Song Rig
Jetpacks Was Yes!
Misha Mansoor · Periphery · 2010
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The debut album djent tone — rawer and more aggressive than later recordings. The Axe-Fx Ultra is less refined than the II but the fundamental palm-muted polytonal attack that defined the genre is fully formed. Heavier on the distortion, slightly less scooped.
Signal Chain
- 1PRS Custom 24 or early Ibanez (6-string on parts)
- 2Fractal Audio Axe-Fx Ultra
- 3Maxon OD808 (boost into the Axe-Fx for extra definition)
Amp Settings
Early Periphery tone is slightly less refined — more raw Marshall-into-Mesa energy before the heavily filtered modern djent sound was codified. The OD808 into the front of the Axe-Fx tightens the attack and adds pick definition that would otherwise be lost at high gain.
Technique
How to Play It
The debut album showcases Mansoor's rhythmic intelligence more than technical speed — the riffs are about syncopation and unexpected accent placement rather than sheer velocity. The 6-string sections show a classic rock influence the later djent approach doesn't always reveal.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
6 or 7-string guitar → Maxon OD808 (boss turned up, drive low) → Neural DSP Parallax or Omega Ampworks sim → high-pass at 100Hz in DAW.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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