How to Get a Meshuggah Guitar Tone with NAM A2
Want to get that crushing, tight, aggressive Meshuggah-inspired guitar tone? The sound of Swedish metal pioneers Meshuggah has influenced generations of guitarists, helping shape the modern djent and progressive metal sound.
From extremely low tunings and percussive palm mutes to aggressive high-gain amplification, their guitar tone is built around precision, clarity, and sheer impact.
One amplifier particularly associated with their sound is the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0, a signature amplifier designed by Mike Fortin for Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström.
With Neural Amp Modeler A2, you can explore captures of this amplifier and build your own Meshuggah-inspired guitar tone without needing the original amplifier.
In this guide, we'll look at the equipment and tonal characteristics behind the sound, how to recreate the general approach using NAM A2, and which Strange Angles Music captures are worth exploring.
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What Makes the Meshuggah Guitar Tone So Distinctive?
Meshuggah's guitar sound is recognizable for several reasons:
Extremely low guitar tunings
Tight, aggressive high-gain amplification
Strong midrange presence
Precise, percussive palm mutes
Clear note separation
Controlled low-frequency response
The goal isn't simply to create the heaviest possible distortion. The guitar needs to remain articulate enough to make complex rhythmic patterns sound powerful and precise.
This is especially important when playing extended-range guitars and heavily syncopated riffs.
Meshuggah's sound has also evolved over the years. Their recorded tones have involved different amplifiers and combinations rather than one permanent setup. That gives you several ways to approach a similar tonal character.
The Fortin Meshuggah 2.0: The Signature Amp Behind the Sound
The Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 is one of the most recognizable amplifiers associated with the band's modern high-gain sound.
Designed by Mike Fortin in collaboration with Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström, the signature 50-watt amplifier was developed to deliver aggressive distortion while maintaining the tightness and articulation needed for extended-range guitar playing.
Its characteristics make it an interesting starting point for players chasing:
Tight, aggressive rhythm tones
Heavy palm-muted riffs
Strong midrange definition
High-gain saturation
Clear articulation in low tunings
The amplifier was designed with extreme metal guitarists in mind, combining substantial gain with the response needed for precise playing.
If you're trying to recreate a Meshuggah-inspired tone, this is one of the most logical amplifier captures to start with.
How to Get a Meshuggah-Inspired Tone Using NAM A2
You don't need to own the original Fortin amplifier to explore its tonal characteristics.
With a compatible NAM A2 player, you can load a capture of the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 and use it as the foundation of your guitar tone.
Here's how to approach the setup.
1. Start With a Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 Capture
Begin with a capture of the signature amplifier.
The Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 is designed around the aggressive, tight response associated with modern extreme metal.
Start with the capture before making major EQ adjustments. Listen to how it responds to your guitar, pickups, and playing technique.
2. Use an Appropriate Guitar and Tuning
Extended-range guitars are strongly associated with Meshuggah's sound.
An 8-string guitar is a natural starting point, but you can also experiment with 7-string guitars and lower tunings.
The important thing is maintaining enough clarity and note separation for the riffs to remain articulate.
3. Tighten the Low End
One of the most important parts of this style is controlling the low frequencies.
If your palm mutes sound loose or muddy, try:
Reducing excessive bass
Using a suitable overdrive or boost before the amp capture
Checking your cabinet IR
Reducing unnecessary gain
Making sure your guitar input isn't clipping
Avoid automatically increasing the bass to make the guitar sound heavier. The bass guitar and kick drum need room in the mix too.
4. Focus on Midrange Definition
A strong midrange helps the guitar remain audible in a dense metal mix.
Rather than scooping out all the mids, experiment with a balanced midrange that preserves the attack and body of each note.
The goal is a powerful guitar sound that doesn't disappear once the bass and drums enter.
5. Keep the Gain Under Control
More distortion doesn't necessarily mean a heavier tone.
Excessive gain can reduce note separation and make fast rhythmic patterns sound less precise.
Start with a moderate high-gain setting and increase it only as needed.
6. Choose the Right Cabinet IR
If you're using a D.I. NAM capture, you'll generally need a cabinet IR to complete the guitar signal chain.
Experiment with different cabinet and microphone combinations.
A Vintage 30-style cabinet is a useful starting point for modern metal, but other speakers and microphone positions can produce excellent results.
If you're using a full-rig capture that already includes cabinet and microphone coloration, avoid adding another cabinet stage unless you specifically want to experiment with the sound.
Other Amplifiers Worth Exploring for a Meshuggah-Inspired Tone
Although the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 is the obvious starting point, there are other amplifier designs worth exploring.
Meshuggah's recorded tones have included a variety of amplifiers over the years, including Mesa/Boogie Rectifiers, modified Marshall amplifiers, Randall Satan amplifiers, and other high-gain designs.
Here are some additional captures available in Strange Angles Music collections.
Fortin Evil Pumpkin
A strong option for aggressive, saturated modern metal tones.
Try this amplifier if you want a different high-gain character while maintaining the tight response needed for heavy rhythm playing.
Randall Satan
Known for its aggressive high-gain character, the Randall Satan is another interesting choice for low-tuned rhythm guitar.
Omega Granophyre
A boutique high-gain amplifier worth exploring for punchy, aggressive rhythm tones and modern metal applications.
Omega Obsidian 1.5
Another modern high-gain option that gives you a different tonal character from the Fortin amplifiers.
Driftwood Purple Nightmare
A great option to experiment with if you're looking for a thick, aggressive, saturated guitar sound.
These aren't all intended to reproduce one specific Meshuggah recording. They're alternative amplifier tones that can help you explore similar modern metal characteristics.
Best NAM A2 Packs for Meshuggah-Inspired Tones
If you're looking for the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 and other aggressive high-gain captures, these Strange Angles Music collections are worth checking out.
1. Metal Heads – NAM A2
The Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection is built around modern high-gain amplification and aggressive metal tones.
It includes:
54 D.I. amp captures
3 full-rig captures
Fortin Meshuggah 2.0
Fortin Evil Pumpkin
Omega Granophyre
Omega Obsidian 1.5
Driftwood Purple Nightmare
Dover DA 50
RedSeven Leviathan
MLC S_ZERO 93 Silenoz
Additional preamp and overdrive captures
The collection gives you a wide range of amplifier characters to experiment with rather than limiting you to a single high-gain sound.
Best for: Djent, progressive metal, modern metal, metalcore, low-tuned rhythm guitar, and aggressive lead tones.
2. NAM Everything Pack
If you want an even broader selection of amplifier captures, the NAM Everything Pack includes nearly 100 D.I. and studio profiles.
Featured amplifiers include:
Fortin Meshuggah 2.0
Fortin Evil Pumpkin
Omega Granophyre
Omega Obsidian 1.5
Driftwood Purple Nightmare
Dover DA 50
RedSeven Leviathan
MLC S_ZERO 93 Silenoz
Dimebag Darrell Warhead Mini
It also includes preamps, overdrives, and additional amplifier captures.
Best for: Guitarists who want a larger library of high-gain and alternative amplifier tones.
How to Make Your Meshuggah-Inspired Tone Sound Better in a Mix
Getting a great sound in isolation is only part of the process.
For modern metal, your guitar tone needs to work with bass, drums, and the rest of the arrangement.
Here are a few practical tips.
Don't Overload the Low Frequencies
A huge low end might sound impressive when playing alone, but it can quickly compete with the bass guitar and kick drum.
Keep the guitar focused and let the bass provide the additional low-frequency weight.
Double-Track Your Rhythm Guitars
For a wide modern metal rhythm sound, record two separate performances of the same guitar part.
Pan one performance left and the other right.
Avoid simply duplicating the same recorded performance. Two separate takes create more natural stereo width.
Use Less Gain Than You Think
Heavy distortion can sound powerful, but too much gain can reduce clarity.
Try lowering the gain until individual notes and rhythmic details become easier to hear.
Pay Attention to Pick Attack
A precise picking technique is an important part of this sound.
The amplifier capture can help, but consistent picking, muting, and timing are equally important.
Test Your Tone With Bass and Drums
Always evaluate your final tone in the full mix.
Listen for:
Clear palm mutes
Defined low notes
Strong midrange
Tight rhythmic response
Separation between guitar and bass
The goal is a guitar tone that sounds massive without becoming muddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amplifier does Meshuggah use?
Meshuggah has used different amplifiers throughout its career, including Mesa/Boogie Rectifiers, Randall Satan, modified Marshall amplifiers, Fractal Audio modeling, and the Fortin Meshuggah signature amplifier.
The exact setup varies between recordings, eras, and live performances.
What is the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0?
The Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 is a 50-watt signature tube amplifier designed by Mike Fortin in collaboration with Meshuggah guitarists Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström.
It was designed to deliver aggressive high-gain tones while maintaining the articulation needed for extreme metal.
Can I get a Meshuggah guitar tone with NAM A2?
Yes. You can use compatible NAM A2 captures of the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 as a starting point for building a Meshuggah-inspired guitar tone.
Your guitar, tuning, cabinet IR, and signal chain will all influence the final result.
Is the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 included in the Metal Heads NAM A2 pack?
Yes. The Metal Heads NAM A2 Collection includes Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 captures alongside other high-gain amplifiers.
Do I need an 8-string guitar?
No. An 8-string guitar is closely associated with Meshuggah's sound, but you can experiment with 7-string guitars and other low tunings.
Should I use an overdrive with the Fortin Meshuggah capture?
An overdrive or boost can help tighten the low end and change the response of the amplifier. Experiment with your signal chain rather than assuming an additional boost is always necessary.
Do I need a cabinet IR with a NAM capture?
It depends on the capture. D.I. amp captures generally need a cabinet IR, while full-rig captures may already include cabinet and microphone coloration.
Can I use these NAM A2 captures for other styles of metal?
Absolutely. The Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 and other high-gain captures can also be useful for djent, progressive metal, metalcore, and other aggressive guitar styles.
Final Thoughts
The Meshuggah guitar sound is built around precision, aggression, and clarity. While the band's tones have evolved over the years, the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0 remains one of the most recognizable amplifier designs associated with their sound.
With NAM A2, you can explore captures of this amplifier and experiment with other boutique high-gain options without needing the original hardware.
Start with the Fortin Meshuggah 2.0, choose a suitable cabinet IR, keep the low end controlled, and focus on articulation rather than simply adding more gain.
The result can be a powerful starting point for your own Meshuggah-inspired modern metal tone.
Build Your Own Modern Metal Guitar Tone
Explore the Strange Angles Music NAM A2 collection and discover professionally captured high-gain amplifiers for djent, progressive metal, metalcore, and more.