How to Get a Bad Omens Guitar Tone with Quad Cortex
Want to get the modern, aggressive guitar tones of Bad Omens using the Neural DSP Quad Cortex?
Bad Omens has developed a distinctive sound that blends modern metalcore, alternative metal, industrial influences, and atmospheric production.
From crushing low-tuned riffs to huge choruses and spacious clean sections, their guitar sound is built around contrast, precision, and carefully controlled distortion.
The challenge is creating a guitar tone that sounds heavy and aggressive without losing clarity or becoming muddy.
With the Quad Cortex, you can build a versatile Bad Omens-inspired setup using high-gain amplifier captures, cabinet IRs, overdrives, modulation, delay, and reverb.
In this guide, we'll explore the amplifier tones worth trying, how to build your signal chain, and how to create both heavy and atmospheric sounds using your Quad Cortex.
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What Makes the Bad Omens Guitar Tone So Distinctive?
Bad Omens combines several different guitar tones and production styles.
The heavy sections feature aggressive, low-tuned guitar sounds, while other parts incorporate atmospheric textures, electronic elements, and melodic arrangements.
Some of the defining characteristics include:
Low-tuned 6-string and 7-string guitars
Tight, aggressive high-gain rhythm tones
Strong low-midrange presence
Controlled bass response
Clear pick attack
Wide, layered guitar production
Atmospheric cleans and effects
Dynamic transitions between heavy and melodic sections
One important characteristic is versatility.
A good Bad Omens-inspired setup should be capable of producing aggressive rhythm tones while also handling cleaner, spacious sections.
Rather than trying to make one amp setting handle everything, it's worth building separate scenes for different parts of a song.
What Amplifiers Should You Use for a Bad Omens-Inspired Tone?
Bad Omens' guitar sound has evolved across different albums and recording approaches.
Their music incorporates a combination of traditional high-gain amplifier sounds, digital processing, and studio production.
There isn't one amplifier that defines every Bad Omens recording.
For Quad Cortex users, several high-gain amplifier captures are worth exploring.
1. Peavey 5150 / EVH 5150 III
The 5150 family is a natural starting point for modern metalcore.
These amplifiers are known for their aggressive gain structure, strong midrange, and tight response.
Try them for:
Low-tuned rhythm guitar
Heavy palm-muted riffs
Aggressive metalcore tones
Modern high-gain lead sounds
A 5150-style capture is a great foundation for building a heavy, modern guitar sound.
2. Fortin Evil Pumpkin
The Fortin Evil Pumpkin is another excellent option for aggressive modern metal.
Its high-gain character makes it useful for tight rhythm tones, heavy riffs, and saturated lead sounds.
Try it if you want an aggressive sound with plenty of attack.
3. Omega Granophyre
The Omega Granophyre is worth exploring for modern metal and metalcore.
It offers an aggressive high-gain character with a tight response and strong articulation.
It's a good option if you want to maintain clarity while playing low-tuned riffs.
4. ENGL Savage
The ENGL Savage is another amplifier worth trying for modern metal.
Its aggressive character and focused response make it useful for heavy rhythm guitar and lead tones.
5. Driftwood Purple Nightmare
If you're looking for a thicker, more saturated high-gain sound, the Driftwood Purple Nightmare is worth experimenting with.
Try it for aggressive rhythm guitar and heavier lead sounds.
These are alternative amplifier choices for building your own Bad Omens-inspired tone, not claims that the band used these exact amplifiers on specific recordings.
How to Get a Bad Omens-Inspired Tone Using Quad Cortex
Once you've selected your amplifier capture, you can build the rest of your signal chain around it.
Here's how I'd approach the setup.
1. Start With a High-Gain Amp Capture
Begin with a capture of a 5150-style amplifier, Fortin Evil Pumpkin, or Omega Granophyre.
Start with the amplifier itself before adding additional processing.
Listen for:
Tight palm mutes
Defined low notes
Strong midrange
Clear pick attack
Enough gain for your playing style
The goal is to find an amplifier that sounds aggressive without becoming overly compressed.
2. Add an Overdrive or Boost
An overdrive can help tighten the low end and improve the attack of a high-gain amplifier.
A Tube Screamer-style overdrive or modern metal boost is a good starting point.
Try these general settings:
Gain: Low
Level: Moderately high
Tone: Adjust to your pickups and cabinet
Bass: Avoid excessive low frequencies
The boost should tighten the amplifier rather than simply add more distortion.
3. Choose the Right Cabinet
The cabinet has a major influence on your final tone.
A 4x12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30-style speakers is a useful starting point for modern metal.
Experiment with different microphone positions and blends to find the right balance of low-end weight, midrange aggression, and high-frequency detail.
If you're using a D.I. capture, you'll need a cabinet IR or cabinet block to complete the sound.
If you're using a full-rig capture, it may already contain cabinet and microphone coloration. Avoid adding another cabinet stage unless you specifically want to experiment.
4. Control the Low End
Low-tuned guitar tones can quickly become muddy if there's too much bass going into the amplifier.
If your palm mutes sound loose, try:
Reducing excessive bass before the amp
Using an appropriate overdrive
Adjusting your cabinet IR
Reducing unnecessary gain
Applying subtle post-capture EQ
Don't try to make the guitar produce all the low-frequency weight in the mix.
The bass guitar and kick drum should provide much of the foundation.
5. Keep the Midrange Present
A strong midrange helps the guitar remain audible in a dense modern metal mix.
Avoid scooping too much of the midrange.
If the tone sounds harsh, make smaller adjustments to the upper mids rather than removing too much of the entire frequency range.
The goal is a guitar tone that sounds aggressive without becoming thin.
How to Create Bad Omens-Style Clean and Atmospheric Tones
One of the most interesting aspects of Bad Omens' sound is the contrast between heavy guitar sections and atmospheric passages.
You don't need to use your high-gain amplifier for every part of a song.
Instead, create a separate clean scene or preset.
1. Start With a Clean Amplifier
Choose a clean amplifier or clean capture with plenty of headroom.
Keep the tone relatively clean so your effects remain clear.
2. Add Chorus or Modulation
Chorus and modulation can help create wider, more atmospheric guitar sounds.
Start with subtle settings and increase the effect until you achieve the movement you're looking for.
3. Add Delay
A delay can create space and depth.
Try a moderate delay time with a few repeats.
For atmospheric sections, experiment with longer delay times and more feedback.
4. Add Reverb
Reverb helps create the spacious guitar sounds associated with modern alternative metal.
Experiment with:
Plate reverb
Hall reverb
Ambient reverb
Longer decay times
Avoid using too much reverb on heavy rhythm guitar. Keep the aggressive tones tight and controlled.
5. Create Separate Quad Cortex Scenes
Organize your sounds into separate scenes so you can switch between them during a performance.
For example:
SceneSoundScene 1Heavy rhythmScene 2Boosted rhythmScene 3Lead guitarScene 4Clean chorusScene 5Ambient delay and reverb
This gives you a versatile setup for modern metalcore and alternative metal.
Recommended Quad Cortex Signal Chains
Here are two starting points for building a Bad Omens-inspired setup.
Heavy Rhythm Chain
Noise Gate
Overdrive / Boost
5150-Style or Fortin Neural Capture
Cabinet IR or Cab Block
Post-EQ
Output
Clean / Ambient Chain
Compressor
Clean Amp or Capture
Chorus / Modulation
Delay
Reverb
Output
You can create separate scenes or presets depending on how you prefer to organize your Quad Cortex setup.
Best Quad Cortex Packs for Bad Omens-Inspired Tones
If you're looking for high-gain captures for modern metalcore and alternative metal, these Strange Angles Music collections are worth checking out.
1. Metal Essential – Quad Cortex Pack
The Metal Essential Quad Cortex Pack is a great starting point for players looking for aggressive modern and classic high-gain amplifier tones.
It includes:
15 D.I. amp captures
6 amp and cabinet captures
Approximately 12 D.I. overdrive captures
Featured amplifiers include:
EVH 5150 III
ENGL Savage
ENGL Powerball
Marshall JVM
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
The collection also includes overdrive captures from Horizon Devices, Maxon, and Fortin.
Best for: Modern metalcore, alternative metal, heavy rhythm guitar, and aggressive lead tones.
Explore Metal Essential – Quad Cortex Pack →
2. Quad Cortex – Everything Pack
If you want a much larger selection of amplifier captures, the Quad Cortex Everything Pack includes over 150 D.I. and studio captures.
Featured amplifiers include:
Fortin Evil Pumpkin
Fortin Meshuggah 2.0
Omega Ampworks Granophyre
Omega Ampworks Obsidian 1.5
RedSeven Duality
RedSeven Leviathan
Dover DA 50
Driftwood Purple Nightmare
Randall Satan
Science Hellhawk
Science Mother
Fryette Deliverance
EVH 5150 III
ENGL Savage
ENGL Powerball
Marshall JVM
Dimebag Darrell Warhead Mini
It also includes preamp captures, overdrives, and additional amplifier tones.
Best for: Guitarists who want a wide selection of modern and classic high-gain amplifiers in one collection.
Explore Quad Cortex Everything Pack →
How to Make Your Bad Omens-Inspired Tone Sound Better in a Mix
A great guitar tone by itself doesn't always translate into a great recorded guitar tone.
Modern metal production relies on the relationship between guitars, bass, drums, vocals, and electronic elements.
Here are a few practical tips.
Double-Track Your Rhythm Guitars
Record two separate performances of the same rhythm part.
Pan one performance left and the other right.
This creates natural stereo width and makes the guitars sound much bigger.
Avoid simply duplicating one recorded performance.
Keep the Low End Controlled
Low-tuned guitars already produce substantial low-frequency energy.
Avoid excessive bass in your guitar signal.
Let the bass guitar provide additional low-frequency weight while the guitars focus on attack, definition, and midrange.
Use Different Tones for Different Sections
Don't force one high-gain preset to handle every part of a song.
Use separate scenes for:
Heavy rhythm guitar
Lead guitar
Clean guitar
Atmospheric textures
This gives you much more control over the dynamics of a performance.
Don't Overdo the Gain
Excessive distortion can reduce note separation and make complex riffs sound less precise.
Start with enough gain to get the aggression you want, then adjust based on how the guitar performs alongside the drums and bass.
Make Room for the Vocals
Modern metal and alternative metal mixes can become crowded quickly.
Avoid excessive upper-midrange buildup that competes with the vocal.
A balanced guitar tone will sound heavier and more professional once everything is playing together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amplifier does Bad Omens use?
Bad Omens' guitar sounds have involved different recording and live setups. Their tones should not be reduced to one amplifier or one preset.
For a similar modern high-gain character, 5150-style amplifiers and other aggressive high-gain captures are useful starting points.
Can I get a Bad Omens guitar tone with Quad Cortex?
Yes. You can use high-gain Neural Captures, cabinet IRs, and effects to build your own Bad Omens-inspired guitar tones.
Your guitar, tuning, amplifier capture, cabinet, and signal chain will all influence the final sound.
What tuning does Bad Omens use?
Bad Omens uses different tunings depending on the song. Drop A and other low tunings are useful starting points for exploring some of their heavier guitar parts.
Always check the tuning of the specific song you're learning.
Do I need a 7-string guitar?
A 7-string guitar is useful for many low-tuned modern metal parts, but you don't necessarily need one for every Bad Omens-inspired tone.
A baritone guitar or appropriately set up 6-string can also work.
Should I use an overdrive with a 5150-style capture?
An overdrive can help tighten the low end and change the amplifier's response. Start with the capture by itself, then experiment with a boost if you want a tighter attack.
Can I create both heavy and clean tones with Quad Cortex?
Absolutely. You can create separate scenes or presets for heavy rhythm, leads, cleans, and atmospheric effects.
Do I need a cabinet IR with a Quad Cortex D.I. capture?
Generally, yes. D.I. amp captures need a cabinet stage to complete the guitar tone. You can use a cabinet IR or a suitable cabinet block.
Full-rig captures may already include cabinet and microphone coloration.
Final Thoughts
Bad Omens' guitar sound combines aggressive modern metal tones with atmospheric textures and melodic dynamics.
The key to building a similar setup with Quad Cortex is versatility.
Start with a high-gain amplifier capture, keep the low end controlled, choose a suitable cabinet, and create separate scenes for heavy and clean sounds.
With the right captures and signal chain, you can build a powerful modern metalcore setup capable of handling everything from crushing rhythm guitar to spacious atmospheric passages.
Find Your Next Quad Cortex Guitar Tone
Explore the Strange Angles Music Quad Cortex collection and discover professionally captured amplifiers for modern metal, metalcore, alternative metal, and more.