What guitar effects did Radiohead use on Paranoid Android?

The main effects used were a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal for the moderate overdrive and a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble for the subtle modulation. These were run through Vox AC30 amplifiers to achieve the bright, cutting rhythm guitar sound.

What amp did Ed O'Brien use on OK Computer?

Ed O'Brien primarily used Vox AC30 amplifiers during the OK Computer sessions. The AC30's characteristic bright, chimey sound is essential to the album's guitar tones, including the rhythm parts on "Paranoid Android."

How to get Radiohead's guitar tone on Paranoid Android?

Start with a Fender Telecaster into a Vox AC30 amp set relatively clean. Add a Pro Co RAT pedal with moderate gain for the overdrive, and use a chorus pedal like the Boss CE-1 or CE-2 with subtle settings for the swirling modulation effect.

What studio was OK Computer recorded in?

OK Computer was recorded at various locations, with significant portions done at Pink Floyd's Astoria houseboat studio on the River Thames in London. Producer and engineer Nigel Godrich worked with the band to capture their guitar sounds in this unique floating studio environment.

What microphone was used to record Radiohead's guitars on OK Computer?

Based on the session information, Neumann U87 microphones were used to capture the guitar amplifiers. These large-diaphragm condensers were positioned close to the AC30 speaker cones to capture both the brightness and body of the amp sound.

rhythm guitar from "paranoid android" by radiohead

paranoid android

radiohead

rhythm guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, slightly overdriven rhythm guitar sound with a distinct amp character and subtle modulation, creating a sense of urgency and controlled chaos.

Shop This Rig

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Fender Telecaster(instrument)
Vox AC30(amp)
Neumann U87(microphone)
Pro Co RAT(processing)
Boss CE-1(processing)

The Story

The rhythm guitar on "Paranoid Android" was recorded during the OK Computer sessions at Pink Floyd's Astoria houseboat studio on the River Thames with producer Nigel Godrich. Ed O'Brien and Jonny Greenwood's guitar parts featured Fender Telecasters through Vox AC30 amplifiers, with the distinctive moderate overdrive achieved using a Pro Co RAT pedal. The subtle swirling modulation comes from a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble, while the bright, present character was captured using Neumann U87 microphones positioned close to the speaker cones.

Production Credits

Producer: Nigel Godrich

Engineer: Nigel Godrich

Recorded at: Astoria Houseboat, River Thames, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: Pro Co RATShop on Reverb, Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a clean amp tone from a Vox AC30 or similar amp known for its chime and bright character.
Use a Pro Co RAT to achieve the moderate overdrive, setting the gain to a relatively low setting.
Add a subtle chorus effect using a Boss CE-1 or similar chorus pedal. Keep the depth and rate low for a subtle, swirling effect.
Experiment with microphone placement on the amp to find the sweet spot that balances brightness and body.
Blend a direct input signal with the mic'd amp signal to achieve a balanced tone with both clarity and amp character.

Original Gear

ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Substitutions & Recommendations

Vox AC30C2XShop on Reverb$1400-$1600

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Current production AC30 maintains the same bright, chimey character and natural tube breakup that defines this tone

Pro Co RAT 2Shop on Reverb$80-$100

Alternative to: Pro Co RAT

Still in production with the same aggressive midrange bite and moderate gain that cuts through the mix on this track

Boss CE-2W Waza CraftShop on Reverb$180-$220

Alternative to: Boss CE-1

Recreates the vintage CE-1's lush analog modulation with both standard and vintage voicing options

UAD Vox AC30 pluginPlugin Boutique$150-$200

Alternative to: Vox AC30 + Pro Co RAT

Accurately models the AC30's preamp and power tube saturation, stackable with RAT plugin emulations for home recording

Squier Classic Vibe '70s TelecasterShop on Reverb$380-$450

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Budget option that delivers the essential Tele brightness and cut needed for this aggressive rhythm tone

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Community Insights

No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!

TONEDB...

rhythm guitar from “paranoid android” by radiohead | ToneDB