rhythm guitar from “today” by the smashing pumpkins | ToneDB
today
the smashing pumpkins
rhythm guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A high-gain, aggressive rhythm guitar sound with a fuzzy edge, providing a wall of sound that is both heavy and melodic. It's characterized by a blend of distortion and fuzz, creating a thick and saturated tone.
Gear
- Fender Stratocasterinstrument
- ReverbSweetwater
- ADA MP-1amp
- ReverbSweetwater
- Shure SM57microphone
- ReverbSweetwater
- Big Muff Piprocessing
- Reverb$87Sweetwater
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The Story
The rhythm guitar sound on "Today" was recorded by Billy Corgan using a Fender Stratocaster run through a Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal and an ADA MP-1 preamp. The track was produced and engineered by Butch Vig at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin. The characteristic wall of sound was achieved by layering multiple guitar takes and combining the fuzzy Big Muff with the high-gain MP-1 for maximum saturation and sustain.
Production Credits
Producer: Butch Vig
Engineer: Butch Vig
Recorded at: Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender Stratocaster
Amp: ADA MP-1
Microphone: Shure SM57
Processing: Big Muff Pi
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Stratocaster into a fuzz pedal like a Big Muff Pi.
- Combine the fuzz with a high-gain amp, such as the ADA MP-1, for added sustain and saturation.
- Experiment with mic placement on the amp to capture the right balance of bite and warmth.
- Double-track the guitar parts and pan them slightly left and right to create a wide, full sound.
Original Gear
- Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
- ADA MP-1(amp)
- Big Muff Pi(pedal)
- Shure SM57(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Big Muff Pi fuzz pedal
This reissue captures the specific mid-70s Big Muff tone that Corgan used extensively on Siamese Dream, providing the same fuzzy saturation and sustain
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: ADA MP-1 preamp
Provides similar high-gain saturation and midrange bite when stacked with fuzz, commonly used to approximate MP-1 tones on a budget
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: ADA MP-1 preamp
Offers high-gain preamp modeling that can replicate the MP-1's saturated character with modern convenience and multiple amp options
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Fender Stratocaster
Provides authentic Stratocaster single-coil pickup response that works well with fuzz pedals, offering vintage tone at an accessible price point
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Combined Big Muff and MP-1 setup
Single pedal that bridges fuzz and high-gain distortion, popular among 90s alternative guitarists for achieving similar saturated rhythm tones
ReverbSweetwaterSources
Frequently Asked Questions
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