rhythm guitar from “under the pressure” by the war on drugs | ToneDB
under the pressure
the war on drugs
rhythm guitar
Tone Profile
This rhythm guitar sound is characterized by its shimmering, atmospheric quality, providing a bed of modulated textures that underpins the song's driving energy. It’s a blend of subtle overdrive, chorus, and reverb, creating a sense of spaciousness and movement.
Shop This Rig
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The Story
The War on Drugs' Adam Granduciel used a Fender Telecaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier to create the shimmering rhythm guitar sound on "Under the Pressure." The signal chain included an MXR Phase 90 and Electro-Harmonix Memory Man delay, recorded by engineer Jeff Zeigler at Uniform Recording in Philadelphia. The recording approach combined close-microphone placement with room mics to capture both the direct amp sound and ambient reflections. Multiple guitar layers were used to build the full, atmospheric texture that characterizes the song.
Production Credits
Producer: Adam Granduciel
Engineer: Jeff Zeigler
Recorded at: Uniform Recording (Philadelphia)
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb
Processing: MXR Phase 90Shop on Reverb, Electro-Harmonix Memory ManShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a clean amp tone with a slight breakup to capture the edge of overdrive.
- Experiment with different chorus and delay settings to find the right balance of depth and space.
- Use a combination of close and room microphones to capture both the direct and ambient sound of the amplifier.
- Consider layering multiple guitar tracks with slightly different settings to create a fuller sound.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Vox AC30 amplifier
Provides the AC30's chiming clean tones and edge-of-breakup character in pedal format for the shimmering foundation
Alternative to: MXR Phase 90
The exact same phaser used on the original recording, still manufactured and essential for the swirling modulation
Alternative to: Electro-Harmonix Memory Man
Delivers the warm, analog-style delay character of the Memory Man with more precise control for recreating the atmospheric depth
Alternative to: Vox AC30 amplifier
Digital recreation of the AC30's tube saturation and chime, perfect for capturing the amp's response in a recording setup
Alternative to: Electro-Harmonix Memory Man
Budget-friendly option that includes analog-style delay algorithms similar to the Memory Man's warm repeats
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
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