How to Dial In "Roulette" by System of a Down - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Roulette"
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.
A track on Steal This Album!, released in November 2002 and produced by Rick Rubin and the band, an album of material left over from the Toxicity sessions. Daron Malakian's guitar part is a clean-to-crunchy, melodic riff that mixes rhythmic strumming with a stabbing metal chug. No source available here confirms the guitar, amp or pedal on this recording, so an Ibanez Iceman through a Marshall with a distortion pedal stands in. Use the bridge pickup, medium gain and a crisp pick attack. Tuning isn't documented for this recording.
Common Questions About the "Roulette" Tone
What guitar did System of a Down use on "Roulette"?
The guitar on "Roulette" (released 2002) isn't documented; the Ibanez Iceman IC520 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Roulette" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5.5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7.5. 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 "Roulette" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Roulette" 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.
What pedals are on "Roulette"?
Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Roulette" by System of a Down are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.