Maroon 5 Guitar Tone - James Valentine with Fractal Audio

Set up your Professional Rhythm Tone

Save the Amp and Cab settings to your library and build a preset around the Divided by 13 FTR 37. Set up your effects as you like, go into the Effects Layout Menu on your Foot Controller, and get used to how the amp reacts to drives, the chorus, delays, reverbs, etc. It's easy to get a great lead tone nowadays, but having a good rhythm tone with complete flexibility is going to give you a lot of confidence on stage. 

Important: All the parameters to the individual blocks you'll find in the "Tone Breakdown" chapter. Also, the grid below the current section encloses all the blocks, so, amps, cabs and FXs used in the preset. Besides these blocks, the preset has a Volume Block after the Cab which you might need to set up a Pedal for, a 2 dB optional boost (Filter Block) after the Chorus Block, and, just before OUT 1, an Enhancer Block set to 50% width. 

This signal chain is set to give you 8 Scenes including a Clean, Dumble, Friedman, ODS Lead, Mesa Lead, Andy Clean, an Ambient Clean, and a special Phaser Tone named VIBE. It blends vintage character with modern versatility. To get all this range of possibilities, let us have a look at the signal chain and the individual blocks first before we set up individual Scenes. The signal chain starts with the Input 1 block, where the guitar signal enters, with two channels set to the classic and advanced Gate mode, followed by a Wah block, modeled after the classic Cry Baby pedal. Positioned early in the chain, the wah allows for dynamic, expressive control over the tone before it hits any other effects and is activated by Pedal 1.

James's Wah Hack - Watch from 22:22

Next is the Optical Compressor, which adds smooth, natural compression. The compressor evens out the dynamics when needed, ensuring the signal remains consistent while retaining the natural feel of the guitar. With the tight rhythm licks, the compressor will let you sit in the mix and tidy up the frequencies while slamming the strings.

From there, the signal moves into two Drive blocks. The first is the Full OD, modeled after the Fulltone OCD, which provides a warm, dynamic overdrive perfect for adding some grit to your rhythm or lead tones. The second drive is the FET Boost, a clean boost pedal that amplifies the signal without adding distortion, pushing the amp harder for solos or more intense sections. These two drives can be used individually or try stacking them, offering a wide range of overdriven tones.

The Amp block is paired with several cabinet models to offer a broad and versatile tonal palette. The first amp model is the Divided by 13 FTR 37, a boutique amplifier known for delivering classic '60s and '70s rock tones, perfect for both clean and overdriven sounds with the drive blocks added. It is paired with the Doubleshow + Trem-O-Verb cabinets, a combination of a 2x15 Doubleshow cab and a 2x12 Trem-O-Verb. This setup provides a rich, warm sound with tight low-end, making it ideal for articulate cleans and powerful rock overdriven tones. In the video you'll find James uses this amp a bunch as it fits perfectly to his signature guitar and also allows him to add pre- or post-effects. 

Next, the ODS-100 HRM, based on the Dumble Overdrive Special with the Hot Rubber Monkey (HRM) mod, is known for its smooth, midrange-heavy overdrive. When paired with the Rumble cab (modeled after Cliff’s personal Dumble cab), you probably have one of the best amps in the world at your fingertips, with its expertise in blues and fusion lead tones that need clarity and warmth. The amp can also be paired with the Brit TV cab, adding a British rock flavor to the rich, harmonic overdrive tones of the Dumble amp. This setup is ideal for classic rock and lead tones.

The amps add flexibility to the preset, but, as mentioned earlier, the flexibility is matched to James's special guitar setup with a mix of single-coil and humbucker pickups. If your current guitar doesn't take one of the amps well, try swapping the guitar or adjust the specific amp to your guitar. A workaround is to add a Graphic EQ after the Input Block. 

The third amp, the Friedman BE V1 Fat, with its thickened low-mid response, is paired with the Brit TV cab, which emulates a classic Marshall 4x12 loaded with Celestion Greenbacks. This combination delivers a punchy midrange and a warm, vintage-style rock tone, perfect for players seeking a rich, fat sound for rock and high-gain styles. 

Finally, the USA JP IIC+, based on the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, is paired with the Brit TV cab to produce tight, high-gain tones with a British rock flavor, ideal for both clean tones and heavier, high-gain metal playing. This combination ensures clarity and punch, making it versatile for modern rock tones.

Now comes the VolPan block for volume, allowing for dynamic fades without compromising the tail. It can be controlled by a Pedal which you might need to setup in the modifier control panel. For this exact reason, we further will ignore the Volume Block. Just note that the Volume Block is AFTER the amp and cab and BEFORE the wet effects. This ensures the wet tail is not affected when turning down the volume. Following the Volume block is where the modulation and spatial effects come into play.

The Chorus block is set to the Dimension 2 mode, modeled after the Roland Dimension D. Known for its subtle and spacious modulation, this chorus widens the stereo field and adds depth without overwhelming the core tone. It’s particularly effective for creating lush, clean tones or adding subtle movement to rhythm parts.

After the Chorus block, the Filter block applies a subtle 2 dB boost for the lead tones, ensuring the signal cuts through the mix with a little extra volume. Do make sure you have the headroom to activate this. 

The Phaser block is configured as a Classic Vibe, emulating the legendary Uni-Vibe effect, ackknowledged for its warm, organic sweep. Controlled by the second expression pedal, the rate can be dynamically adjusted during performance, shifting from slow, subtle modulation to faster, more intense sweeps. This phaser is particularly suited for adding vintage-style modulation to both clean and lead tones.

The Delay block is set up across two channels: Channel A is a shorter Analog Stereo delay (375 ms) with a dotted eighth-note tempo, providing a subtle rhythmic echo that adds depth without overwhelming the core tone. Channel B is a longer version of the same delay (750 ms), with a quarter-note dotted tempo, creating more spacious, pronounced echoes that are perfect for ambient passages or slower lead sections. Both channels maintain a moderate mix, keeping the delay as a supporting effect rather than dominating the sound.

Next is the Reverb block, which is set to a Medium Plate reverb on Channel A. This adds a smooth, polished reflection, enhancing the guitar’s presence without overpowering the dry signal. With a 1.45-second decay and a large size setting, this reverb is perfect for filling out the sound while maintaining clarity. The Small Spring reverb on Channel B offers a more textured, lively response, reminiscent of vintage spring reverb tanks, great for adding a retro feel to clean tones. Finally, Channel C features a Medium Room reverb, offering a shorter, tighter ambiance ideal for rhythm playing or more intimate tones.

This is followed by an Enhance block, which further widens the stereo image, adding depth and richness to the overall sound.

The signal then exits through Output 1, sending the processed sound to FOH, your FRFR, or recording setup. Additionally, there’s a Send/Return path in the chain allowing for a longer signal chain.

Overall, this preset offers a powerful combination of vintage warmth and modern clarity. The Cry Baby Wah and Optical Compressor provide dynamic control and balance early in the chain, while the Full OD and FET Boost drive blocks offer a wide range of overdriven tones. The four amps allow all the sounds you will need. The modulation effects - Dimension 2 Chorus and Classic Vibe Phaser - add lush movement, while the Delay and Reverb blocks enhance the sound with rhythmic echoes and spacious reverb. Finally, the subtle 2 dB boost from the Filter ensures the tone stands out in the mix, making this preset ideal for both live performance and studio work, covering a wide range of musical styles.

Signal Path: IN1 A ➔ Comp A ➔ Amp A ➔ Cab A ➔ Rev A ➔ Out1 A

In this Scene, we're diving into James Valentine's signature clean tone. At the heart of this setup is the Divided by 13 FTR 37 amp model, renowned for its boutique charm, combining modern build quality with a tone inspired by classic rock amplifiers. The sound evokes the warmth and richness often associated with vintage amps, making it suitable for genres that span from classic rock to modern indie - the Gain is set to 4.85, providing just enough edge to make it sing without crossing into breakup territory. The Bass, Mid, and Treble controls (set to 5.00, 5.20, and 5.40 respectively) are just subtly tweaked, while the Bright Switch adds that unmistakable sparkle - perfect for intricate picking and expressive chord work. While the amp is not known as a "hyped" amp such as the AC-20, there are some changes in the advanced settings which seem to let the amp shine. Cooper and James have changed the speaker impedance from default to the Marshall style impedance curve in the speaker menu and have added some output compression in the dynamics menu. Compare these settings with the standard amp and if you like it, try changing these settings in your favourite presets, too.

The signal path kicks off at Input 1, set in Advanced Mode with a Threshold of -58.9 dB, expertly managing dynamics to keep the sound consistent yet expressive.

The Optical Compressor, one of the unsung heroes of this tone, is dialed in to polish each note with finesse. With an Attack Time of 2 ms, it catches the initial punch while letting each transient breathe. The Release Time of 88 ms allows the compression to fade out naturally, creating an even sustain that makes every chord shimmer just a little longer - almost like you're playing in a sunlit room where every note has time to glow.

The amp settings are about balance: the Master Volume is cranked to 7.90, pushing the power section for that organic fullness - a sound that fills the room and reacts beautifully to your touch. The Bright Switch is like a secret ingredient; it adds that high-end shimmer, bringing a crisp brightness to the tone, perfect for evocative arpeggios and clean passages reminiscent of iconic '70s and '80s clean guitar sounds.

To complete the sonic landscape, James as chosen a combination of two distinct cabinets. The 2x15 Doubleshow adds depth, giving a rich low-end that you can almost feel in your chest, while the 2x12 Trem-O-Verb provides clarity and detailed articulation that cuts through the mix without ever sounding harsh. Think of this as the perfect blend of warmth and focus - much like the rich resonance of a vintage jazz record, but with the precision of a modern production. The Low Cut at 20 Hz and the High Cut at 20,000 Hz could be something you can adjust to your taste.

Then there’s the reverb - Medium Plate, set subtly at 10%. It's just enough to create a sense of space, like playing in a cozy club where every note has room to breathe but doesn’t get lost in the air. The 1.45-second decay gives you that touch of ambiance without drenching your tone. With the Spread set at 90%, the reverb blooms out to the edges of the stereo field, giving a luscious sense of depth that never overwhelms your core sound.

Key Settings to Highlight

• Dynamic Control: The Optical Compressor tames inconsistencies, creating a clean tone that is polished yet deeply expressive, making every note feel intentional and full of character.

• Vintage Character: The Divided by 13 FTR 37 amp captures the warmth and sparkle of boutique tube amps - catch the advanced settings below and find some interesting parameters to play with. 

• Cabinet Clarity: The dual cab setup ensures a full-bodied sound with both punch and sweetness, making it suitable for both rhythm playing that needs body and lead lines that need definition.

• Ambient Touch: The reverb adds a subtle yet vital atmosphere - just enough to make your playing feel alive, perfect for nuanced passages that need a touch of magic.

This preset is like a storyteller - it’s perfect for complex chord work, lush arpeggios, and any style where a pristine, defined clean tone is essential. It’s the kind of tone that makes you want to keep playing, discovering how each note blooms and interacts with the next. The careful balance of settings ensures that every nuance is captured, every detail is preserved, and nothing is lost in translation. Whether you're playing in a small club, a studio session, or just practicing in your room, this tone will inspire you to play your best, every single time. 

And don't worry - if you haven't had the FTR 37 on your amp list, too, well... what a wonderful amp it can be.