How to Recreate Leda’s Signature Guitar Tone (BABYMETAL, Kami Band, DELUHI, GALNERYUS)

Introduction – Who Is Leda?

Leda (also known as YU-TO) is a multifaceted, technically brilliant guitarist best known for his work with BABYMETAL’s Kami Band, DELUHI, GALNERYUS, UNDIVIDE, and his projects as a Vocaloid producer and member of Aooo. His style seamlessly blends emotional expression with jaw-dropping technical skill, supported by a highly refined tone design that crosses genres—from modern metal and progressive rock to pop and beyond.

At the core of Leda’s tone is a powerful high-gain foundation, balanced with pristine note separation and clarity. This balance reflects his producer-like approach to guitar tone: every note has purpose, every frequency has intent.

During his DELUHI era, Leda’s phrasing heavily relied on aggressive distortion and creative whammy techniques. With BABYMETAL, he shifted toward using the KEMPER Profiler to build a versatile and highly consistent amp palette. His use of multiscale, headless guitars—like those from Strandberg and ESP—defines him as one of the most forward-thinking players in modern metal.

In recent years, his sound design has also extended to electronic projects like Vocaloid tracks and the band Aooo, where he continues to refine a sound that fuses individuality with studio-level reproducibility. Leda doesn’t just play guitar—he designs sound to function within the full ensemble, always with a professional mindset.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the gear Leda uses—from amps and guitars to effects—and explore alternative gear options for those looking to emulate his tone on a tighter budget.

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Amplifiers – The Foundation of Leda’s Versatility

Leda’s amp choices reflect his wide-ranging musical activities. Whether live or in the studio, three key concepts define his selections: reproducibility, sound pressure, and note separation.

For live shows, especially with BABYMETAL and the Kami Band, Leda relies on the KEMPER Profiler. He has stated in interviews that it provides consistent high-quality tone throughout tours, with meticulously programmed amp and pedal simulations.

At the 2015 Saitama Super Arena show, he was seen using a Baron Custom Amplifier—a high-gain head with tonal characteristics similar to the Peavey 5150. This amp delivered a tight low end and massive rhythm tone that left a strong impression.

Leda has also employed a variety of high-gain tube amps throughout his career, including the ENGL Powerball, ENGL Fireball 100, and MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier. These amps are mainstays in modern metal and progressive rock, known for their punchy mids and smooth gain response.

Classic amps are also in his rotation. For example, the Marshall 2203KK (Kerry King model) and 1959RR (Randy Rhoads model) offer more organic distortion and rich overtones, ideal for genre blending. The JCM2000 sits somewhere in between, offering broader tonal flexibility.

In other projects such as with DAIGO☆STARDUST, he has used Friedman amps—known for their refined take on the Marshall 1959 circuit, blending clarity and character.

Leda’s flexibility in choosing amps shows that he doesn’t commit to a single sound source. Instead, he adapts his rig to the project and song at hand, a hallmark of professional-level tone design.

Gear Summary Table – Amplifiers

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Project	Guitarist	Notes
KEMPER PROFILER	Kemper	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	Main modeling rig for live use. Extremely reliable.
Baron Custom Amplifiers	Baron	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	5150-style high-gain. Used in 2015 SSA performance.
ENGL Powerball	ENGL	Amazon Link	DELUHI	Leda	Ideal for modern metal. Tight, heavy, and defined.
Marshall 2203KK	Marshall	Amazon Link	DELUHI	Leda	Kerry King’s model. Sharp and aggressive tone.
MESA/Boogie Dual Rectifier	MESA/Boogie	Amazon Link	GALNERYUS	Leda	Thick, saturated gain. A modern high-gain staple.
Friedman Amplifier	Friedman	Amazon Link	DAIGO☆STARDUST	Leda	Boutique amp with classic Marshall flavor.

Guitars – Leda’s Arsenal of Multiscale Precision

Leda’s guitar choices are a direct reflection of his technical prowess and tonal flexibility. He is known for his mastery of extended-range guitars and his preference for modern, ergonomic designs—especially the headless, multiscale guitars from Strandberg.

Strandberg Signature Models

At the center of his rig are his signature models: the Strandberg LEDA 8 and LEDA 7. These guitars are specifically tailored to Leda’s needs and feature Bare Knuckle Aftermath pickups, which deliver tight low-end clarity and articulate note definition even in high-gain scenarios.

For his work with BABYMETAL and Kami Band, Leda frequently uses guitars equipped with active pickups, such as EMG 707 (neck) and 81-7 (bridge). One such model is the Strandberg Boden 8 EMG, which gives him the aggressive yet controlled tone needed for intense riffing.

In certain live setups, he has also employed Seymour Duncan Sentient + Nazgul pickup combinations—highlighting his attention to detail and ability to adapt his tone to specific musical contexts.

ESP Era and Traditional Influences

During the later DELUHI years, Leda turned to ESP models like the Cygnus and Horizon-II NT. These guitars offered versatile tonal palettes through unique pickup configurations such as Bill Lawrence L-500 (bridge) and Duncan SPH90-1 (neck). The Horizon-II, in particular, was favored for its focused midrange presence—ideal for cutting through complex band mixes.

Earlier in his career, he was seen using traditional shapes like Flying Vs and Les Paul-style guitars from Navigator and EDWARDS. These included the Navigator N-FV Leda CTM and E-EX-92D, delivering a more classic metal aesthetic while maintaining modern playability.

One notable performance at Saitama Super Arena featured Leda using a custom 6-string ESP guitar loaded with EMG 85 (neck) and 81 (bridge) pickups. The tone was so impressive that fellow guitarist Mikio Fujioka famously remarked it was “infuriatingly good.”

Across all his projects—from the brutal riffs of DELUHI to the melodically rich solos in GALNERYUS—Leda’s guitars are an extension of his artistic identity: technical, modern, and genre-fluid.

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Gear Summary Table – Guitars

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Project	Guitarist	Type	Notes
Strandberg LEDA 8	Strandberg	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	8-string electric	Signature model with Aftermath pickups. High-gain optimized.
Strandberg Boden 8 EMG	Strandberg	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	8-string electric	EMG 707/81-7 loaded. Commonly used in live shows.
ESP Cygnus	ESP	Amazon Link	DELUHI	Leda	6-string electric	Equipped with L-500 and SPH90-1. Late DELUHI main axe.
ESP Horizon-II NT Leda CTM	ESP	Amazon Link	GALNERYUS	Leda	6-string electric	L-500 and SH-1 setup. Known for powerful mids.
Navigator N-FV Leda CTM	Navigator	Amazon Link	DELUHI	Leda	Flying V	SH-55 + SH-2. Used during DELUHI’s early period.
ESP Custom 6-string EMG85/81	ESP	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	6-string electric	Used at SSA show. Highly praised by Mikio Fujioka for its clarity.

Effects Pedals & Board Setup – Leda’s Precision in Detail

Leda’s pedalboard reflects his meticulous attention to tonal shaping and versatility—especially necessary for handling the sonic demands of extended-range guitars in heavy genres. His effects setup includes a wide variety of high-quality pedals, designed to support crushing rhythms, expressive solos, and ambient textures alike.

Distortion & Boost

For gain stages, Leda often stacks multiple distortion and overdrive pedals to tailor his tone for different contexts:

• Fulltone OCD – a go-to overdrive pedal known for its strong midrange and smooth clipping.
• BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver and DS-1 – used both for lead boosts and foundational distortion tones.
• Suhr Eclipse and FAT 412.D – boutique-quality distortion pedals that provide tight response and clarity.

Additionally, he utilizes boosters like the MXR Micro Amp, DOD Overdrive Plus, and BOSS SD-1 to bring out the attack in solos or add grit to rhythm parts.

Modulation & Ambience

Leda adds movement and color to his playing through carefully selected modulation effects:

• MXR EVH Phase 90 – used for subtle swirling textures, especially before solos.
• TC Electronic Corona Chorus and BOSS CE-2 – classic chorus effects with vintage flavor that add depth without muddying the signal.

His delay and reverb choices are equally intentional:

• TC Electronic Flashback Delay (X4) – highly programmable and rugged, suited for stage use.
• Line 6 DL4 and TC G-Major – rack and stomp-based units that allow multi-preset switching and creative time-based effects.

Pitch & Wah Control

To further expand his sonic palette, Leda incorporates:

• DigiTech Whammy DT – for dramatic pitch shifts and divebombs in heavy riffing.
• Cry Baby, VOX V847/V846-HW, and Budda Wahs – each with its own tonal flavor, selected depending on the song or live context.

Notably, he sometimes rotates between 3–4 wah pedals, showing his dedication to tone precision at every level.

Floor Units & Modeling Integration

In addition to stompboxes, Leda uses:

• Fractal AX8 – an all-in-one multi-effects processor, offering fast preset switching and robust tone control for live gigs.
• TC Electronic G-System – rack-style modulation and delay engine.
• Mission Engineering EP1-KP – an expression pedal designed specifically for KEMPER, allowing for seamless control of wah, volume, or other parameters during performance.

These combinations allow Leda to adapt his setup effortlessly between studio and stage environments, ensuring consistency and flexibility no matter the situation.

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Gear Summary Table – Effects Pedals

Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Project	Guitarist	Type	Notes
OCD	Fulltone	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	Overdrive	High-mid punch. Frequently used in live settings.
BD-2	BOSS	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	Overdrive	Versatile. Also used as a clean boost.
DS-1	BOSS	Amazon Link	DELUHI	Leda	Distortion	Classic distortion. Often used for rhythm tone.
Phase90 EVH	MXR	Amazon Link	GALNERYUS	Leda	Phaser	Adds subtle motion before solos.
Flashback X4	TC Electronic	Amazon Link	Kami Band	Leda	Delay	Multiple presets for stage flexibility.
Whammy DT	DigiTech	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	Pitch Shifter	Used for dramatic octave/range shifts in key parts.
EP1-KP	Mission Engineering	Amazon Link	BABYMETAL	Leda	Expression Pedal	Controls volume/wah via KEMPER.
AX8	Fractal Audio	Amazon Link	Kami Band	Leda	Multi-Effects Unit	Preset-based live setup. Handles complex routing.

Tone Crafting – EQ, Settings, and Mix Philosophy

Leda’s approach to tone isn’t just about gear—it’s about musical architecture. His guitar tones are finely tuned to suit each song and ensemble, blending technical rigor with an ear for spatial and frequency dynamics. Whether live or in the studio, his tones are built to cut, support, and inspire.

KEMPER as a Central Hub

Leda relies heavily on the KEMPER PROFILER, especially for live performances with BABYMETAL. His profiles often simulate high-gain amps such as ENGL, MESA/Boogie, and Baron, offering a mix of heavy drive, tight low end, and articulate high mids.

He customizes his profiles meticulously—each one adapted to the demands of modern metal and the nuances of his unique playing style. The result is a tone that is both aggressive and precise, consistently delivered across venues and setlists.

Typical EQ Structure

Leda’s EQ settings are a masterclass in balance and intentionality:

• Lows: He often cuts frequencies below 60Hz to avoid muddiness, while boosting the 100–150Hz range slightly to retain body and “punch.”
• Mids: Around 500–800Hz is mildly scooped for clarity, while 1kHz–1.2kHz is boosted to enhance note presence and articulation.
• Highs: He emphasizes 4kHz–5kHz for definition but rolls off above 6kHz to prevent harsh overtones.

These choices ensure his guitar sound stays forward and clear, even in dense mixes with multiple synths, vocals, and layered guitars.

Pickup & Gain Management

Since Leda frequently uses high-output pickups like EMG 81-7, he adjusts the input gain to avoid oversaturation. To reduce noise, he incorporates noise gates and suppressors such as the ISP Decimator, especially useful when playing fast, tight riffs under heavy distortion.

Song-Specific Adjustments

• For BABYMETAL’s relentless rhythm parts, he uses tighter gate settings and more aggressive gain profiles.
• For solos in GALNERYUS or DELUHI, he often lifts the mids slightly and allows more sustain and harmonic richness for expressive phrasing.

Studio Mix Awareness

Leda doesn’t treat guitar tone in isolation—he designs his sound to “fit” within the full band mix. In studio settings, he leaves space in the midrange for vocals, keys, or drums by slightly pulling back his own frequencies. This mindset exemplifies his experience as both a guitarist and a producer.

He also pays close attention to stereo imaging—using double-tracked guitars, delay panning, and width-enhancing techniques to create massive but clear walls of sound. When working in a DAW, he treats the guitar signal further post-KEMPER, using EQ cuts and stereo placement to refine the tone within the full mix context.

Final Thoughts

Leda’s tone philosophy is about precision, balance, and purpose. His settings don’t simply sound good—they sound right in the context of each song and each band. For anyone aiming to develop a professional tone, studying Leda’s EQ and gain structuring is a great place to start.

Affordable Gear Alternatives – Getting Close to Leda’s Tone on a Budget

Leda’s rig features high-end, custom equipment and extended-range guitars—elements that might feel out of reach for beginner or intermediate players. However, with thoughtful gear selection, it’s absolutely possible to recreate a Leda-style sound without breaking the bank.

Here’s a curated list of budget-friendly gear (around ¥50,000 / ~$300–400) that can get you surprisingly close to his tone, especially for practice, home recording, or smaller live venues.

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🎛 Suggested Budget Gear for Leda-Style Tone

Type	Model	Brand	Amazon Link	Project	Guitarist	Notes
Multi-Effects Processor	G3n	ZOOM	Amazon	BABYMETAL	Leda	While it lacks true amp profiling like KEMPER, it provides strong distortion and ambience effects.
Distortion Pedal	DS-1	BOSS	Amazon	DELUHI	Leda	Leda has used this pedal himself. Great standalone or as a booster.
Booster / Overdrive	SD-1	BOSS	Amazon	BABYMETAL	Leda	Midrange-focused, works well in front of modelers or high-gain amps.
Delay Pedal	Flashback Mini Delay	TC Electronic	Amazon	BABYMETAL	Leda	A compact version of Leda’s Flashback X4. TonePrint-capable and versatile.
Amp Simulator / Preamp	R2	AMT Electronics	Amazon	DELUHI	Leda	Simulates MESA/Boogie-style high-gain tones. Great for heavy riffing.
Wah Pedal	V847A	VOX	Amazon	BABYMETAL	Leda	Common VOX model with responsive sweep. Matches Leda’s expressive lead playing.
Tuner Pedal	DT-10	KORG	Amazon	DELUHI	Leda	Leda-used staple pedal tuner. Reliable, rugged, and easy to see on stage.

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🧩 Practical Tips

• Start with a multi-effects unit like the ZOOM G3n. It gives you a broad sonic foundation—modulation, delays, drive pedals—all in one.
• Stack with a dedicated overdrive or distortion like the BOSS DS-1 or SD-1 to simulate the dual-pedal layering Leda often employs.
• Add a delay unit to reproduce the ambient feel in BABYMETAL or GALNERYUS-style leads.
• If you don’t have access to a modeler like KEMPER, consider a preamp simulator like the AMT R2 to approximate modern high-gain tones.

By combining 2–3 of these units and using smart EQ settings (as described in the previous section), you can achieve a tone that sits in the same ballpark as Leda’s—suitable for covers, jam sessions, or stepping into progressive metal territory.

Final Thoughts – The Essence of Leda’s Sound Design

Leda’s sound is not just the result of top-tier gear or flashy technique—it’s the product of deliberate, refined design philosophy. His approach blends modern innovation with classical sensibility, technical mastery with emotional depth.

Multi-Genre Mastery

Whether he’s shredding technical riffs with DELUHI, layering cinematic leads for BABYMETAL, or crafting nuanced tone for GALNERYUS, Leda’s playing always showcases remarkable flexibility. His use of Strandberg headless multiscale guitars, KEMPER profiling, and advanced effects routing enables real-time switching between massive rhythm tones and delicate leads.

For live stages, especially with BABYMETAL, his system is engineered for reliability and fluidity—capable of transitioning from high-speed picking to atmospheric interludes at the push of a button. And yet, in bands like Kami Band and GALNERYUS, his phrasing shows deep musicality and restraint, revealing the melodic core beneath the complexity.

Precision & Purpose

What truly sets Leda apart is his balance between control and freedom. He doesn’t just use a lot of gear—he uses it purposefully. Every pedal, every setting serves a role. His signal chain is clean and intentional, with gear choices that reflect not only genre but emotional context.

Leda’s experience across multiple bands has shaped his expectations for tone, leading to more refined choices: Strandberg for precision and ergonomics, ESP and Navigator for raw power and classic styling, and KEMPER/AX8 for studio-grade tonal consistency on tour.

How to Emulate Leda’s Philosophy

If you want to build a tone like Leda’s, don’t just copy his pedals—study his principles:

• Prioritize clarity and separation—even under high gain.
• Build tones with the mix in mind, not just soloed guitar.
• Use modeling gear to control variables on stage.
• Shape each frequency band with intent (EQ is your best friend).
• Let each piece of gear serve a defined purpose in your chain.

A Modern Blueprint for Guitarists

Leda represents a new generation of guitarists: those who think like producers, play like virtuosos, and design tones like engineers. His tone is not just a result of equipment—it’s the result of intention translated through gear.

Whether you’re crafting riffs in your bedroom or planning your first stage rig, there’s something to learn from Leda’s discipline. His sound is proof that technicality and emotional storytelling can—and should—coexist.