH 5150 III is one of the most relevant options available in the Strange Angles Music collection.

Although it isn't identical to the original Peavey 5150 or 6505+, it belongs to the broader 5150 amplifier family.

Its aggressive distortion, strong midrange, and tight response make it a great choice for modern metalcore.

Best for: Heavy rhythm guitar, breakdowns, low tunings, and modern metalcore.

2. Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

The Dual Rectifier offers a thick, aggressive high-gain character.

It's worth experimenting with if you want more low-midrange weight and a different response from a 5150-style amplifier.

3. ENGL Savage

The ENGL Savage is a useful option for tight, articulate high-gain rhythm guitar.

Try it for fast riffs, heavy palm mutes, and aggressive lead tones.

4. Fortin Evil Pumpkin

The Fortin Evil Pumpkin is another strong choice for modern metal.

Its aggressive high-gain character makes it useful for low-tuned rhythm guitar and heavy breakdowns.

5. Omega Granophyre

The Omega Granophyre offers a modern high-gain sound with strong articulation.

It's worth trying if you want a different tonal character while maintaining tight low-frequency response.

These amplifiers are recommended alternatives for building an Architects-inspired tone, not a list of amplifiers used on every Architects recording.

How to Get an Architects Guitar Tone Using Quad Cortex

Step 1: Start With a 5150-Style Capture

Load an EVH 5150 III Neural Capture into your Quad Cortex.

Start with a rhythm capture that provides aggressive distortion without excessive saturation.

Listen for:

  • Tight palm mutes

  • Strong pick attack

  • Defined low notes

  • Aggressive midrange

  • Clear chord separation

Avoid adding too many effects before getting the core amplifier tone right.

Step 2: Add a Tube Screamer-Style Boost

A boost is an important part of many classic metalcore guitar setups.

Josh Middleton has described using a Maxon OD-808 to tighten the response of his high-gain amplifiers.

Try these starting settings:

  • Drive: 0–1 out of 10

  • Tone: 4–6 out of 10

  • Level: 6–8 out of 10

These are suggested starting points, not exact settings for a particular Architects song.

The purpose of the boost is to filter excessive low end before it reaches the amplifier and improve pick attack.

Step 3: Choose a Mesa-Style 4x12 Cabinet

A Mesa/Boogie 4x12 with Vintage 30-style speakers is a strong starting point.

Experiment with an SM57-style microphone position to achieve a focused, aggressive midrange.

For a D.I. capture, add a cabinet IR or Quad Cortex cabinet block.

If you're using a full-rig capture that already includes the cabinet, you generally won't need another cabinet block.

Step 4: Control the Low End

Architects' guitar tones need to remain clear at very low tunings.

Start by controlling excessive bass before the amplifier.

For recorded guitars, experiment with a high-pass filter around 70–100 Hz, adjusting it to suit the tuning and mix.

Avoid removing too much low-frequency information.

The bass guitar should provide much of the deepest weight, allowing the guitars to remain punchy and defined.

Step 5: Keep the Midrange Strong

Don't automatically scoop the mids.

A strong midrange helps the guitar cut through dense drums, bass, vocals, and atmospheric layers.

If the tone sounds harsh, make small adjustments to the upper mids or experiment with a different cabinet IR.

Step 6: Add a Noise Gate

A noise gate helps control unwanted noise between fast riffs and rhythmic stops.

Start with a moderate threshold.

Increase it until unwanted noise is reduced without cutting off sustained notes or natural decay.

Recommended Architects-Inspired Quad Cortex Signal Chain

Heavy Rhythm

  1. Noise Gate

  2. Tube Screamer / Maxon-Style Boost

  3. EVH 5150 III Neural Capture

  4. Mesa-Style 4x12 Cabinet IR

  5. Post-EQ

  6. Output

Atmospheric Lead

  1. Noise Gate

  2. Boost

  3. High-Gain Neural Capture

  4. Cabinet IR

  5. Delay

  6. Reverb

  7. Output

These signal chains are practical starting points. Experiment with the effects order and settings to suit your guitar and playing style.

How to Get Architects-Style Low-Tuned Guitar Sounds

Low tunings are a major part of Architects' sound.

The band has used several tunings across different songs and albums, including C#-based tunings and extremely low G# and F# tunings.

For example, the band's documented touring guitars have included setups for F#, G#, and C# material.

Always check the tuning for the specific song you're learning.

Use Appropriate String Gauges

Extremely low tunings require sufficient string tension.

A heavier string gauge or longer scale length can help maintain note definition.

Keep Your Guitar Properly Set Up

Check your intonation, string action, pickup height, and neck relief.

Poor setup can make low-tuned riffs sound muddy or inconsistent.

Focus on Palm-Muting Technique

Precise palm muting is essential.

Experiment with the position of your picking hand to control how tight or open each note sounds.

Experiment With Octave Effects

Architects has used octave effects to add weight and character to certain guitar parts.

Try a pitch effect in your Quad Cortex when you want to create additional low-frequency impact or unusual textures.

Don't assume every riff requires pitch shifting.

How to Create Architects-Style Ambient Guitar Tones

Architects' music also features atmospheric guitar layers that contrast with the heavy rhythm sections.

For a separate ambient scene, try:

  • Clean amplifier or clean capture

  • Subtle compression

  • Chorus or modulation

  • Stereo delay

  • Hall or ambient reverb

Start with a clean tone that has enough headroom for the effects.

Long delay trails and spacious reverbs can create atmospheric layers behind the main rhythm guitars.

You can organize these sounds into Quad Cortex scenes.

SceneGuitar SoundAHeavy rhythmBBoosted rhythmCLead with delayDClean guitarEAmbient reverb

This gives you flexibility for both live performance and recording.

Best Quad Cortex Packs for Architects-Inspired Tones

1. Metal Essential – Quad Cortex Pack

The Metal Essential Quad Cortex Pack is my first recommendation for this style.

It includes:

  • 15 D.I. amp captures

  • 6 amp-and-cab captures

  • Approximately 12 D.I. overdrive captures

Featured amplifiers:

  • EVH 5150 III

  • ENGL Savage

  • ENGL Powerball

  • Marshall JVM

  • Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

The pack also includes overdrive captures such as the Maxon Apex 808, Horizon Precision Drive, and Fortin Grind.

It features Mesa/Boogie 4x12 and EVH 2x12 cabinet captures.

This makes it a particularly useful collection for experimenting with tight, boosted metalcore tones.

Best for: Architects-inspired metalcore, low-tuned rhythm guitar, aggressive breakdowns, and modern high-gain tones.

Explore Metal Essential – Quad Cortex Pack →

2. Quad Cortex – Everything Pack

For guitarists who want a much larger selection of high-gain amplifiers, the Quad Cortex Everything Pack offers over 150 D.I. and studio captures.

Featured amplifiers include:

  • EVH 5150 III

  • Fortin Evil Pumpkin

  • Fortin Meshuggah 2.0

  • Omega Granophyre

  • Omega Obsidian 1.5

  • Driftwood Purple Nightmare

  • Randall Satan

  • ENGL Savage

  • ENGL Powerball

  • Marshall JVM

  • RedSeven Leviathan

  • Fryette Deliverance

This gives you a wide range of amplifier characters to experiment with when building modern metalcore tones.

Best for: Guitarists who want a broad selection of modern and classic high-gain amplifier captures.

Explore Quad Cortex Everything Pack →

How to Make Your Architects-Inspired Guitar Tone Sound Better in a Mix

Double-Track Your Rhythm Guitars

Record two separate performances of the same rhythm part.

Pan one left and the other right.

This creates natural stereo width and makes the guitars sound much larger.

Use Less Gain Than You Think

Excessive distortion can reduce clarity.

Try lowering the gain until individual notes and palm-muted patterns become easier to hear.

Leave Room for the Bass

Don't try to make the guitar handle all the low-frequency weight.

A well-balanced bass guitar can make the overall mix sound heavier while keeping the guitars tight.

Preserve the Midrange

Aggressive midrange helps low-tuned guitar parts remain audible in a dense mix.

Layer Ambient Guitars Carefully

Atmospheric delay and reverb can add depth, but too much processing can obscure the main rhythm guitars.

Use ambient layers to complement the arrangement rather than overwhelm it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amplifier does Architects use?

Architects has used different amplifiers and modeling systems over the years. Historical recording setups include Peavey 5150 and 6505-family amplifiers, Victory Kraken amplifiers, and Kemper profiling systems.

Can I get an Architects guitar tone with Quad Cortex?

Yes. You can build an Architects-inspired tone using high-gain Neural Captures, overdrives, cabinet IRs, and EQ.

What is the best Quad Cortex capture for an Architects-style tone?

An EVH 5150 III capture is an excellent starting point. The Metal Essential Quad Cortex Pack includes EVH 5150 III captures alongside other high-gain amplifiers.

What tuning does Architects use?

Architects has used multiple tunings, including C#-based tunings and very low G# and F# tunings. The correct tuning depends on the song.

Do I need an overdrive?

Not always, but a Tube Screamer-style boost can help tighten the low end and improve pick attack.

What cabinet should I use?

A Mesa-style 4x12 cabinet with Vintage 30-style speakers is a strong starting point.

Can I create clean and ambient Architects-style sounds with Quad Cortex?

Yes. Use separate scenes or presets with clean amp sounds, delay, reverb, and modulation.

Final Thoughts

Architects' guitar tone combines aggressive high-gain amplification, extremely low tunings, precise playing, and atmospheric production.

The EVH 5150 III is an excellent starting point for exploring this sound with the Quad Cortex.

Pair a high-gain capture with a suitable boost and cabinet, keep the low end controlled, and focus on tight palm muting and strong midrange definition.

With the right captures and signal chain, you can create powerful Architects-inspired guitar tones for modern metalcore, recording, and live performance.

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