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

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Introduction (Overview of Tone)

SHINPEI, the guitarist of BREAKERZ, captivates audiences with his ability to manipulate a heavy rock sound alongside a transparent crunch. The band’s music blends elements of hard rock and pop, with his guitar providing the backbone of their compositions. Notably, the thick distortion achieved through the use of Diezel amplifiers during live performances amplifies the band’s overall power.

Iconic tracks such as “Everlasting Luv” and “SUMMER PARTY” showcase strong riffs and melodic guitar solos that leave a lasting impression. Furthermore, SHINPEI’s flexible sound design shines through in ballads and softer songs that utilize acoustic guitars. The diverse selection of guitars and amplifiers he employs gives BREAKERZ’s sound both depth and breadth, drawing listeners into their music.

SHINPEI’s meticulous tone control, utilizing various effects, allows him to craft sounds tailored to each performance or recording session. His sound is often described as “flat yet substantial” and “spatially expansive,” reflecting the professional construction skills of a seasoned guitarist.

To recreate the sound of BREAKERZ, understanding SHINPEI’s gear choices and settings is essential. The following sections will delve into the specific amplifiers, guitars, and effects he uses.

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List of Amplifiers and Features

The core of SHINPEI’s sound is anchored by the German high-gain amplifier, the Diezel Herbert. He primarily uses the MK I version, often paired with the Diezel V412 cabinet during live performances. As he has stated, “Even with a flat setting, it produces versatile distortion,” showcasing its powerful yet straightforward output. The heavy riffs and soaring solos heard in BREAKERZ’s live shows are a product of this setup.

Additionally, he sometimes combines the “Custom Audio Amplifiers 3+ / 3+ SE” preamp with the “VHT Twenty One Hundred” power amp. This configuration is a staple among professional guitarists, delivering high-gain sounds with excellent clarity. It is likely that he alternates between the Diezel and this rack system depending on the song and venue size.

SHINPEI also employs the “Matchless DC-30” for certain tracks, notably for the crunchy sound in “Hirari Mai Chiru Hana no You ni.” The DC-30 is characterized by its Class A circuitry, producing a rich midrange and a bright, responsive crunch. This versatility allows him to add various textures to BREAKERZ’s music.

In the past, he has mentioned experimenting with brands like Marshall, Hughes & Kettner, Brunetti, and Diamond. The Marshall amps, known for their classic rock sound, were a staple, but he ultimately gravitated towards the more modern and versatile Diezel.

Overall, SHINPEI’s mainstay is the Diezel Herbert, complemented by rack systems and vintage amps as needed, allowing him to create the optimal sound for each song. This combination contributes to the wide-ranging soundscapes present in BREAKERZ’s live and recorded music.

Types of Guitars Used and Features

SHINPEI’s sound is shaped by a diverse array of electric and acoustic guitars. His main guitar is the “SH605” from Sugi Guitars, with Charcoal and Honey Burst finishes confirmed during live performances. This model features a double-cut body with two humbuckers, delivering a thick rock tone. Its modern yet user-friendly design perfectly aligns with his playing style.

He also utilizes the Gibson Les Paul Standard (Vintage Sunburst) and Les Paul Custom, primarily for recording or as a secondary guitar. The Les Paul Custom, known for its heavy and thick sound, adds a British hard rock thickness to the tracks. These guitars demonstrate SHINPEI’s ability to finely tune his sound according to the song.

For acoustic performances, he showcases the “Gibson J-45 (Vintage Sunburst),” often used in ballads and acoustic arrangements. Additionally, the “Breedlove Fusion” was listed in the gear list during the production of “WITH YOU,” highlighting its role in providing a wide range of expression during recording.

For home recording and practice, the “Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS” is also featured. Compact yet delivering a modern sound, it is used for demo production and idea generation. A fan-favorite is the “COMBAT GUITARS Camouflage Custom,” which SHINPEI has stated he has used for over 15 years, confirming its presence as early as 2009. This guitar symbolizes a long-standing partnership in his sound design journey.

These guitars are strategically chosen based on the song’s style and performance environment. The modern and multifunctional Sugi SH605 serves as the foundation, complemented by traditional Gibsons and the long-loved COMBAT GUITARS, with acoustic options utilized as needed. This selection provides BREAKERZ’s music with a wide range of expression.

Effects and Pedalboard Setup

SHINPEI’s effects system is highly developed, designed to produce a wide range of sounds in both live and studio environments. The Fractal Audio Axe-Fx series plays a significant role in this setup. In 2019, he introduced the Axe-Fx II into his rack for live performances, while using the Axe-Fx III for home work, covering amplifiers, cabinets, and spatial effects. This modeler allows for a hybrid sound construction when combined with real amplifiers.

For switching, he uses the “Custom Audio Electronics RS616,” which manages MIDI and audio signals, enabling smooth operation of a large effects system. This is essential for precise tone switching during live performances.

For distortion, he employs two “tc electronic NOVA DRIVE” units, creating a flexible setup that differentiates between overdrive and distortion. He also incorporates unique drive pedals like the “LUNASTONE Distortion 1” and “Shin’s Music DUMBLOID,” crafting the ideal distortion for each song. Additionally, the “G-Life Guitars Gemini Booster” enhances clarity during solos.

In the modulation category, he uses the “MXR Phase 100” to create a classic rock phase sound. Furthermore, spatial and tone-correcting effects such as “Shin’s Music Perfect Volume,” “Junction Box,” and the BOSS TU-2 tuner are integrated into the system. The MIDI Solutions Quadra Thru distributes signals, ensuring the stability of the complex rack system, showcasing a professional-level setup.

Overall, SHINPEI’s effects system is both extensive and precise, focusing on efficiently creating the necessary tones for actual songs. From simple rock riffs to expansive phrases, every sound is designed to convey a sense of authenticity.

Tone Settings, EQ, and Mixing Approaches

SHINPEI’s sound design is characterized by a meticulous approach that leverages the strengths of his amplifiers while making subtle adjustments to EQ and effects for each song. The main amplifier, the Diezel Herbert, is often set to a near-flat configuration, with bass, mid, and treble typically around the 12 o’clock position. This allows the natural character of the amp to shine through, with effects and picking nuances adding individual flair.

In rhythm guitar settings, the gain is usually kept at around 50-60%, tightening the low end to clarify the sound. The midrange is adjusted based on the song; it tends to be cut for heavier tracks and emphasized for pop-oriented songs. Treble is slightly boosted within a comfortable range to ensure brightness without harshness, allowing the guitar sound to stand out alongside DAIGO’s vocals.

During solo sections, he combines the booster (G-Life Guitars Gemini Booster) and overdrive (Shin’s Music DUMBLOID) to slightly increase gain while emphasizing the midrange for clarity. Spatial effects like reverb and delay are lightly added to create depth. When using the Axe-Fx II/III, specific presets are called up to synchronize delay times with the song, ensuring precise sound design during live performances.

For clean and crunchy tones, he utilizes the Matchless DC-30 or clean modeling from the Axe-Fx, creating a sound rich in midrange. EQ adjustments typically emphasize the mids while cutting low frequencies to enhance clarity. In acoustic tracks, the characteristics of the Gibson J-45 are highlighted by slightly reducing lows on the PA side and blending with the microphone for a natural ambiance.

In recording, techniques like double-tracking and triple-tracking are frequently employed to create a sense of width. SHINPEI’s guitar maintains a wall-like thickness while retaining clarity, achieved by cutting unnecessary lows in the EQ and appropriately reinforcing the necessary frequencies. Different amplifiers and miking techniques are used for layering, creating a three-dimensional feel.

For example, the lead track may utilize the Diezel Herbert, while rhythm tracks employ the CAA 3+ / VHT setup, blending different textures for depth. The effects chain is designed to avoid excessive spatial effects, maintaining a tight sound image with minimal delay and reverb. This ensures that studio recordings convey the same power as live performances.

Overall, SHINPEI’s sound design is based on a professional approach of trusting the inherent sound of the amp while making minimal adjustments to EQ and effects tailored to each song. His efforts to balance the thickness of rock with the transparency of pop are evident, showcasing a sound design perspective that incorporates both the engineer’s and player’s viewpoints.

Affordable Alternatives to Recreate the Tone

Many of the gear SHINPEI uses is high-end and expensive, making it challenging for average users to acquire items like the Diezel Herbert or Sugi Guitars. However, there are ways for beginners and intermediate players to approximate SHINPEI’s sound within a more reasonable price range. Here, we highlight commercially available gear priced around $100 to $500 and explain why they can achieve similar tones.

For amplifiers, the BOSS “Katana series” serves as the most realistic alternative to the Diezel. The Katana features a variety of amp types and built-in effects, covering a wide range from high-gain to clean tones. While it may not perfectly replicate the flat and wide sound of the Diezel, setting the EQ to flat can yield a close approximation. The Line 6 “Spider V series” is also recommended for its flexibility as a modeling amp.

For guitars, the “Epiphone Les Paul Standard” and “Ibanez RG series” are practical alternatives to Sugi and Gibson Les Pauls. Epiphone, being a direct subsidiary of Gibson, offers the thick midrange characteristic of Les Pauls, making it suitable for BREAKERZ’s music. The Ibanez RG, on the other hand, is modern and user-friendly, and selecting a model with humbuckers can bring it closer to the contemporary rock sound of the Sugi SH605.

For effects, the “BOSS OD-3” and “BOSS DS-1X” are excellent substitutes for the tc electronic NOVA DRIVE and Shin’s Music DUMBLOID. Both are classic overdrive/distortion pedals that can effectively replicate SHINPEI’s distorted sound with proper EQ adjustments. Additionally, the “BOSS PH-3 (Phase Shifter)” serves as a suitable alternative to the MXR Phase 100, offering a wide range of phase settings at an accessible price.

For spatial effects and multi-effects, options like the “ZOOM G5n” and “Line 6 POD Go” can serve as budget-friendly alternatives to the Fractal Audio Axe-Fx. The POD Go, in particular, boasts high-quality amp, cabinet, and effect modeling, making it versatile for both live performances and home recordings. This allows users to experience complex tone switching and spatial processing at a lower cost.

By combining these affordable pieces of gear, beginners can get closer to SHINPEI’s “flat yet powerful rock tone.” The key is not merely to acquire high-end equipment but to focus on the balance of EQ and the quality of distortion, making careful adjustments. Starting with the BOSS Katana or Epiphone Les Paul and gradually refining the sound is a realistic approach.

Summary and Conclusion

At the core of SHINPEI’s sound design lies a commitment to “flat and honest sound design” and “minimal arrangements tailored to the song.” Centered around the Diezel Herbert, a wide-ranging and straightforward amplifier, he enhances his sound with guitars like Sugi Guitars and Gibson Les Pauls, adding character through effects when necessary. This balance is key to his approach, avoiding over-reliance on effects while trusting the guitar’s inherent sound.

During live performances, the reproducibility and power of his sound stand out. In BREAKERZ’s dual-guitar setup, SHINPEI supports AKIHIDE’s intricate phrases while maintaining a heavy rhythm and clear solos, showcasing his professionalism without disrupting the band’s overall balance.

In the studio, his use of double-tracking and layering different amplifiers creates a rich mix. Acoustic warmth is added in solos and ballads, broadening the band’s sonic landscape. This approach allows for distinct worlds to emerge in each song while maintaining the cohesive identity of “BREAKERZ.”

For readers aiming to replicate SHINPEI’s sound, it’s crucial to focus not solely on acquiring high-end gear but on carefully adjusting the flat settings of the amplifier, the quality of distortion, and EQ. Additionally, utilizing boosters and phasers tailored to specific phrases can contribute to achieving his signature sound. Beginners should start with the BOSS Katana or Epiphone Les Paul and gradually refine their sound.

In summary, SHINPEI’s sound design represents a fusion of tradition and modernity. By inheriting the legacy of hard rock while enhancing clarity and expressiveness with contemporary gear, he supports the diverse sound of BREAKERZ. Understanding this approach and applying it in one’s environment is the first step toward achieving a SHINPEI-like sound.