[RENO] How to Recreate the ViViD Sound + Guitar Gear and Tone Settings [Effects & Amps]

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Introduction (Overview of Tone)

RENO, the guitarist of ViViD, has captivated fans with his emotional and speedy guitar playing from the band’s early days to his solo career. His sound is characterized by a brilliant clean tone that coexists with a solid high-gain sound. In particular, his ballads feature transparent arpeggios enhanced by spatial effects, while his rock tunes showcase powerful riffs that utilize the lower strings.

In the iconic ViViD song “BLUE,” RENO’s sharp sound can be heard using the Ibanez J-Custom RG, while in his solo career, he shifted towards a thicker and more pronounced sound with custom models from G-Life Guitars. The use of .052 gauge strings on his six-string guitar is also a crucial factor in supporting the thickness of his sound.

Moreover, RENO values delicate nuances in live performances, achieving a stable sound centered around the Kemper Profiling Amplifier. He pays attention to detail, such as tuning to A=441Hz when collaborating with a piano, which supports his unique playing style.

This diversity and expressiveness in his sound go beyond mere technical play, enhancing the drama of the entire composition. RENO’s distinctive sound can be appreciated not only in ViViD’s songs but also in his instrumental works as a solo artist.

In the following sections, we will delve into the amplifiers, guitars, and effects used by RENO, providing specific points for recreating his sound.

▶ Search official YouTube videos of ViViD

List of Amplifiers and Features

RENO’s amplifier setup has evolved significantly from his band days to his solo career. During the ViViD era, he primarily used the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, which is well-suited for metal and hard rock. He combined it with a 4×12 Recto Standard Slant Cabinet, creating a thick rhythm and sharp lead sound. The aggressive drive sound played a crucial role in supporting the speed of ViViD’s music.

After transitioning to solo activities, RENO introduced the Kemper Profiling Amplifier, enhancing sound reproduction and stability. He uses a dedicated rig called “RENO Backing 1,” precisely profiling his tone to ensure flexibility for both band sound and solo instrumental performances. The Kemper’s ability to deliver a consistent tone regardless of the venue size or environment is a significant advantage, becoming a pillar of his professional activities.

Notably, the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier is sometimes used as a power amp for the Kemper, combining the traditional analog power with the latest digital profiling technology in a hybrid setup. The cabinet used is the Mesa/Boogie 4×12 Recto Standard Slant Armor version, ensuring thick lows and expansive mids and highs, maximizing his presence in live performances.

These amplifier systems enable RENO to express a wide range of sounds, from hard-edged tones to clear and expressive clean tones. Particularly in his solo work, the combination with spatial effects highlights the dramatic quality of the entire composition.

In summary, RENO’s amplifier environment is a hybrid configuration that merges “the analog power of Mesa/Boogie” with “the digital reproducibility of Kemper,” evolving over time while consistently maintaining stability and expressiveness.

Types of Guitars Used and Features

When discussing RENO’s sound, the guitars he uses are of utmost importance. From the early days of the band, he has primarily used Ibanez J-Custom and RG series guitars. In the MV for “BLUE,” the sharp tone and speed of the Ibanez RG are prominent. He has also been seen using 7-string models like the RG8527Z and RG9670Z, indicating a pursuit of a more modern and heavy sound. These models feature high-output pickups and thin necks, making them ideal for technical riffs and solos.

After transitioning to solo activities, RENO focused on flagship models from the high-end Japanese brand G-Life Guitars. Notably, the “DSG Life Flame Faded Denim” is positioned as RENO’s main guitar, featuring .052 gauge strings on the sixth string to ensure thickness and stability in both leads and riffs. Additionally, the “DSG Life Ash Royal Blue Turquoise” is used when tuning to A=441Hz during piano collaborations, showcasing his optimized choices for different scenarios.

In the later stages of his solo career, models like the “G-Phoenix Royal Blue Turquoise” and “Cross Edge Hannes Ash” have emerged. Both feature modern designs with through-necks and high-precision bridges, achieving smooth sustain and stable pitch. Many of these models have blue finishes, visually enhancing RENO’s stage presence.

In acoustic settings, he sometimes uses Takamine’s electro-acoustic guitars, demonstrating versatility across various styles. Overall, RENO exhibits flexibility in choosing guitars that match the musical context while consistently pursuing a balance of stability from thicker strings and brilliant high frequencies. This approach allows him to establish a consistent “RENO sound” in both live and recording settings.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup

RENO’s pedalboard is simple yet boasts a high level of completeness. The basic distortion is created using the G-Life Guitars Black Buster and Gemini Booster, with the Black Buster typically set to a moderate gain for booster-like use. This adds thickness to the drive sounds from the Mesa/Boogie and Kemper, achieving a clearer tone during solos.

By using the booster in conjunction, he can control the sound from clean to high gain, adapting to the dynamics of the songs. The Gemini Booster, in particular, has been confirmed in live performances since his solo career, often used to emphasize picking nuances.

For tuning, he employs the tc electronic PolyTune2 Noir. Compact yet highly visible, it ensures stable operation in professional settings. Additionally, he uses the Free The Tone PT-1D for power supply, providing stable power to multiple pedals and ensuring a noise-free environment.

RENO used the Roland FC-200 MIDI foot controller for many years but transitioned to the successor FC-300 after 2018. This upgrade allows for smoother switching of Kemper rigs and control of multi-effects, significantly enhancing his performance flexibility during live shows. Furthermore, he has previously used the EV-5 expression pedal, which accommodated volume and wah-like expressions.

Overall, RENO’s board combines high-end brands with practical equipment, achieving a balance of “stability and expressiveness.” While the number of effects is not excessively high, each is optimized and utilized to support his wide sound range.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches

RENO’s sound creation is not just about equipment selection; it is strongly reflected in meticulous settings and collaboration with the PA system. During his time with ViViD, the twin-guitar setup necessitated careful sound separation. He centered his approach around the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, using a distortion set towards low gain and moderately emphasizing the mids to ensure that his backing sound did not get buried, while enhancing the presence of the mids during solos.

For EQ settings, he typically keeps the bass slightly lower to avoid boomy sounds, raising the mids (Mid) from around 10-11 o’clock to just past 12 o’clock. Treble and Presence are set slightly higher to ensure a bright and soaring tone. This way, RENO’s phrases stand out clearly in the overall mix.

Since adopting the Kemper Profiling Amplifier for his solo activities, the reproducibility and flexibility of his sound have dramatically improved. The Kemper rig “RENO Backing 1” is said to faithfully replicate his Mesa settings, evolving the basic EQ balance from the ViViD era into a tighter and more organized sound. This consistency across different live venues is a significant strength.

Furthermore, by combining the booster (Gemini Booster) and Black Buster, he accentuates the contours of his sound during solos and arpeggios. The Black Buster is set to push the preamp with lower gain, reinforcing Kemper’s clean tones and mid-gain sounds. This allows for rich reproduction of picking nuances and expressiveness.

In live settings, RENO ensures stability in the lows by using .052 gauge strings, maintaining a defined tone even during drop tunings. Additionally, when collaborating with a piano, he finely adjusts the tuning to A=441Hz, ensuring clarity in the overall ensemble. His strong commitment to pitch accuracy is evident.

In mixing, it is presumed that he collaborates with engineers to avoid excessive compression, allowing dynamics to shine through. Spatial effects (reverb, delay) are set lightly, prioritizing the overall dimensionality of the song rather than depth for the guitar alone. Particularly in instrumental works, the guitar assumes a vocal-like role, using appropriate delay times to give the melody depth.

In summary, RENO’s sound creation is characterized by three pillars: “ensuring mid-range presence in the band,” “achieving clarity during solos with the booster,” and “stability from thick strings and tuning precision.” By maximizing the character of the guitar and simply combining amplifiers and effects, he ultimately balances the overall sound through adjustments with the PA system.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone

While RENO’s sound is supported by high-end equipment, it is possible for beginners and intermediate players to approach a similar tone at a more accessible price point. The key is to focus on three aspects: “solid distortion,” “mid-range-forward EQ,” and “stable boost.” Here, we will introduce alternative gear priced around $100 to $500 (up to $1,000) that can help recreate his sound.

For distortion pedals, candidates include the BOSS DS-1X and BOSS SD-1W. These can be utilized similarly to the Black Buster, functioning as low-gain boosters that push amplifiers or simulators. The SD-1W, in particular, has a strong mid-range presence, making it easier to replicate RENO’s desired “clarity during solos.”

Regarding amplifiers, while the Kemper is expensive, alternatives like the Line 6 POD Go or BOSS GT-1000 Core multi-effects/amp simulators are more realistic options. These units include modeling of Mesa/Boogie amps, allowing users to easily recreate the thickness and edge that RENO prefers. The user-friendly design of the Line 6 POD Go makes it appealing for both live and studio use.

For tuners, the tc electronic PolyTune series is ideal, but if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the BOSS TU-3 is a classic choice. Known for its durability, it is a reliable tuner for stage use. Similarly, while the Free The Tone PT-1D power supply is high-end, cost-effective options like the CAJ AC/DC Station or One Control Iguana Tail can provide great performance.

If you want to enhance the expressiveness of your boost, the Xotic EP Booster is highly effective. It adds clarity to the sound while naturally pushing from clean to drive, similar to the Gemini Booster. Actively using EQ to boost the mids will also help you get closer to RENO’s “singing guitar solos.”

In summary, to recreate RENO’s sound affordably, a practical approach would be to combine “BOSS pedals + modeling amp + booster.” Even without high-end gear, with the right choices and settings, you can effectively experience his nuances.

Summary and Conclusion

RENO’s sound creation transcends mere equipment combinations, emphasizing “nuance reproduction” and “overall sound harmony.” From his band days to his solo career, he has consistently sought a solid tone and transparent phrases. As a result, he has established a guitar sound that retains definition even in high gain and depth in clean tones.

Specifically, his foundation is built on amplifiers and modeling systems like the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier and Kemper Profiling Amplifier, using the Black Buster at low gain for boosting, reinforcing contours with the Gemini Booster, and ensuring low stability with .052 gauge strings. These meticulous combinations allow RENO’s playing to stand out within the overall composition while harmonizing with other parts.

Another significant aspect of his sound creation is “producing diverse expressions with a simple setup.” His pedalboard consists of essential distortion, booster, tuner, and power supply, while incorporating the Kemper and MIDI controller for flexible adjustments at different venues. Avoiding complexity, he optimizes his setup according to his playing style and songs, embodying a minimalist approach to sound creation.

For readers aiming to recreate RENO’s sound, it is crucial to understand that “copying expensive gear” is not the goal; rather, grasping “why he chooses specific gear and settings” is key. Questions like why he opts for thicker strings, why he uses the booster at low gain, and why he emphasizes mids in EQ are all connected to the essence of his sound creation.

Ultimately, if we were to describe RENO’s sound in words, it would be “a fusion of expressive emotion and solid foundation.” His guitar solos resonate like a song, riffs firmly support the band, and clean tones provide space and transparency to the compositions. In every aspect, his sound exists “where needed, in the form needed,” which is likely why he has captivated so many listeners. Learning from his approach will undoubtedly serve as a significant guideline for those exploring sound creation.