U2 - The Edge - Guitar Tone Guide

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  • Опубліковано 22 тра 2014
  • I've always been a fan of U2's music and got into them quite heavily when I was at school. I admire the Edge as a guitarist and musician. His use of delay has definitely influenced my playing and I love his tone. I recently purchased a Korg DL8000R which is a largely unknown rackmount delay made in the 90's. It's finding a sort of cult status now as people are discovering it has a great sound and is quite similar in character to the sought after TC2290 (used by the Edge). In actual fact, it's a lot more powerful in many ways than the 2290.
    After integrating it into my rack I discovered I was able to get quite close to the Edge's tone from the 80's.....think Joshua Tree, Unforgettable Fire, Rattle and Hum.
    So I decided to put up a video showing how I created the tone from the ground up and pointing out the things which are (in my opinion) key to nailing that classic tone.
    EQ and compression
    --------------------------------
    Hard to specify exact settings as all compressors are slightly different. Use your ear here. Basically you want to increase presence and push the high end a bit more than normal. You really want the notes to hang in and really 'pop'. It's quite a harsh and 'glassy' sound.
    Pickups
    --------------
    As mentioned in the video postion 2 on a strat is key. This contributes to the glassy, sharp attack.
    The way the Edge picks is also quite a big factor. He strikes the strings hard and seems to scrape more than actually pick. This contributes to the sharp attack on the notes.
    Delay
    -----------
    I'm running the Korg in parallel and 'kill dry'. Just a couple of repeats mixed at same level as dry signal. In the video the delay time is set to 450ms which produces 'dotted 8th' delay repeats in relation to 100bpm.
    The key thing is the modulation. It's set to 4.2 on the Korg which might be 4.2Hz? I'm not sure. The modulation is the key feature of the tone in my opinion.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 379

  • @radimfiala1680
    @radimfiala1680 8 років тому +79

    This is, hands down, the best demonstration of the tone used by U2's "The Edge" on UA-cam ......period!

    • @cheftekard7165
      @cheftekard7165 2 роки тому

      Completely agree. Dead on balls accurate

  • @martinaddison4880
    @martinaddison4880 9 років тому +138

    I would like to see/hear "The Edge" tone example videos from ALL the people who posted negative comments...this video shows a great tone...period.

    • @sasapavlovic3242
      @sasapavlovic3242 5 років тому +1

      Thank you for that comment, my english is to much poor...😉

    • @nbt3663
      @nbt3663 5 років тому +1

      Exactly!

    • @knightlove1000
      @knightlove1000 5 років тому

      Thais video Is great!

  • @Drewg351
    @Drewg351 5 років тому +17

    Dammm. Why does that "sound" sound so freaking good??? It's so unique too. How'd the Edge come up with it and no one else found this "tone" ??? It's just awesome. Not being a musician at all, knowing s__t about it, you can instantly recognize that sound. I could listen to just this guitar all day long. Thanks for the video bud, great job. Hats off.

  • @Xiako
    @Xiako 6 років тому +10

    I watch this video every day mate! It's like you're doing some kind of magic... I really get so many chills down my spine... THANK YOU!

  • @angusseletto1511
    @angusseletto1511 3 роки тому +46

    The Edge is so great because he invented his own sound like no other Player,he is unique and very innovative,not to mention a great player.He can adapt and mimic what he hears so so talented

    • @Youtubax
      @Youtubax 3 роки тому +4

      I could give you a few more examples of players who created their own sound as well, but yes, The Edge is one of them too.
      Mark Knopfler, Brian May, EVH, J.Hendrix, David Gilmour...
      The thing about The Edge is he was one of the first to succeed on depending heavily on delay, reverb and modulated effects to create sonic textures.

    • @helio1055
      @helio1055 8 місяців тому +1

      Lol tons of other players have “invented” their sound. he’s not that crazy of a guitar player he just uses a bunch of delay nothing special

    • @kencade6544
      @kencade6544 2 місяці тому

      This video is a great example of how a very mediocre guitarist can paint a wall of sound using delay and compression. I'm not a Henry Rollins fan, but he characterized U2 as having the weakest back end in the business and I think he's right.
      That being said, I do like what the edge does-he knows he's not hendrix, and he knows that Bono is U2 and he serves the song to the vocals are always in front.
      Much better results than if he went and tried to solo over all of their tunes and came up short, as that's not his thing.
      On that documentary with jack white and Jimmy page the edge looks scared. Jimmy page cant recall how to play his own tune. White played well.

    • @annarakannan6620
      @annarakannan6620 2 місяці тому

      @@kencade6544I agree that he is not truly a lead guitarist caliber player. But in the end it is all about music and the sound you can create to complement the songs. He has carved out a niche that serves them well. I would take the edge over the music-less (IMO) shredder yngwie whom I could not even listen To for 10 seconds. His thing was 200 marshall stacks on stage.
      Someone should teach him how to use a digital delay pedal. 😀😀

    • @kencade6544
      @kencade6544 2 місяці тому

      @annarakannan6620 I think Andy Summers of the Police was fairly anti solo too. It's a different approach. More painter than picker. Serves the songs well

  • @Xiako
    @Xiako 5 років тому +9

    I watch this video every day man... this sound you're creating here... lift me up so high... THANKS!!

  • @Xiako
    @Xiako 6 років тому +16

    1:50 listen.. there's some kind of magic here..that sound change with the reverb... Lovely!!!

    • @viewoftheaskew
      @viewoftheaskew 3 роки тому

      That's the Lexicon PCM-70 Experience, those boxes were juicy & rich!

    • @0megalul309
      @0megalul309 2 роки тому +1

      @@viewoftheaskew im pretty sure its a pcm 8x variant, since there are two knobs right of the screen, but yeah the pcm 70 and 80 are more or less similar in character.

  • @wallyramirez5527
    @wallyramirez5527 6 років тому +6

    That tone and delay at 2:43....wow great job

  • @martinromanelli7390
    @martinromanelli7390 5 років тому +4

    Amazing dude! You completely nailed both the tone and the "landscape like" sonic textures. I gave a thumbs up to the video. Very cool.

  • @ericnickel3280
    @ericnickel3280 9 років тому +1

    Holy crap dude! I could listen to play that riff all day long!! It was great to hear all the layers being added one at a time. Great work!!!

  • @nolanr7679
    @nolanr7679 6 років тому +1

    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! you did what others have failed to do and you showed that you don't need to be a millionaire to get that tone.

  • @williamfurlong4874
    @williamfurlong4874 6 років тому

    Absolutely great sound ! Gave me chills hearing you put it together!

  • @TheMattVideoBlog
    @TheMattVideoBlog 18 годин тому

    gonna use this to work on a U2 cover (it'll be on youtube!) thank you my friend. couldn't quite figure it out myself. especially that modulation on the delay! that's really where the magic happens

  • @valdemiromathias9674
    @valdemiromathias9674 4 роки тому +8

    The sound generated by The Edge is a complete orchestra. Fabulous.

  • @kkq722
    @kkq722 9 років тому +2

    Love your work!!! I really love the Edgy guitar tone since 2001 when I was teenager. It sounds still somewhat happy.

  • @billykelly1013
    @billykelly1013 8 років тому +1

    Best demo I've seen for explaining his sound.

  • @linovinn7011
    @linovinn7011 3 роки тому

    So very good emulation of Edge's sound. Thank you so much!

  • @mikelowe22
    @mikelowe22 5 років тому

    Great job, brother!! Thanks for taking the time to post this cool video!!

  • @KneedleKnees
    @KneedleKnees 3 роки тому

    This is pretty much spot on as far as I can hear. Great job!

  • @sane7798
    @sane7798 3 роки тому

    Thanks for sharing these tips and also, nice demonstration! That tone and your playing skill is really close to the Edge's!

  • @derekstocker6661
    @derekstocker6661 6 років тому +1

    Love this, so very well done and sounds so good!

  • @TheRocketwatson
    @TheRocketwatson 10 років тому

    Super Sick!!! I think you've nailed it.
    Your one of my favorites now.

  • @UTarcher72
    @UTarcher72 2 місяці тому

    So magical, so deep and intertwining.

  • @TerryOffDairy
    @TerryOffDairy 3 роки тому +12

    Only thing missing is his pick technique. He uses picks that are a little rough, and scrapes them into the string when he plays, gets that icy sound

    • @Pablo-be4gf
      @Pablo-be4gf 2 роки тому +1

      Yeahh! The Herdim pick, I bought some of them, and it sounds amazing!

    • @TerryOffDairy
      @TerryOffDairy 2 роки тому +2

      @@Pablo-be4gf me too. They were expensive on Amazon! I found that brand new, they work a little TOO well, you have to wear down the surface just a bit to get the perfect edge sound. Play with them for 10-20 minutes

  • @ericnickel3280
    @ericnickel3280 5 років тому +1

    Pretty incredible! Sounds perfect!

  • @syncrosimon
    @syncrosimon 5 років тому

    Thanks for helping me understand how The Edge sounds so good with simple guitar playing. 👍

  • @shaneevans166
    @shaneevans166 7 років тому

    Thanks for sharing! Beautiful sound!!!

  • @jeromemedina9323
    @jeromemedina9323 9 років тому

    Keep up the good work man! Love it!

  • @RadioklimaTheReturn
    @RadioklimaTheReturn 6 років тому +6

    "Bad" masterpiece guitar the unforgettable fire wonderful

  • @dougieladd
    @dougieladd 8 років тому

    gorgeous tone

  • @andrewsmith-xk3mu
    @andrewsmith-xk3mu 5 років тому

    love it,brilliant nick.

  • @julien9470
    @julien9470 3 роки тому

    Absolutly awsome. So clear, so easy to understand. So much EDGE. THANK YOU.
    And THANK YOU for BAD. The best song of U2 in my opinion. Powerful...

  • @acescok
    @acescok Рік тому

    One of life’s long running unsolved mysteries cracked right there 😊👏👏👍

  • @REDTVCanada
    @REDTVCanada 6 років тому

    Thanks for sharing! Brilliant sound.

  • @ignaciodeluna8955
    @ignaciodeluna8955 7 років тому +1

    Great job nick!!!! I'm a huge u2 fan and when I can't tell the difference between the edge and your playing, then I know it's good. Can you do me a favor and make a video of the entire Bad instrumental. That is my all time favorite U2 song, and your playing is awesome. I need 7 minutes of you playing Bad. I'd appreciate it. Keep rocking it!!!!

  • @simonsiagian6725
    @simonsiagian6725 10 місяців тому

    love you man, great explanation, great sound

  • @5744F
    @5744F 10 років тому +38

    The blue Herdim pick upside down is essential for the sharp attack ;)

    • @aldoma123
      @aldoma123 4 роки тому +3

      60% OF THE SOUND IS THE BLUE HERDIM

    • @TMillsMusic
      @TMillsMusic 4 роки тому +4

      aldoma123 I think Edge’s Tech guy said 80% 😉

    • @blackfishgaming7145
      @blackfishgaming7145 3 роки тому +1

      I have one of those pics laying around somewhere. they're really textured on the grip side

  • @Griuofficial
    @Griuofficial 11 місяців тому

    Thanks for the video , amazing guitar tone!

  • @faraday6416
    @faraday6416 6 років тому

    Excellent work!

  • @LautaroSantori
    @LautaroSantori 21 день тому

    thank you for sharing your knowledge!

  • @IngoKoch
    @IngoKoch 4 роки тому +11

    Love it when it becomes "Edgy" :-)

  • @thePronto
    @thePronto 7 років тому

    Dude, that was awesome. Thanks!

  • @rommelandriotti8732
    @rommelandriotti8732 6 років тому

    Awesome! Congratulations!

  • @joehernandez5600
    @joehernandez5600 4 роки тому

    Nice job. Really like the playing.

  • @JamesAGuitar
    @JamesAGuitar 3 роки тому

    I know this is 6 years ago, but just found it. Great video!

  • @shivbhanapmusic
    @shivbhanapmusic 7 років тому

    Good heavens ! That tone.. Respect man !

  • @MicheleTerry-xe7zp
    @MicheleTerry-xe7zp Місяць тому

    Beautiful!

  • @pneulancer
    @pneulancer 9 років тому

    You nailed it! Bravo.

  • @bc1301
    @bc1301 6 років тому

    Nice breakdown of how equipment is layered to get that instantly recognizable Edge tone. 👍

  • @gedmcmahon3206
    @gedmcmahon3206 3 роки тому

    Absolutely fantastic..

  • @BridgeGuitar
    @BridgeGuitar 7 років тому

    Nicely done!

  • @keljar2007
    @keljar2007 2 роки тому

    Fantastic video!

  • @valley_robot
    @valley_robot 7 років тому

    Excellent video, very helpful

  • @MegaSkycap
    @MegaSkycap 6 років тому

    Nice, man! I like that you're jamming out before you do Bad. Usually these videos only have covers.

  • @bruzzgravely3470
    @bruzzgravely3470 8 років тому

    Don't think you would have made it without your effects, but I love your sound and playing with the effects!!!

  • @Ruefus
    @Ruefus 7 років тому

    Great stuff. Thank you.

  • @bc1301
    @bc1301 4 роки тому

    Very nice job!

  • @enricoceccanti9496
    @enricoceccanti9496 Рік тому

    Great Guitar's Coach!!!!! Bravo

  • @patmurphy6331
    @patmurphy6331 9 місяців тому

    very good. Love your riffing too.

  • @mtgmail3697
    @mtgmail3697 7 років тому

    Amazing job, dude ! One of the greatest U2 emulation you can find on youtube....I am just fond of your tone....I have a boss gt 10. I am curious to know what settings you are using on your GT pro , could you tell me what preamp / settings you are using for this one ? Do you think you could reach this tone by using the delay/reverb of the GT 10 instead of your korg/lexicon duet ?Thanks mate ;)

  • @luisgoregonzalez7394
    @luisgoregonzalez7394 4 роки тому +1

    Awesome vídeo! 😎

  • @adjo82
    @adjo82 3 роки тому

    Great demo

  • @johnmccarthy6903
    @johnmccarthy6903 3 роки тому

    Wow bloody amazing love it xx

  • @sammathis
    @sammathis 4 роки тому

    You know your stuff, I really like it.

  • @brianwillaman1776
    @brianwillaman1776 4 роки тому

    Great job!

  • @dabiyardie3954
    @dabiyardie3954 Рік тому

    Killed it man

  • @jasoncabral8732
    @jasoncabral8732 2 місяці тому

    This is really good

  • @beatlelennon9168
    @beatlelennon9168 3 роки тому

    Well done sir , superb 👍👍

  • @johnleuver1281
    @johnleuver1281 9 років тому

    Awesome job.

  • @aviansoul
    @aviansoul 7 років тому +8

    2:03 very Michael Brook sounding... love it!

  • @timhansen4556
    @timhansen4556 9 років тому +7

    Excellent tutorial, thanks! You might also mention that the delay time is "dotted 1/8th note" for many of U2's songs. There are other UA-cam tutorials on this subject.

    • @timhansen4556
      @timhansen4556 9 років тому

      OK- just read the "more" part of your opening comments....you covered it. Sorry.

  • @OneTwentyOver80
    @OneTwentyOver80 5 років тому +4

    Your cover of 'bad' was sweet man.

  • @davidjohn5791
    @davidjohn5791 4 роки тому

    Fantastic sounds so like the Edge, you did a fantastic job here thanks very much. To all the thumb downers, lets here you play it.

  • @Mio-fu1sr
    @Mio-fu1sr 6 років тому

    good sound,good efx thinking

  • @theempire00
    @theempire00 7 років тому

    Super cool!

  • @OrganicPickups
    @OrganicPickups 6 років тому +1

    The compressor was a big change at the beginning. Cool explanation

  • @OLd_One-eyeguy
    @OLd_One-eyeguy 8 років тому

    Nailed it!!

  • @ianwalsh9552
    @ianwalsh9552 4 роки тому

    Spot on.

  • @neoaureus
    @neoaureus 4 роки тому

    Superb ! U r a genius..we'll give it to you.

  • @daviddaviddoyleartsproduct4390
    @daviddaviddoyleartsproduct4390 9 років тому

    Brilliant dude :)

  • @keithgray7593
    @keithgray7593 4 роки тому

    Brilliant!

  • @abraxas956
    @abraxas956 3 роки тому

    Fantastic

  • @lastofthemohicans1
    @lastofthemohicans1 3 роки тому +5

    Bad is one of the greatest songs ever

  • @mentoneman
    @mentoneman 9 років тому +1

    awesome sound
    the dl8000r and lexicon pcm 80 was made for each other!
    i have them both as well :)

  • @marcosc50
    @marcosc50 6 років тому +1

    Parabéns pelo vídeo.

  • @syncdog
    @syncdog 4 роки тому

    Great job! Sounds dead on! I also read The Edge used a Korg SDD-3000 through an Vox AC30.

    • @blackfishgaming7145
      @blackfishgaming7145 3 роки тому +1

      I have one of those SDD 3000s from the early 80's and a vox ac30. I'm not really an edge fan but my brother was and he gave me the Korg years ago due to the battery dying in it. I sent it to a guy in Texas that specializes in the old Korgs and he fixed it. It sounds incredible.

  • @watchyourtoneman5061
    @watchyourtoneman5061 4 роки тому

    Thank you!

  • @RahdixCloudNine
    @RahdixCloudNine 9 років тому

    Great...Great....I Like It !! Good Job !! :D

  • @railcar123
    @railcar123 9 років тому

    Sounds great...

  • @UTarcher72
    @UTarcher72 3 роки тому

    Heavenly!

  • @DrumminDoc
    @DrumminDoc 8 років тому +1

    perfect instructions! I tried to emulate using a stompbox delay, and a modded rat. Where are you located?

  • @icemax7
    @icemax7 5 років тому

    You simply nailed it buddy. Would be a great deal of help if you could formulate the tone for all of us amateurs here on a Boss ME80 and post it on the BOSS / ROLAND community

  • @tomjohns5146
    @tomjohns5146 6 років тому

    awesome !!!!

  • @henryhaizzene1974
    @henryhaizzene1974 8 років тому

    Wow loved 'Bad'... I can hear you do that all day! =)

  • @ElliotStent
    @ElliotStent 10 років тому

    Beautiful sound (Y)

  • @shermanthompson871
    @shermanthompson871 9 років тому

    Nailed it

  • @DennisTurbay
    @DennisTurbay 7 років тому

    Nice sound

  • @Arun-nv8zi
    @Arun-nv8zi 5 років тому

    It's like watching a musical cocktail being made, fascinating...

  • @audiogarden1
    @audiogarden1 10 років тому

    Awesome

  • @johnj3577
    @johnj3577 3 роки тому

    I get shivers and goose bumps as soon as we hit 2:43