Anybody know what metalcore guitarists use to make it sound so good?

Question

like what scales, techniques, etc.

Answer 1

Alot of metal core guitarists (but not all) use distortion to the extreme. This means they have to be able to control unwanted feedback and strings they do not want to ring out ala heavy palm muting. With a wah pedal used for extra gain not for effect. Sometimes a VCO (voltage control oscillator) is inline as well. This helps give a crisp grind to the sound. Alot of scales are employed but I have found through observation that the most common scales employed are minor pentatonic ,diatonic and harmonic minor. This helps give metal core it's unique sound. Some other techniques are sweep picking and double picking o the lead breaks, but when playing rhythm the downstroke is used to provide the pounding, percussive sound.