Best NAM A2 Metal Tones: The Best NAM Packs for Modern Metal
Looking for aggressive, tight, and mix-ready guitar tones using Neural Amp Modeler A2? The latest generation of NAM captures gives guitarists access to an impressive selection of high-gain amplifiers, boutique amp designs, and professionally captured signal chains.
Whether you're playing modern metal, metalcore, djent, progressive metal, or low-tuned rhythm guitar, choosing the right amp capture can make a major difference in your sound.
But with so many NAM profiles available, where should you start?
In this guide, we'll look at some of the best NAM A2 metal tones and amp captures available from Strange Angles Music, including boutique amplifiers, signature high-gain tones, and complete capture collections.
Looking for Great Tones?
Explore professionally captured NAM A2 amp profiles featuring some of the most aggressive boutique amplifiers in modern metal.
What Makes a Great NAM A2 Metal Tone?
A great modern metal tone needs more than just high gain. The best captures balance aggression, clarity, tightness, and note definition.
When looking for NAM A2 profiles for modern metal, consider these characteristics:
Tight low end: Keeps palm-muted riffs punchy without excessive bass buildup.
Aggressive midrange: Helps guitars cut through dense mixes.
Clear pick attack: Preserves articulation during fast riffs and complex rhythms.
Controlled high frequencies: Prevents excessive fizz and harshness.
Dynamic response: Allows the amplifier to react naturally to your playing.
The amplifier itself is only part of the equation. Your guitar, pickups, tuning, overdrive settings, cabinet IR, and recording chain all influence the final result.
The advantage of NAM A2 is that it gives you another way to explore captured amplifier tones while taking advantage of its newer modeling architecture.
Best NAM A2 Metal Capture Collections
If you want a large selection of professionally captured high-gain amplifiers, these are two collections worth exploring.
1. Metal Heads – NAM A2 Capture Collection
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<text weight="medium" color="secondary" size="sm">Strange Angles Music · $86.00</text>
The Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection is built specifically for players chasing aggressive modern metal tones.
It brings together some of the boutique high-gain amplifiers that have become favorites among modern metal guitarists, along with preamps and overdrives used to shape and tighten the sound.
What's included:
54 D.I. amp captures
3 full-rig captures
Fortin Evil Pumpkin
Fortin Meshuggah 2.0
Omega Granophyre
Omega Obsidian 1.5
Driftwood Purple Nightmare
Dover DA 50
RedSeven Leviathan
MLC S_ZERO 93 Silenoz
Fortin Natas preamp
Airis Effects Nemesis preamp
Multiple Fortin, Maxon, Abasi, and other overdrive captures
The D.I. captures give you flexibility to build your own signal chains using your preferred IRs and effects. The full-rig captures provide ready-to-play tones using the captured rig.
Best for: Modern metal, metalcore, djent, progressive metal, low-tuned rhythm guitar, and aggressive lead tones.
2. Sonic Assault – Atlas NAM A2
<text weight="medium" color="secondary" size="sm">Strange Angles Music · $49.99</text>
If you're looking for a focused collection built around a powerful boutique high-gain amplifier, the Sonic Assault Atlas NAM A2 Pack is another excellent option.
Captured by Phil Pluskota of Sonic Assault Studios, this pack features the Driftwood Nightmare Atlas 180, the signature amplifier associated with Mark Lewis.
The Atlas is known for its aggressive high-gain character, tight response, substantial low end, and clear articulation.
What's included:
30 A2 full-rig captures
30 A2 D.I. amp captures
Driftwood Nightmare Atlas 180
Creamback 75 speaker cabinet used for the full-rig captures
Shure SM57 and Austrian Audio OC16 microphone blend
Multiple overdrive combinations
The overdrives used in the full-rig captures include the Spline Labe Archangel, Spooky Vibes Night Terror, Heretic Bone Remover, Peppers Dirty Tree, Boss MT-2, Fortin Tempest, and others.
Best for: Modern metal, aggressive rhythm tones, low tunings, heavy recording, and players who want a focused selection of Atlas amplifier captures.
Explore Sonic Assault Atlas NAM A2 →
Which NAM A2 Amp Tones Are Best for Different Metal Styles?
Different amplifiers have different tonal characteristics. Here are some starting points from the Strange Angles Music capture collections.
Best for Modern Metal and Metalcore
Fortin Evil Pumpkin
A strong choice for aggressive modern high-gain tones. Look for tight palm mutes, defined pick attack, and a focused midrange when building your rhythm sound.
Omega Granophyre
A boutique high-gain option worth exploring for modern metal rhythms and aggressive lead tones.
RedSeven Leviathan
Another high-gain amplifier option for players looking for powerful, articulate tones.
Best for Djent and Progressive Metal
Fortin Meshuggah 2.0
A natural starting point for players chasing aggressive, tightly controlled modern metal tones and complex rhythmic riffs.
Omega Obsidian 1.5
A versatile high-gain option for players who want an aggressive tone with room to shape the final response using EQ and cabinet IRs.
Driftwood Purple Nightmare
An excellent amplifier family to explore for heavy, saturated modern metal tones.
Best for Heavy Rhythm and Low Tunings
Dover DA 50
Worth exploring for players who want a different high-gain character alongside the more familiar modern metal amplifiers.
Driftwood Nightmare Atlas 180
A strong candidate for low-tuned rhythm guitar where punch, aggression, and note separation are important.
MLC S_ZERO 93 Silenoz
Another boutique high-gain option included in the Metal Heads collection.
These are suggested starting points, not universal rankings. Your pickups, tuning, playing style, and cabinet setup will affect which capture works best.
D.I. Captures vs. Full-Rig Captures: Which Should You Use?
One of the biggest advantages of professionally created NAM packs is having access to different types of captures.
Understanding the difference helps you choose the right model for your setup.
D.I. Amp Captures
D.I. captures represent the amplifier without the complete speaker-and-microphone recording chain.
They are useful when you want to build your own tone using:
Your preferred guitar cabinet IR
Different microphone combinations
Overdrive pedals
EQ and other effects
Your own signal-chain configuration
If you enjoy experimenting with different cabinet IRs, D.I. captures offer considerable flexibility.
Full-Rig Captures
Full-rig captures include more of the original recording chain, typically including the cabinet and microphone coloration.
They provide a more complete starting tone and can be useful when you want to load a capture and start playing without building the entire rig yourself.
Which is better?
Neither is automatically better. D.I. captures provide more flexibility, while full-rig captures can make it easier to get close to a professionally recorded sound.
How to Get the Best Sound From NAM A2
Once you've found a capture you like, a few adjustments can help you get the best results.
1. Start With the Right Capture
Choose an amplifier that suits your playing style. Don't automatically choose the highest-gain option.
A tighter amplifier with less saturation may provide better note separation for fast modern metal riffs.
2. Choose the Right Cabinet IR
If you're using a D.I. capture, pair it with a suitable cabinet IR.
Different speakers and microphone positions can dramatically change the final sound. Try a few options before making major EQ adjustments.
3. Keep Your Input Level Under Control
Your guitar's input level affects how the capture responds.
Avoid clipping your audio interface input. Start with a healthy signal and adjust the capture's input and output levels as needed.
4. Experiment With Overdrives
A boost or overdrive before a high-gain amplifier can help tighten the low end and change the way the amplifier responds.
Captures made with different overdrive combinations can give you additional tonal options.
5. Compare A2-Full and A2-Lite
Compatible NAM A2 players can offer different model sizes.
A2-Full is designed for maximum accuracy, while A2-Lite uses fewer processing resources. Compare both when your software supports them and choose based on your sound and CPU requirements.
6. Test Your Tone in a Mix
A tone that sounds massive on its own may not work as well alongside bass and drums.
Listen for:
Palm-mute definition
Low-frequency buildup
Midrange clarity
Pick attack
Note separation
A tight, controlled guitar tone will often work better in a dense metal mix than one with excessive bass and gain.
What Software Can You Use to Play NAM A2?
The free TONE3000 Plugin, also known as NAM Gateway, provides a convenient way to browse and play NAM A2 captures on your computer.
It supports A2-Full and A2-Lite models, and can also load compatible impulse responses.
You can use it as a plugin in a supported DAW or as a standalone application.
Visit the official TONE3000 website for the latest download and setup instructions.
If you plan to use NAM A2 on hardware, make sure your specific device and firmware support A2. Original NAM compatibility does not automatically guarantee A2 compatibility.
Special Offer for Existing Strange Angles NAM Customers
Already purchased NAM profiles from Strange Angles Music?
We have a special offer for existing NAM customers who want to upgrade to the Metal Heads NAM A2 Capture Collection.
Previously purchased any Strange Angles NAM pack? Contact us for an exclusive discounted price.
Own the NAM Everything Pack? You can claim the Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection for free.
To claim your offer, email strangeanglesmusic@gmail.com with your previous order number, checkout email address, or the name associated with your purchase.
We'll verify your order and send you the appropriate offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best NAM A2 profiles for modern metal?
The Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection is a strong starting point. It includes captures of Fortin Evil Pumpkin, Fortin Meshuggah 2.0, Omega Granophyre, Omega Obsidian 1.5, Driftwood Purple Nightmare, and other boutique high-gain amplifiers.
Are NAM A2 captures better than original NAM captures?
A2 was developed to improve modeling accuracy and processing efficiency. However, the quality of an individual capture and how well it suits your tone are still important. A great original NAM capture can remain an excellent choice.
Can I use NAM A2 for djent and metalcore?
Yes. High-gain A2 captures are suitable for experimenting with djent, metalcore, progressive metal, and other heavy styles.
Do NAM A2 profiles include cabinet IRs?
Some captures are D.I. amp captures, while others are full-rig captures that include cabinet and microphone coloration. Check the individual pack description to see exactly what is included.
Can I use NAM A2 with TONE3000 Gateway?
Yes. The TONE3000 Plugin supports NAM A2-Full and A2-Lite models. It can also load compatible IR files.
Can I use NAM A2 on hardware modelers?
Only on devices with an implementation that supports A2. Check the manufacturer's current firmware and compatibility information before purchasing.
How many captures are included in the Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection?
The collection includes 54 D.I. captures and 3 full-rig captures.
Is the Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection free for existing customers?
Existing Strange Angles NAM customers can request an exclusive discounted price. Customers who own the NAM Everything Pack can claim the Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection for free by contacting Strange Angles Music with their order details.
Final Thoughts
NAM A2 gives guitarists another powerful way to explore professionally captured high-gain amplifiers.
If you're chasing modern metal, metalcore, djent, or aggressive low-tuned rhythm tones, the right amp capture can provide a great starting point for your sound.
The Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection offers a broad selection of boutique high-gain amplifiers, preamps, and overdrives, while the Sonic Assault Atlas NAM A2 Pack delivers a focused collection built around the Driftwood Nightmare Atlas 180.
Explore the captures, experiment with different tones, and find the sound that works best for your music.
Find Your Next Modern Metal Tone
Explore the Strange Angles Music NAM collection and discover professionally captured high-gain amplifiers built for aggressive modern guitar tones.