Use the UAFX Ruby ’63 and Woodrow ’55 amp emulators, Del-Verb Ambience Companion, and Max Preamp & Dual Compressor pedals for classic U2 tones.
In this UAFX Tone Swipe, you’ll learn how to create the tones and effects found on legendary U2 records like War, The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree, and more — including amp settings, effects, and mixing tools.*
Since the beginning of U2, The Edge has relied on Vox AC30 combos. As the decades wore on, he brought Fender amps in the fold — most notably tweed Fender Deluxe combos — hit with a hefty boost from a Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay. This Tone Swipe aims to stay true to his classic recipes using UAFX Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier and ’55 Woodrow Instrument Amp pedals. For these examples, a Fender Stratocaster was used, but The Edge also used a Gibson Explorer for many of his classic tones.
Other pedals used for this Tone Swipe include the UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor and Del-Verb Ambience Companion.
To recreate this classic tone in the mix, period-correct “80’s studio processing” was used, including the SSL 4000E Channel Strip and SSL G Bus Compressor plug-ins.
Using Max Compressor’s emulation of the classic Dyna Comp for subtle saturation, both Del-Verbs use Precision delay and EMT 140 plate reverb settings. The left rhythm guitar has a dotted 8th note delay while the right has a straight 8th delay.
Set up like The Edge’s tweed Deluxes, ’55 Woodrow uses the Celestion Blue alnico speaker with a hearty boost from the Korg delay, with ’55 Woodrow’s KP-3K boost engaged. The Del-Verb is set to DMM mode — an emulation of the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man analog delay — and a touch of EMT 140 plate reverb.
Blending the parts together, basic EQ and compression are applied from legendary SSL gear — just like the gear found in Dublin’s Windmill Lane studio where many of U2’s classic tracks were recorded — from 1980’s Boy to 1991’s Achtung Baby.
— Tom Waterman and Darrin Fox
Thanks for reading! Thoughts? Comments? Let us know at uablog@uaudio.com
Guitars played by Jack Griffiths @jackgriffithsmusic.
*Use of artist name(s) does not constitute official endorsement of UA products or services.
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