How Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) uses the Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Stuff I use at Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/P1KkY Stuff I use at Thomann: bit.ly/mythomannstore

[@nitrogennick123]

The compressor is important, it's a key part of Kevin's chain that I think so many forget about! So you nailed it! :)

[@Jacobcfuller]

Yes! Prime example: Jeremy's Storm intro guitars. Squashed! Jangly!

[@mr.yellowstrat3352]

Literally everyone uses a compressor in the studio But yeah, Kevin has a nice touch with it

[@ShaneStoneOfficial]

@@mr.yellowstrat3352 I don’t. Compressors ruin dirt pedals. What’s the point of an overdrive without picking dynamics?

[@whitmore-project]

So glad you’re doing more tame impala

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks for checking out man!

[@javiceres]

0:32 the funny thing is that his “modern” sound feels like trying to sound vintage desperately, employing all sorts of artifacts and tricks... and the funnier one is that he succeeds ‘cause it sounds effortlessly natural. Old with a twist. Maybe it’s all down to the exquisite taste that doesn’t just come out of the blue. You can tell Parker’s spent hours of insatiable listening to the tiniest details of sheer quality music. There’s no substitute for that. He has had a sonic mission in life probably since his childhood. May audio Gods bless his heart and ears.

[@JoshLousk]

yes he is a visionary one of the best soundsmiths since hendrix

[@filalencar]

Went for Tame Impala and hit Unknown Mortal Orchestra. 2 amazing lo-fi sounding guitar bands. Great video!

[@ferabra8939]

The pedals are important, but playing major sevenths all the time is key to Kevin's sound ;-)

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

;)

[@musicdude1540]

You're unbelievably boring. :@

[@jager9022]

@@musicdude1540 what?

[@Lmachine1]

Well aren’t you original.

[@jujubucks12]

Lol

[@InnerCityZoo]

Really liked this explanation. Love using BD-2 towards the end of the chain. Gives nice texture to more soundscapey tones. Great for Shoegaze/dream pop

[@greham]

To this day, I remain 100% certain that the Elephant comes from the two blues drivers stacked on top of each other, and not the Fuzz Face he was using at the time. He uses a lot less fuzz than what people believe. Parker is all about pedal stacking, instead of taking the easier path to getting the one pedal that will make the sound you're looking for.

[@damagedbug8848]

The Roland chorus amp is just such an amazing amp too for those clean tones. it's so punchy it's important to talk about the amp too I must say. love them.

[@ethanlancaster76]

Yes indeed!!

[@larslars5855]

I'm a simple man. I see a blues driver. I click.

[@VodkaSelekta]

BD-2 is easily one of my fave pedals. I'm rediscovering the awesomeness of the boss pedals after overlooking them for quite some time.

[@Jimbaification]

Not gonna lie, I think this is one of the dopest guitar sounds that ever doped. I’ve been searching far and wide to get that early Kev Parker sound and slowly but surely, I have conjured a Tame-worthy pedalboard! Along with my katana and j mascis jazzmaster… Guitar > cry-baby (for those “wah” saturated in reverb makes a good Dub reggae sound) > Space Echo (also, dub reggae sounds) > Phase 90 (it pretty much does the same as a small stone and its also pretty much the essence of Kev’s sound across the board) > fuzz face mini (because the original size is a little greedy on your pedalboard) > big muff (because… sometimes i like smashing pumpkins) > DynaComp (to make everything sound like it’s been recorded on 40 year old cassette tape) I am on the hunt for diamond vibrato to bring that happy-nostalgia to my ancient cassette tape sounds 😎

[@pclindholm]

Wow man - your camera work is A+.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks sir!

[@HiddeBoogaard]

That Harmony looks so cute, nice job repping European pedal manufacturers too!

[@joseenriqueperezportugal3409]

Try it. I put the BadStone before the BD2, with The manual knob at 3pm. The BD gain at full and the tone at 4pm. Rich fuzz without the need for a dedicated pedal for that sound. Obviously if you have these two pedals.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

nice

[@micahchambers5096]

5:45 I love this part. Sounds like when i would record the radio through my crappy Motorola to try and find out what a song was.

[@paulitik7]

I love the Bad Stone. Cheap, and haven’t had any desire to upgrade. Love my Blues Driver too.

[@TechnicallyNotSteve]

That little Harmony brings all the vibes here to be honest. Nice job.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Bad Stone is an underrated phaser. Probably shouldn't have sold mine...c'est la GAS.

[@notsamoht]

wooooow i have all the ingredients for this sound. Really like the bad stone

[@johnmullarks3555]

How can you not leave a like on these videos man 🤩🤩 A treat to the eyes and ears

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks John! 💪🏻💪🏻

[@BockwinkleB]

Nescafe?!?! Wow, that takes me back, didn't know that was still a brand. Killer playing as always.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

haha, thats my emergency coffee ;) Thanks for watching!

[@diegoschwartz3519]

Love your vids, your scenery and colors/lighting are fire!!

[@R1GAMBLER]

BD-2 💙

[@Isaacgrant92]

I like the song. Reminds me more of Unknown Mortal Orchestra though

[@leakman1208]

Early umo was very tame like

[@abelramirez7320]

Your videos are literally art

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

thaaaaanks, that makes me an artist!

[@Realzero12]

I'm loving the animalizzer. Thinking about getting it!

[@kintaro_f]

sounds & looks fantastic. Loved that snare sound & instrumental there in the end. 🎸🥁🔥

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks a lot! Fun fact: drums were recorded with one mic.

[@kintaro_f]

@@LivingroomGearDemos 👌👌

[@CatmanJimbo]

I'll admit, I haven't tried that many OD pedals, including some pretty big names that everyone says you need to try at least once. But for my money and my ears, my BD-2W is still my favorite drive pedal. I'd recommend either version to anyone. I'm curious about the MXR Sugar Drive, it's the only Klone I've heard that has picqued my interest (had a Soul Food and sold it).

[@sparkyguitar0058]

Wrapped in grey, I keep a Alchemy modded Blues Driver on my board. But sitting on the sidelines is a Waza Crap, Keeley modded and stock Blues Drivers. Do like the Alchemy the best cause the lite gain is like my always on gain and when added to either or my bias knob modded older Tube Driver or Meat and 3 modded Soul Food get all kinds of usable gain tones. The others seem to be too clean at low gain and more gain is noise so I was mostly concerned about white noise on my board when nothing is on. This board with 11 pedals is very quiet especially in my worship band that is the only thing going at this time.

[@markferguson3745]

Agree that the BD2 is better than most boutiques; I wasted a lot of time and money on Klon, BB, and other vaunted pedals. Basically, it's the BD, the Hudson Broadcast,and maybe the occasional TS clone, like the Plumes.The rest are Blues and Metal tones I've no interest in exploring.I want something harder, I use( Germanium) Fuzz. Peace.

[@oqsy]

I have had a Sugar Drive for a while now and I love it. If you haven’t, watch Andy’s demo of it.

[@RichWordsMusic]

I've never really listened to Tame Impala much, but you've convinced me to check them out now, thanks :) Your vids are looking and sounding incredible these days!

[@jwal1992]

My friend I think you're in for a treat. One of the best rock projects in the last 10 years or so.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Rich! Start with Lonerism. Great album

[@RichWordsMusic]

@@LivingroomGearDemos Will do, cheers guys!

[@DrShrimpPuertoRicoMD]

Fitting. I just bought a Keeley modded BD-2. Awesome!

[@gehrigcupo3728]

Love the harmony, you should get a Rickenbacker with toasters just cause they got a great vibe to em no other guitars have. Great playing and video

[@Ditch901]

This could also work well for Ruban Nielson's sound

[@patrickearles471]

I believe a lot of his tone is Fender Hot Rods/Blues Jrs and pedals he makes himself, I remember seeing a video where his board had Fuzz Face, Rangemaster and Foxx Tone Machine clones. I know he DID really like Small Stones for a while, but he mostly uses a Jam Retrovibe now

[@massparody]

Ruban Nielson is a guitar God. Why not just dedicate a video to his Melody crafting abilities and overall skill alone rather than his pedal rig.

[@patrickearles471]

@@massparody yeah, Reverb already did a rig overview video tbh

[@ofir_likes_beer]

We want the same W/ Jonny Gteenwood!!!!

[@jackcrook4435]

A lot of Kevin Parkers up front sound was recording all his guitars D.I to a digital recorder with effects. He didn't use amps on the first few albums I think.

[@SeemoreDunkan]

Loving the cinematography :)

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Simon!

[@jakemertz2660]

Wow that sound is awesome! Also I was so ready for the bridge of that song and then it was over, lol

[@camhaines5482]

Sweet tones! When I saw that beat up old organ I was thinking "I wonder what speakers are in that old thing?".

[@jdthompson123]

Wow, really cool video. Tame Impala are incredible. Extra kudos for the song at the end

[@silvioschmidt5346]

Man your content is on fire lately 🔥 loving this series

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thaaanks!

[@joeridesthesky]

Hey @Living Room Gear Demos. I would recommend that you check out the earlier 90s Version of the Small Stone from Ehx. Kevin uses this one and from my experience, it is essential for getting closer to the Endors Toi tone

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Yup, but I couldn’t find one for this video :/

[@philzyqotsa]

I have been watching uou fort so many years I have lost rack I bought the OD 001 because of you and I was watching years before that. Man you have come so far its wild thank you keep doing it !

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks man! What's the OD 001 again? I don't remember that one!

[@philzyqotsa]

The model 001 tone mob silver version ;)

[@hammyjammies]

Is playing barefoot required too?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

luckily, no

[@MrBluesRequiem]

@@LivingroomGearDemos but it changes the tone!

[@jorgebarrio2323]

uhh, yes*

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

Unless you want to get the shock of your life when you less expect it. I recommend you not.

[@cameronvillarrealLp]

Tame impala videos are always appreciated. Good work man

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks 👍

[@leighiansonmusic9688]

Nice. Kevin Parker is from my country. Aussie represent!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

great whaite shaaaerk

[@simovar]

Impressed by the souuuuund 👌 Can we say the pedal order you use is : 1 phaser 2 reverb 3 delay 4 compressor 5 vibrato 6 fuzz 7 blues driver ?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Phaser Reverb Delay Fuzz Comp Blues Driver Vibrato

[@simovar]

Thank you so much

[@ethanlancaster76]

@@LivingroomGearDemos he’s using the modulation effects in his effects loop, not in front of the signal chain but I can see how it could seem like they’re in the front if you don’t use them in the effects loop of your amp.

[@CaptainWampum]

@@ethanlancaster76 he absolutely does not use an effects loop. On the albums he doesn’t even use an amp.

[@SquidMead]

This was spot on. Great work man.

[@karloscarmona7772]

Liking this series!

[@CRAZEDDUCKling]

Don't understand why so many suggest the Bad Stone for Kevin Parker's sound, when it's no secret he uses a Small Stone, which are just as easy to come by.

[@stephenquanbeck632]

Again such a great original song!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks a lot Stephen!

[@ChrisPerkles]

This is awesome! Thanks for this amazing go trough!

[@hasuwini]

Fan mannen du är GRYM

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Tjena! I’m using an Arri Amira and Bmpcc 6K with Nitecore lenses

[@diegooo.9567]

More Tame Impala videos pleasee!!!

[@snardash_1197]

I didnt know the blues driver was so popular lol had one for years and almost sold it Guess Ill use it more

[@ДмитрийГудков-у9я]

man, you are awesome. thanks for video!

[@reddead6738]

Amazing one, Jesus Christ! If someone also like the Tame Impala much second signature i would say is low output bass guitar with flatwound strings)

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I've done two videos on that bass sound also ;)

[@ConjuredUndead]

Dive into The Black Angels tone!

[@pocketpicker6613]

Have you seen their rig rundown videos?

[@middle_pickup]

When I first heard his tone I thought he was using post effects to get a lot of the tones. The compression is what really threw me off. I expected it to be a driven amp tone getting hit with a compressor then going into a tape flange or chorus effect. It's very impressive you're able to get such an interesting sound all into an amp by modifying pedal order. Do we for sure know this is the kind of processing he uses, or is this a guess? Sounds great btw.

[@Digosaurus]

Perfect 👌💯🧡 KP is the g.o.a.t. Beautiful video and tune legend

[@collinbritt6692]

Dude you are incredibly talented!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks a lot Collin!

[@peteytwofinger]

no one else hears the overload popping sound ? oh well , great video , you are a genios .

[@andrewmarquez5367]

More videos like this and more videos on tame impala please

[@yoeltzingcruz2474]

definitely I have to buy the blues driver and the holy grail

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

yup!

[@Maffo__]

damn, great video, and not on an easy topic, def subbing! congrats

[@mattgurry8985]

Great song at end mate

[@FrettedFlipper]

Vanvittig bra gjennomført på alle måter!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Takker!

[@Jimbaification]

I want to hear a German Tame Impala-inspired album now

[@christopherrusch]

oh i thought literally everyone knows his set up by now right? mxr dyna comp boss compressor boss blues driver ehx SMALL stone v4? ehx holy grail (flerb setting) diamond vibrato fuzz face boss giga delay if you spend like 3 minutes studying his boards you can see these pedals very clearly i might be missing on of two pedals but these are the bulk of his sound

[@benjaminfowler4513]

I think this is more about getting the sound with the effects and how to run them than what he specifically uses

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I'm not trying to do a 1:1 replica of his board in this video. I'm well aware what pedals he is using.

[@nicolaserafini6590]

Mhhhhh I doubt he uses the flerb mode on the grail (all the time), it's atrocious

[@christopherrusch]

@@nicolaserafini6590 not realy

[@christopherrusch]

@@LivingroomGearDemos my bad it’s a really informative video

[@zelkovabright7723]

Great video man!

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks Thomas!

[@malmo4063]

What about the pog for many of his solos?

[@gtcrespo]

Crazy tones, Eirik!! And Kevin now seems way too distant from a guitar lol

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

indeed :/

[@sveinpedersenguitar]

Hell yeah, Eirik, this is the shit! Nailed it once again

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thaanks man!

[@akrmfk]

Did not know tame impala tuned to d standard. Maybe I should check them out

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Watched Tame Impala perform to close the Western Australian Music Industry Awards on Monday night. :-)

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

How was it?

[@Grant_Ferstat]

@@LivingroomGearDemos Tame Impala were pretty impressive.

[@Matthew-px9nu]

where is the compressor in the signal chain? After reverb?

[@TheJuggleO]

Why bad stone , not small stone my dood

[@TheEpicImpaler]

I heard some clipping whenever the fuzz was added

[@musicdude1540]

Rocket scientist over there.

[@rhymeskill]

Killer song at the end. You should’ve kept it going.

[@cjscala87]

Great idea for a video

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

thanks! Hope it was executed ok as well ;)

[@Nathansillav]

If you don’t have a blues driver can you use a Klon for adding some dirt without changing the tone

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I would say that the BD-2 is more transparent as the Klon adds more low mids into the mix. But it’ll probably work just fine!

[@plz123fake]

so how is the signal chain?

[@thstguy8023]

Come to aus we need you

[@benjaminfowler4513]

You're good at this sorta thing my guy. Reckon you could do one on John Dwyer or Ty segall? Idk if you're into thee oh sees or that kinda sound but I am and it's hard to find info on it

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I can do Steven Seagal? Sure, I can look into John and Ty!

[@benjaminfowler4513]

@@LivingroomGearDemos lmao, that would be amazing dude!!

[@standinsilence]

Steven Seagal had amazing tone in Flight Of Fury(my favourite Seagal-film. Very much "so bad its good").

[@chasekrank]

What is the drum mic setup? Those drums sound so clean!

[@FingerBob]

That guitar is beautiful

[@nicolaserafini6590]

That tail at 4:06 is the blues driver after the holy grail right? Very cool.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Yup, I talk about it in the video ;)

[@steviediesel7796]

Wow really nailed that sound. Great playing.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

Thanks!

[@gustavoviveros8394]

Great Thank You 👍🏻

[@morgulr3420]

did you release the full song idea somewhere?

[@ethanlancaster76]

Nice tone my friend but it is crucial for the compressor to be in the front of the signal chain in order to make the amp get a choked off driven effect before the actual gain of the overdrive pedal and the modulation effects are better suited for the end of the signal chain and even better in the effects loop of the amp if you have one.

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

The whole point with this setup is the order of the pedals. He is known for not doing it the way you are describing basically.

[@kantina4765]

experimenting with pedal order is a lot of fun, you should try it. distorted reverb and delay is one of the most inspiring sounds I've come across.

[@johncastillo1375]

I always thought Kevin used Two blues drivers, one on either side of the compressor?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

He might!

[@arthurantonio2022]

he uses to simulate a fuzz, on certain tours

[@notre5723]

Christoph Waltz explains how Kevin Parker uses a blues driver

[@augustoverduzco7336]

Good song

[@eriknorlander5814]

I hear a lot of through-zero flange in his sound. Prolly my favourite modulation effect

[@xfbhhhhh]

Yes but more like in the mixing stage

[@artemdemidov2874]

COOOOOOLLLLLL!!!!!!

[@brenomeira]

You used fuzz before or after the Blues Driver?

[@MT-zl8du]

What is the pedal order?

[@redfox9022]

What's the model of your guitar?

[@wichoortega6869]

You are the best

[@adynkays1303]

How do you get the drums to sound like that man???

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

overdrive and compression!

[@nickvanderkolm5184]

What's this killer track you are playing a few times with the vibrato?

[@LivingroomGearDemos]

I think that is just something I came up with for this video

[@nickvanderkolm5184]

@@LivingroomGearDemos then well done! It sounds GREAT!