FINALLY! It's soooo awesome getting to see the rigs of a band that is actually pushing the envelope...... I am kinda suprised their pedal boards weren't 50 feet long though....just from hearing the albums made me think they traveled with a 1000 fx pedals. Thanks for posting this!!!
I think Aaron uses the neck pickup most of the time, thats probably why Isis' distortion always has that sludgy sound (in a good way of course). He probably uses the bridge pickup for lighter clean stuff
This video was really, really helpful. I've been wanting to get into playing metal for ages but having never learnt guitar nor having much knowledge of equipment, I am a total noob. Even just having a reference point in terms of gear to get an idea of what makes that thick, chunky sound Isis/Pelican etc have (which is what I love) is a really great starting point. Thank you :)
@DrumBum561 the pickup toward the headstock..there is a bridge pickup, it is closest to where the bridge is located - where the strings stop? idk, the bridge...haha. the headstock is where the little turny knobs are.
@sketchbager yeah the drums are awesome. especially oceanic and panopticon. i read a great description of the production for one of em, its out there on the net somewhere.
@nanomaton I think they probably use heavy guage strings (.12 - .52). I play in Drop B tuning quite a bit and I use Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky strings (.11 - .54), which work better for me because the top strings are thinner (which means string bending is less of an effort) and the low B is a bit thicker which helps with intonation. I would use a .70/.72 for the low F# that Isis use sometimes.
@6StringAxeMoFo The keyboardist/guitarist Bryant Clifford Meyer is in Red Sparowes (went to see them last month, they were amazing), Mike Gallagher (guitarist) has recently wrote a score with his MGR project for a movie entitled "22nd of May" and Aaron Turner (Vocalist/guitarist) is in a band called Mammifer, not too familair with them. You're welcome! Red Sparowes are definetly worth checking out, they came out with a new album not that long ago.
It's a shame they don't make the RV-3 anymore. By the way, I highly recommend watching the Clearing the Eye video from ISIS, all live stuff. Very badass.
I'd have loved to see his gear to. According to wikipedia, though, he uses the following: BOSS TU-2, BOSS DD-5, BOSS RV-3, BOSS PS-3, BOSS BF-3, BOSS GEB-7, Fulltone Bass-Drive. his Musicman and Sage basses were mentioned before. afaik he is endorsed by Aguilar. when I saw ISIS some time ago he played through an AGUILAR DB751 and an AGUILAR DB285JC TWEED, not sure about that though.
Have you seen the ISIS DVD? They have to tune up after every song, sometimes in the middle of a song, and sometimes even change guitars altogether. I dont think they stay in tune at all, its part of the fun for them!
Yea i have been bidding on them for the past two weeks, they all end up going for over 100 and i am a little weary of buying a ten year old pedal, even though i have had a couple boss pedals for almost that long. They do last but 100 bucks is a little steep. I think i will end up with the giga delay. I have a jvm205c amplifier and it seems to be picky with effects. Thanks for the info though.
i couldnt tell who you were repyling this to, but are you saying that DADGBD is the isis tuning?(im sure you know that its not but i just want to check... sorry)
12-54 elixirs, I'd put on something heavier, but the next elixir is like 68 baritones, which's over the top... I'm currently using DM 12-56 and I think I'll switch back to Elixirs
It was kinda a joke but kinda not, live there not note perfect(who is?) so with the reverb echoing the notes and adding the new it masks the messy stuff in the playing, its pretty handy that way ha ha an amazing live band finally got to see them live last year and even though Aaron had monitor problems they rocked it!
Replying to a month old comment. Sorry. I rarely hear tremolo in Isis's music, but when I do, I always thought it was Mike; he has a tremolo pedal on his board. It's pretty obvious on Syndic Calls, but that was never played live. I'd be confused if he keeps it on his board to take on tour yet never uses it.
reverb is essentially a lot of short delay signals blended together, so that all the delay signals ring through as one. if you think about this you'll understand what they mean by covering their sloppiness, but.. isis really aren't that sloppy. if you're bad at timing/rhythm, cranking the reverb may make it seem like you're more 'in the pocket' with the rest of the band, but it will also sound really.. reverb-y. not cool.
I play in a sludge/post metal band called Sky Hunter and their tuning isn't that dissimilar from the tuning I use. It's just like drop D tuning with the high e going down as well (otherwise known as double drop d). The low e being dropped an octave below the A string (or in this case F#) produces a really great effect with high gain amps, taking a higher F# with a much more square tone and an extremely low range F# that produces a much more round, bass-like spongey attack.
They tune a lot because mostly they play short scale guitars: LPs and Teles. I play in the same tuning (because we might be doing some ISIS covers soon) on a regular scale. With the right string gauge, the guitar stays in tune pretty good.
Tunings those guitars THAT low (at least 3 whole steps) is absolute rape, its a wonder they stay in tune and healthy. FFS i know those guitars are normally rad but just buy a baritone or 7-string. Sick band.
Where's Jeff? :( I wanted to see the bass pedals too :/
I miss this band releasing albums so fucking much! The hype of an album release was well worth it.
FINALLY! It's soooo awesome getting to see the rigs of a band that is actually pushing the envelope......
I am kinda suprised their pedal boards weren't 50 feet long though....just from hearing the albums made me think they traveled with a 1000 fx pedals.
Thanks for posting this!!!
I think Aaron uses the neck pickup most of the time, thats probably why Isis' distortion always has that sludgy sound (in a good way of course). He probably uses the bridge pickup for lighter clean stuff
This video was really, really helpful. I've been wanting to get into playing metal for ages but having never learnt guitar nor having much knowledge of equipment, I am a total noob. Even just having a reference point in terms of gear to get an idea of what makes that thick, chunky sound Isis/Pelican etc have (which is what I love) is a really great starting point. Thank you :)
Saw him, he seems happy here. In person he was very serious and intense.
@DrumBum561 the pickup toward the headstock..there is a bridge pickup, it is closest to where the bridge is located - where the strings stop? idk, the bridge...haha. the headstock is where the little turny knobs are.
@Friiiiick Turner uses a Maxon ROD881 pedal mostly, but sometimes uses the Distortion from his VHT Pitbull head.
@sketchbager yeah the drums are awesome. especially oceanic and panopticon. i read a great description of the production for one of em, its out there on the net somewhere.
@nanomaton I think they probably use heavy guage strings (.12 - .52). I play in Drop B tuning quite a bit and I use Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky strings (.11 - .54), which work better for me because the top strings are thinner (which means string bending is less of an effort) and the low B is a bit thicker which helps with intonation. I would use a .70/.72 for the low F# that Isis use sometimes.
I like this guitar! It sounds very nice!
VHTs are fucking amazing. If I ever need a big amp again, I'm shelling the big bucks for one of those.
When does he ever use the ring modulator? I must have a terrible ear because I've never heard it in their material
I never caught what distortion pedals they use...
@6StringAxeMoFo The keyboardist/guitarist Bryant Clifford Meyer is in Red Sparowes (went to see them last month, they were amazing), Mike Gallagher (guitarist) has recently wrote a score with his MGR project for a movie entitled "22nd of May" and Aaron Turner (Vocalist/guitarist) is in a band called Mammifer, not too familair with them. You're welcome! Red Sparowes are definetly worth checking out, they came out with a new album not that long ago.
It's a shame they don't make the RV-3 anymore. By the way, I highly recommend watching the Clearing the Eye video from ISIS, all live stuff. Very badass.
@jcivib17 RV-3 is pretty available on ebay if im not mistaken. That's where our guitarist got his. Totally worth it by the way.
I'd have loved to see his gear to.
According to wikipedia, though, he uses the following: BOSS TU-2, BOSS DD-5, BOSS RV-3, BOSS PS-3, BOSS BF-3, BOSS GEB-7, Fulltone Bass-Drive.
his Musicman and Sage basses were mentioned before.
afaik he is endorsed by Aguilar. when I saw ISIS some time ago he played through an AGUILAR DB751 and an AGUILAR DB285JC TWEED, not sure about that though.
Have you seen the ISIS DVD? They have to tune up after every song, sometimes in the middle of a song, and sometimes even change guitars altogether.
I dont think they stay in tune at all, its part of the fun for them!
@erniesux I just saw them last night and mike uses the Sig X as well
0:58
cool video, appreciate it.
Yeah I coulda swore I heard another interview where his voice was MUCH deeper.
I might get some of his pedals.
Wait, what distortion does he use?
Is it just amp or what?
Jeff`s pedals
boss: flanger, delay, reverv, bass eq and compresor.
MXR: M80 Bass DI Plus.
Fulltone: Bass Drive
and ?...
Yea i have been bidding on them for the past two weeks, they all end up going for over 100 and i am a little weary of buying a ten year old pedal, even though i have had a couple boss pedals for almost that long. They do last but 100 bucks is a little steep. I think i will end up with the giga delay. I have a jvm205c amplifier and it seems to be picky with effects. Thanks for the info though.
which speakers in the cabinets
Isis... Fuck I miss 'em.
@theedgeinshow He has LOTS of pedals though... not in this video.It changes very often... check out The Other live
i couldnt tell who you were repyling this to, but are you saying that DADGBD is the isis tuning?(im sure you know that its not but i just want to check... sorry)
12-54 elixirs, I'd put on something heavier, but the next elixir is like 68 baritones, which's over the top... I'm currently using DM 12-56 and I think I'll switch back to Elixirs
It was kinda a joke but kinda not, live there not note perfect(who is?) so with the reverb echoing the notes and adding the new it masks the messy stuff in the playing, its pretty handy that way ha ha an amazing live band finally got to see them live last year and even though Aaron had monitor problems they rocked it!
They've changed things now though. THey all play these custom see through guitars, or at least Aaron and Michael do.
How can he get such a massive tone from a tele?
Is it VHT Pitbull 45?
No the other is a deluxe (with fat neck), another guitar with two humbuckers. They look similar.
What amp head is that aaron uses?
@93reasons Sometimes. mainly drop B though.
The Beginning And The End, as well.
What kind of amp is that for the GE-tar
@erniesux A mesa v twin preamp into a mackie power amp
Baby faced Ay Ay Ron! 😂
@Soilwar Well thats because distortion pedals dont have the quality of sound than a 2500 USD amp would have.
Replying to a month old comment. Sorry. I rarely hear tremolo in Isis's music, but when I do, I always thought it was Mike; he has a tremolo pedal on his board. It's pretty obvious on Syndic Calls, but that was never played live. I'd be confused if he keeps it on his board to take on tour yet never uses it.
What kind of VHT head is that?
what was the amp he used?
lol "we're sloppy" yea right!
puede ser subtitulado por favor!!!!!!!!!!!!!
te lo agradeceria mucho!
aaron turner geniooooo!!
isis lo mejor!!!
What is the name of the song in the beginning?
Holy Tears
What equipment does Cliff use?
Like a dozen pedals (bass drive, flanger, tremolo, digital reverb and other stuff)
Anyone know what string gauge does Aaron use?
matblues2 This is 4 year later but he used D'Addario EXL158 13-62's.
But there's a single coil in the bridge.
its amazingly somber tuning, once you get used to it. Just think drop c but sort of like standard D.
@jcivib17 haha the giga delay would be incredible anyway.
Because it's a telecaster with humbuckers, not a classic tele with single coils.
3:52
old man gloooooooom =)
reverb is essentially a lot of short delay signals blended together, so that all the delay signals ring through as one. if you think about this you'll understand what they mean by covering their sloppiness, but.. isis really aren't that sloppy.
if you're bad at timing/rhythm, cranking the reverb may make it seem like you're more 'in the pocket' with the rest of the band, but it will also sound really.. reverb-y. not cool.
@Akinohotarubi they should've covered the whole band!
I play in a sludge/post metal band called Sky Hunter and their tuning isn't that dissimilar from the tuning I use. It's just like drop D tuning with the high e going down as well (otherwise known as double drop d). The low e being dropped an octave below the A string (or in this case F#) produces a really great effect with high gain amps, taking a higher F# with a much more square tone and an extremely low range F# that produces a much more round, bass-like spongey attack.
thats a weird tuning .. drop b with the high e tuned down a step ..
VHT Pitbull Ultra Lead
yea same. i saw him in another interview and he sounded manlier. hes got some great gear in this.
sweeeeeeeeeettttt-ah!!!!!!!
Holy Tears for example
They tune a lot because mostly they play short scale guitars: LPs and Teles. I play in the same tuning (because we might be doing some ISIS covers soon) on a regular scale. With the right string gauge, the guitar stays in tune pretty good.
@MrShizzleism holy tears
@darnull Pittbull UL has plenty of gain for what they do.
aaron for sure isn't mike I don't know, but I doubt it.
are you?
This is why i don't even bother with pedals
Sorry I see that's already been stated. Sorry for repeating ;)
this is the only gear overview that wasn't full of shit and made sense
Beginning and the End, Celestial, and what you mentioned I think those are all the F# songs.
wats wid ppl not liking a rig rundown?? weird!
mike looks freakily like hugh laurie
Tunings those guitars THAT low (at least 3 whole steps) is absolute rape, its a wonder they stay in tune and healthy.
FFS i know those guitars are normally rad but just buy a baritone or 7-string.
Sick band.
i expected aarons voice to be much more manly
@maxinator3000 Which would make them In laws haha.
I don't know and I don't give a shit but your comment is for sure
aaron turner looks like a hairdresser.
Just amp, brotha.
What the fuck did any of that mean?