Real AmpTuning: Drop DPickup: BridgeHigh GainMetalDrop D
Absolution Vocoder Metal — Drop-D Diezel Assault
Bellamy confirmed Drop-D tuning and a Diezel head through a Soldano cabinet as the core Absolution guitar sound. Producer Rich Costey additionally processed the recorded guitar through modular-synth/vocoder techniques, creating the dense mechanical edge behind the riff; exact controls are approximated. Source: Total Guitar’s 2003 Matt Bellamy interview and Sound on Sound’s Rich Costey feature.
Signal Chain
Manson 007-style guitar→Diezel VH4→Soldano 4x12→Nord Modular Vocoder Layer→Output
GuitarManson 007-style guitar
Tone
10
PickupBridge
TuningDrop D
Volume
10
AmpDiezel VH4
Bass
3.5
Gain
7
Mids
8
Master
7
Treble
6
Channel3
Presence
6
Cab / IRSoldano 4x12
MicMultiple close microphones
Mic PositionDynamic at cap edge with ribbon and condenser blend
EffectNord Modular Vocoder Layer
Attack4
Release5
Synth Mix3
Filter Resonance6
Notes
Keep the amplifier bass lower than expected and pick very hard. Blend the synth-processed layer beneath the real guitar so it adds machinery without removing string attack.
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See the same signal chain mapped to another platform. Knob values carry over as starting points — gain ranges differ between platforms.