Dial in an Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) Style Tone
In this lesson you’re going to check out some Adrian Smith inspired tones.
Through all the albums Adrian has done with Iron Maiden, he doesn’t tend to change tones on a song by song basis, but rather a whole album. So, the tones in this lesson are based around specific tones he used at big moments in the bands career. These tones may not translate perfectly to every single song on the album they’re based on, but they’re a good generic “that era” tone.
Number of the Beast Era Tone
This is a mid bumped drive tone without too much saturation. You want it to be a very biting tone with lots of attack. Use the Super Crunch voice paired with EL34s and you’ll be in the ballpark.
This tone has a hall reverb for space and a Tape Delay and Chorus for thickening the tone. The chorus isn’t that audible, but you can feel it’s there.
Download This Patch: http://www.blackstarinsider.co.uk/site/view.php?id=6215&name=ADRIANBEAST
Powerslave Era Tone
This tone is a little heavier. It’s using the OD1 voice with the gain rolled back. Keep the mids pushed but bring the top end up for a little more attack.
This tone also uses tape delay and chorus to thicken the tone, however in this era the delay is pushed slightly, and the chorus backed off. The chorus is set very subtly. There is also a spring reverb on this tone to keep the ambient space tight.
Download This Patch: http://www.blackstarinsider.co.uk/site/view.php?id=6218&name=ADRIANPOWERSLAVE
Somewhere in Time Era Tone
By this era, the band were moving heavily into more progressive territory and the guitar tone was changing to adapt. This is a higher gain tone with a promiment mid scoop. Drop the mids a little but keep the overall feel in the British amp world by keeping the EL34s paired with the British ISF.
This tone has a lot of processing. A large sounding hall reverb creates the space while a more audible tape slapback delay and chorus create that 80s swirl.
Download This Patch: http://www.blackstarinsider.co.uk/site/view.php?id=6216&name=ADRIANINTIME
Brave New World Era Tone
When Adrian rejoined Iron Maiden for the 2000 album Brave New World he was sporting a no nonsense rock tone. Bring those mids back in and keep the top end sounding very forward and present. EL34s and a British ISF paired with the OD1 voice will get you firmly in the ball park.
This tone is stripped down. It has no delay or chorus on. Just a spring reverb to create a little space.
Download This Patch: http://www.blackstarinsider.co.uk/site/view.php?id=6217&name=ADRIANNEWWORLD