While owning a wall of Mesa Boogie Mark IIC+ amps and a vintage Ibanez Tube Screamer is the dream, the reality for most modern players is software. Enter . Despite being a "legacy" product (superseded by Guitar Rig 6 and 7), GR5 remains a secret weapon for thrash metallers due to its raw, unpolished aggression.
The secret to the Metallica "Box" tone is the mid-range scoop. In Guitar Rig 5, use the "Solid EQ" or the standard "Graphic EQ" component immediately after the amplifier. Guitar Rig 5 Metal Preset Metallica Master Of Puppets Box
Even with a perfect digital preset "in a box," your physical setup and execution play a massive role in nailing the Metallica sound: While owning a wall of Mesa Boogie Mark