How to Dial In "Darker Times" by In Flames - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Darker Times"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Sounds of a Playground Fading (2011). Sounds of a Playground Fading is the tenth studio album by Swedish heavy metal band In Flames, released on 15 June 2011. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an ESP E-II Eclipse through a Peavey 5150, the rig we use for In Flames' other songs from Sounds of a Playground Fading, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it in drop A♯ (A♯ F A♯ D♯ G C).
Common Questions About the "Darker Times" Tone
What guitar did In Flames use on "Darker Times"?
The guitar on "Darker Times" (released 2011) isn't documented; the ESP E-II Eclipse above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. The track is in Drop A♯ (A♯ F A♯ D♯ G C), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Darker Times" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7.5, Bass 6, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Darker Times" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Darker Times" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Darker Times" by In Flames are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.