[Taiki Kumagai] How to Recreate the Helsinki Lambda Club Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

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Introduction (Overview of Tone)

Taiki Kumagai, the guitarist of Helsinki Lambda Club, is a pivotal figure in shaping the band’s unique guitar sound. His guitar work goes beyond merely strumming chords; he creates driving riffs with distortion and paints ethereal soundscapes using ambient effects.

The songs of Helsinki Lambda Club, influenced by post-punk and indie rock, are characterized by catchy melodies. Kumagai expertly balances aggression and space, adding depth to the music. Iconic tracks like “PIZZASHAKE” and “Eastern Youth” showcase a warm crunch from his signature orange amp combined with spatial effects, resulting in a sound that transcends typical indie rock and embodies a distinct artistic quality.

Moreover, Kumagai places a high emphasis on live performance authenticity, utilizing a complex effects board to replicate studio-quality sound during concerts. His use of the BOSS ES-8 switching system allows him to seamlessly combine multiple effects, a hallmark of his sound design.

Understanding his approach to sound is essential to grasping the essence of Helsinki Lambda Club’s music. By examining the amplifiers, guitars, and effects he employs, we can unravel how Taiki Kumagai’s sound is constructed.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of Helsinki Lambda Club

List of Amplifiers and Features

Taiki Kumagai primarily uses the Orange AD30 head paired with the PPC212B cabinet. This combination is renowned for producing a classic sound favored by indie rock and garage rock guitarists. The AD30 is characterized by its natural compression and rich midrange, ensuring it stands out without getting lost in the band’s overall sound.

The crunch sound of the AD30 offers a wide dynamic range, where light picking yields a cleaner tone, while aggressive playing brings out the distortion. Kumagai’s style maximizes this feature, allowing for subtle nuances even with simple chord work. Notably, during live performances, he can alter the song’s expression solely through the guitar’s volume knob and picking intensity.

The PPC212B cabinet features Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, providing a rich midrange that ensures both cutting and lead sounds are prominent. This clarity allows his guitar to be heard distinctly on stage, maintaining a perfect balance within Helsinki Lambda Club’s twin-guitar setup.

There are also reports of him using Fender amps, particularly in studio or smaller venues. The use of clean amps like the Twin Reverb with pedals is common among similar indie rock bands, suggesting that Kumagai may have switched between setups depending on the situation. However, the most confirmed usage remains the Orange AD30.

Overall, Kumagai’s amp settings revolve around a “crunch base layered with diverse effects.” The AD30’s expressive capabilities provide a solid foundation for the crafted sounds from his effects, making it an integral part of his sound design. Thus, understanding the characteristics of this Orange amp is crucial for recreating his live sound.

Types of Guitars Used and Features

When it comes to guitars, Kumagai frequently uses the D’Angelico Deluxe Bedford SH Matte Walnut with Wilkinson 6-point Tremolo, which has been highlighted in recent live performances and interviews. This semi-hollow structure is lightweight and offers a modern yet vintage aesthetic. The Wilkinson tremolo allows for expressive playing with arm techniques and subtle pitch variations.

A significant feature of this guitar is its “semi-hollow structure” combined with “SS pickups,” which contribute to the psychedelic atmosphere present in Helsinki Lambda Club’s music. Even when distorted, the core remains intact, and the clean tone provides a warm, three-dimensional resonance, making it versatile for both indie rock and pop.

While D’Angelico is his main choice, fans have speculated that he may have previously used Fender guitars, such as Mustangs or Telecasters. In the indie music scene, it’s common to utilize multiple guitars for their unique sounds and playability. Given the diverse arrangements of Helsinki Lambda Club, it’s likely he incorporates backup guitars depending on the song or tour.

The Deluxe Bedford SH is a modern guitar capable of covering a range from jazzy tones to rock distortion, showcasing Kumagai’s ability to manipulate sound effectively. Its lightweight design also reduces fatigue during long performances, significantly contributing to his live shows.

In summary, Kumagai’s guitar selection emphasizes both “versatility” and “uniqueness.” By choosing a distinctive brand like D’Angelico over more conventional options like Fender, he ensures a consistent yet differentiated sound character. It’s anticipated that he will continue to use D’Angelico as his main guitar while integrating others based on the music and context.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup

Kumagai’s effects board is central to the diverse sounds heard in Helsinki Lambda Club’s music. He employs a complex system centered around the BOSS ES-8 switcher, allowing him to switch between various distortion, ambient, and modulation effects seamlessly. This switching system enables him to recreate meticulously programmed settings for each song during live performances.

In terms of distortion, he utilizes four different pedals: EarthQuaker Devices Plumes, Friedman BE-OD Deluxe, JHS Pedals Kilt, and ELECTROGRAVE Peipper Fuzz. Plumes offers a clear overdrive, BE-OD Deluxe provides a Marshall-like high-gain distortion, Kilt serves as a boost or overdrive, and Peipper Fuzz delivers a noisy fuzz character, allowing him to switch tonal colors according to the song.

For ambient effects, he incorporates high-quality digital effects like BOSS DD-500, BOSS MO-500, and Strymon BigSky, all of which are highly regarded among professionals. The DD-500 features a variety of delay algorithms, the MO-500 covers modulation effects, and BigSky creates rich reverb spaces, adding depth and ethereality to Kumagai’s playing. Notably, the shimmer reverb from BigSky is a key element in creating the dreamy soundscape characteristic of Helsinki Lambda Club.

Additionally, unique effects like Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44 Reverse Variable Clock Reverser and Paradox Effects Arquitecto are included, injecting experimental elements into the music with reverse playback sounds and unconventional modulation effects. These selections reflect Kumagai’s adventurous spirit in sound design, forming a distinct “Kumagai sound” rather than merely replicating existing tones.

The entire board is powered by the Fender Engine Room LVL12 Power Supply, ensuring stable power management that minimizes noise even when driving multiple digital effects and distortion pedals simultaneously. This meticulous power management is crucial for delivering consistent sound during live performances and studio work.

In summary, Kumagai’s pedalboard comprises three key elements: “diverse distortion,” “rich ambient effects,” and “experimental special effects.” By skillfully managing these with the ES-8, he crafts a unique sonic world for each song. While confirmed usage information is available through official social media and live photos, some equipment may change depending on the song or time period, suggesting that not all pedals are fixed at all times.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches

The core of Kumagai’s sound design lies in the “natural crunch of the amp” and the “layering of diverse effects.” When using the Orange AD30, he typically sets the gain low, allowing for a clean to crunch transition with light picking, while stronger picking leans towards distortion. The EQ is adjusted to boost the midrange while keeping the low end subdued, ensuring clarity within the band’s overall sound.

For instance, it can be speculated that his AD30 tone settings often include Bass around 10-11 o’clock, Middle at 1-2 o’clock, and Treble around noon. This configuration avoids interference with the bass and drums while maintaining the guitar’s presence. The Gain is set around noon, and the Volume is adjusted based on the venue size. Since live settings are typically mic’d, the sound coming directly from the amp is likely a bit dry, with the PA adding ambient effects.

Distortion effects are also crucial in his sound. The overdrive pedal Plumes adds a light distortion while maintaining clarity in chord progressions. For more intense songs, the BE-OD Deluxe provides a Marshall-like high gain, bringing riffs and solos to the forefront. Additionally, the Kilt is used as a booster to elevate volume while enhancing the drive. The Peipper Fuzz is often employed for noisy, experimental moments or explosive outros.

In terms of ambient effects, the DD-500 delay thickens rhythm guitar phrases, while the BigSky reverb adds a sense of ethereality to the overall sound. The shimmer reverb, in particular, is essential for achieving the dreamy quality often found in Helsinki Lambda Club’s music. Modulation effects like the MO-500 and Arquitecto are used to add chorus or vibrato-like fluctuations to avoid monotony in clean tones.

Moreover, the reverse effect from the BL-44 Reverse Variable Clock Reverser serves as a key element in recreating psychedelic textures that would otherwise rely on editing or reverse processing in recordings. This allows the audience to experience a sound quality comparable to the studio recordings.

From a mixing perspective, Kumagai’s guitar is intentionally not overly centered in the mix. In the twin-guitar setup of Helsinki Lambda Club, his sound is panned slightly to the left, creating a three-dimensional sound field in contrast to the other guitar. In EQ processing, it is assumed that engineers roll off some of the high frequencies while emphasizing the midrange, ensuring the guitar doesn’t become piercing while remaining prominent within the band’s overall sound.

In summary, Kumagai’s sound design revolves around “simple amp settings as a foundation, enhanced by diverse pedals.” While the amp settings are relatively conventional, the combination and application of effects create a unique personality. In PA and recording settings, the sound is carefully positioned and EQ’d to reach listeners as “Kumagai’s sound.” Therefore, to replicate his setup, one must focus on producing a simple amp tone while building the soundscape with effects.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone

Given that Kumagai’s gear often consists of high-end professional models, it can be daunting for beginners or intermediate players. However, by capturing the “essence” of his sound, it is possible to recreate a similar tone with relatively affordable equipment. Here, we will introduce commercially available models that can be obtained for around $100 to $500.

For distortion, strong alternatives to the Friedman BE-OD Deluxe include BOSS’s DS-1 and ST-2 Power Stack. The DS-1 is a classic distortion pedal that has been beloved for years, easily producing amp-like distortion. The ST-2 can simulate Marshall-like crunch to high gain, making it a suitable live alternative to the BE-OD Deluxe.

In terms of overdrive, the BOSS SD-1 Super OverDrive is a fitting substitute for the EarthQuaker Devices Plumes. Like Plumes, it offers a bright tone and clarity, making it suitable for chord playing without muddiness. Additionally, for boost applications similar to the JHS Kilt, the BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver is beneficial, offering a wide gain range from light crunch to robust boost.

For fuzz, the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Nano is a classic alternative to the ELECTROGRAVE Peipper Fuzz. It features a noisy, thick wall of sound, making it ideal for shoegaze and indie rock’s heavy soundscapes.

For ambient effects, combining the BOSS RV-6 (reverb) and BOSS DD-8 (delay) can serve as effective alternatives to high-end multi-effects like Strymon BigSky and BOSS DD-500. The RV-6 includes shimmer reverb, allowing for a similar ethereal quality at a lower price point. The DD-8 features tap tempo functionality, providing high versatility for live use, even if it lacks the extensive features of the DD-500.

For modulation, options like the BOSS CE-2W Chorus and MXR Phase 90 are viable candidates. While they may not match the MO-500’s complexity, simply adding chorus or phaser effects can recreate Kumagai’s characteristic sound at a more accessible price.

On the power supply front, budget-friendly options like One Control Distro Minimal or CAJ AC/DC Station are recommended as alternatives to the Fender Engine Room. Power stability directly impacts sound quality, so even affordable models can yield significant benefits.

In conclusion, the easiest and most reliable way to recreate Taiki Kumagai’s sound is to focus on a combination of BOSS pedals. By assembling classic models like the SD-1, RV-6, and DD-8, one can experience the floating crunch sound characteristic of Helsinki Lambda Club’s music.

Summary and Conclusion

In summary, Taiki Kumagai’s sound design can be distilled into the concept of “natural amp crunch as a foundation, enhanced by layered effects.” He does not overly rely on distortion but rather values the nuances of picking dynamics and volume control, adding effects where necessary to create a compelling soundscape. This balance of “human nuance and diverse equipment resonance” is what makes the guitar sound of Helsinki Lambda Club so special.

Specifically, the natural crunch of the Orange AD30 serves as a base, with distortions like Plumes and BE-OD Deluxe adding depth, while ambient effects like BigSky and DD-500 provide spatial richness. The addition of reverse and unique modulation effects further enhances the psychedelic texture. This approach transcends mere guitar playing, functioning as an integral part of the overall “sound design” of the music.

As evident from his pedalboard setup, there is also a strong emphasis on versatility across genres. From the rawness of garage rock to pop-like cuts and experimental noise approaches, Kumagai has established a system that allows him to summon all these sounds live. The presence of the BOSS ES-8 switching system is crucial for this meticulous recreation of sound for each performance, showcasing his professionalism.

For readers looking to replicate Taiki Kumagai’s sound, understanding the “basic crunch from the amp” is paramount. Following that, focusing on the combination of overdrive and reverb/delay can significantly enhance the atmosphere. If possible, incorporating reverse effects and fuzz can further strengthen the psychedelic quality inherent in his sound.

Overall, Kumagai’s sound design is not just about “combining equipment” but rather about “how to present the atmosphere of the song.” Therefore, when attempting to replicate his sound, it is essential to consider not only the equipment but also how to express the mood of each song. In essence, the heart of Taiki Kumagai’s sound lies in “expressiveness and a spirit of experimentation,” which supports the unique sound of Helsinki Lambda Club.