Coule use some help with metal settings/setup pls

[sslk6]

Alright, I've been playing bass for a couple years and have been focusing on technique and speed and not tone/sound. I am trying to get that "metal" sound out of my rig now. When I say metal I mean like Pantera, Kataklysm, that real low/growly sound. My current rig includes:
ESP LTD F-255 5-string bass,
Gallien-Krueger 400RB head,
and Peavey 115 Tour Series Full Range(tweeter) cab.

I still have the original strings on the bass b/c it's pretty new, but I was wanting to put some Elixir's on....love the way they feel, but not sure if it'll be the tone I want. Also, I play finger bass. I don't need a pick to keep up w/the speed, and I'm used to it. Somebody pls give me some advice. (Right when I went to really spend some time on my settings, by bass and head went out.....they're getting warranty work done now...sucks).

[Tomass]

Start off with everything set at flat. So Bass, Mids, Treble etc etc all flat. Usually for a metal tone i like to have the Gain cranked up a bit more than the master volume (i have a SWR btw, different animal from yours). Now your best bet is to have low mids at 1-2 o'clock and high mids at 1 o clock for that range. These settings should give you a nice low range growl with some defintion. Possibly turn up the presence or similar to get a bit more sheen so that your tone doesnt sound like mud. Another thing you could do is run a smooth distortion through your effects loop, and just have it so it provides a bit of growl and grit to your tone. A 410 would work best in your favor, there nice and punchy, which is what you want for metal. A 15 inch isnt going to respond as quick and might start to sound to "woofy", if you can get a 410 and use the 115 as well (depending on power requirements, ohms) you would have a mighty metal tone then. Might i suggest DR High Beams for strings, these are really nice, last a long time, dont sound as bright as something like slinkys, have a great feel to them.
Any way good luck with your quest for the holy grail of tone.

[sslk6]

Alright, thanks. I won't be able to get any more equipment in the near future though. What about the full-range settings on the cab? Also, what abot the Boost, Presence, Highs, and Lows? I'm just trying to get a good idea of what I can mess around with when my stuff finally gets fixed. Also, what gauge strings should I get, I will be playing in standard tuning and B'flat' tuning. Should I raise/lower the action or pickups? I want to try to stay away from the clanking noise, some people like it, but I don't. I think it takes a lot away from your sound. I used to have a 4-10, it was just a GK Backline Series...but it didn't handle the low notes very well at all. Plus this Peavey cab is awesome because it's so light, I can pick it up with one hand and carry it if need be.

[Tomass]

String Guage, what ever you like really. I usually just get what ever is at the store and i dont tend to worry about it. Usually .105 are the go with drop tuning. If your are drop tuning, you might get a bit of clank, if that happens, just play closer to the bridge. With the boost function, i would just use it sparingly, start it off with a minimum setting and slowly wind it out to suit what your doing. Clanking is just a technique thing, my bass has a crazy low action, it buzzes a little but that helps. Plus quite often your only hearing the clanking, it doesnt always get sent through the amp. Its just reverberating from the bodie and neck. A Clanky sound would also come from having to much treble and high mid range. Like i mentioned before try everything flat and make little adjustments. The HIGH and LOW look like they are the mid range controls, thats where the money is with cutting through.