Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Jump to content

Trying to duplicate The Spirit of Radio’s opening riff flanger tone


boynigel
 Share

Recommended Posts

I’m trying to cop the sound Lifeson got for the opening riff on The Spirit of Radio.  I’m guessing it might have been an ADA Flanger, which I believe used negative feedback. 
 

This lead me straight to the Harmonic Flanger since its based on the ADA.  I just can’t seem to get it dialed in right though. 

 

Anyone have any model and/or setting tips I might not have considered?  So far I’ve gotten closer w/my H90, but still no cigar. 

 

there's a fine line between making it sound either somewhat close, or too cocked wah-ish.

 

Maybe when I get home I’ll try one of the Legacy versions (just thought of that now), but I’d like to think I’d be able to get closer w/one of the Helix-era models.  Then again, stranger things have happened.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I got close with combination of EH Deluxe Electric Mistress and Boss CE-1 aka Courtesan Flange and 70s Chorus.

 

Try to match the rhythm tone first - then engage the Flanger and tackle the intro.

The Retro Reel can give you the 70s honk if needed.

 

Have fun!

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/6/2023 at 1:55 AM, MGW-Alberta said:

Try the Gray Flanger with these rough settings as a starting point:

 

Rate 6

Width 6

Manual 8

Regen 6

Mix 50 

 

It can't hurt to try it.

 

Also try using the Line 6 2204 Mod amp block

 

thanks, will give it a try.  was already using the 2204 block.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Alex Lifeson used an EH EM flanger on the Exit Stage Left album (Moving Pictures tour).  Spirit of Radio was the opening song trom that album so I would try the Cortesean Flange.  Here is a link to the Rush Gear Wiki: https://rush.fandom.com/wiki/Alex_Lifeson_equipment#Hemispheres

 

 And here is a tone template with the other gear in case this helps: https://line6.com/tone-templates-diagrams/alex-lifeson--moving-pictures-tour-rig.html

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Aparedes is right.  its about the Cortesean Flange. its as close as i have been able to get after trying just about everything in the Helix.

 

We will likely never come close to right chain to get this sound. We have to remember, Alex did the album at Le Studio with speakers pointed at massive tree covered hill (they called a Mountain) about a hundred meters out the back door and across a little lake.  We will never get that kind of reverb for the thoaty flange without our own mountain.

 

But you can get close and I promise , do the leprican riff and nobody will ever complain about your flange sound as long as it sweeps at the right rate.

 

I am using a slower rate on the Cortesean Flange (0.2) jacked up to 80% mix with good results. My tempo is at 120. I put a Trinity Chorus right after with the rate set at 1.7 and lots of depth (7,6,7).  After that i split signal and feed a  2204 mod amp on the right and a whowhat 100 on the left.  Only then do I get to the 70s Chorus and finally a the ducking reverb with a long delay on the left side only.  The intro was recorded on Alex's white ES-335 but I use a modded  HHS Strat so i can have the tremolo in the solo.  I compensate with way too many staged equalizers (two parametrics) before the flange and finish the chain with a  compressor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

p

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...