Introduction
Polyphia has become one of the most popular instrumental rock bands, known for their genre-blending sound that fuses progressive metal, jazz, funk, and hip-hop. The band’s guitarist, Tim Henson, is especially recognized for his smooth, clean, yet punchy guitar tones, particularly in tracks like “Goose.” Many guitarists are looking to replicate this tone, and if you’re one of them, you’re in luck. With the Tonebridge Guitar Effects app, you can get remarkably close to the Polyphia sound without needing an extensive pedalboard.
In this article, we’ll guide you on how to achieve the “Goose” tone using Tonebridge and some useful tips to refine your sound.
What Makes the Polyphia Tone Special?
Before diving into the Tonebridge setup, let’s understand what makes the Polyphia tone unique:
- Clean Yet Aggressive: Polyphia’s tone balances clean and aggressive sounds. It has a clear, articulate quality, yet it can bite when needed, especially during riffs and solos.
- Saturated Compression: The tone often features a level of compression that gives it sustain and punch. This helps every note stand out.
- Bright, Crisp Highs: The tone has a bright, cutting quality that ensures every pick stroke is heard. This clarity is essential for the intricate, fast-paced melodies and tapping sections that Polyphia is known for.
- Reverb & Delay: There’s a subtle use of ambient effects like reverb and delay to add space, but it’s not overdone.
Step 1: Download and Set Up Tonebridge
First, make sure you have the Tonebridge Guitar Effects app installed on your device. It’s available on both iOS and Android. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the app, search for “Polyphia” or “Goose.” You’ll find user-created presets designed to emulate the sound, but it’s best to know what to tweak.
Step 2: Choose the Right Preset
The easiest way to get started is by finding a preset that matches Polyphia’s sound. Search for the following presets:
- “Polyphia – Goose”
- “Polyphia Lead”
- “Polyphia Rhythm”
Select the one that sounds closest to what you need. For “Goose,” you’ll want a tone that has:
- Clean compression
- Slight overdrive or distortion
- Reverb and delay effects
If you’re not satisfied with the default presets, don’t worry; you can customize it to perfection.
Step 3: Fine-Tuning the Tone
3.1. Compression
The Polyphia sound relies heavily on compression to maintain clarity and sustain. On Tonebridge, you can adjust the compression to ensure that each note rings out evenly, especially during fast-picked runs or tapping sections. Increase the compression slightly if you find that your notes are cutting out too quickly.
3.2. Overdrive and Distortion
For a “Goose” tone, you’re looking for a very mild overdrive that doesn’t distort the sound too much. It should add warmth and a bit of grit without overwhelming the clarity.
- Set the Gain/Drive to a low or moderate level.
- Keep the Tone setting around the middle to ensure a bright but balanced sound.
- Adjust the Volume/Level to match the output you need.
3.3. EQ Settings
Getting the EQ settings right is essential for a tone that cuts through the mix but isn’t overly harsh. Try the following:
- Bass: 3-4 (low, to prevent muddiness)
- Mid: 5-6 (slightly boosted to help the notes stand out)
- Treble: 7-8 (high, for brightness and clarity)
3.4. Reverb and Delay
Polyphia’s tone features ambient effects that give it a spacious, dynamic feel.
- Add a Short Reverb to give the tone a sense of space, but keep it subtle.
- Set a Delay with low feedback and a short time to add a slight echo that fills out the tone without making it sound too washed out.
Adjust the Mix settings to taste—just enough for some depth but not so much that it muddies the tone.
3.5. Additional Effects
For tracks like “Goose,” a chorus effect can add subtle warmth and movement. You might want to dial it in slightly to emulate the shimmering, almost lo-fi quality of Polyphia’s clean tones.
Step 4: Playing Technique Matters
The gear and tone are just one part of the equation. Tim Henson’s playing style involves a lot of intricate techniques, including:
- Tapping
- Slapping and plucking (a bit like bass guitar techniques)
- Hybrid picking (using both pick and fingers)
- Fast legato runs
To truly replicate the “Goose” sound, practice these techniques. A tone can only do so much if you don’t incorporate the nuanced playing that Polyphia is famous for.
Step 5: Experiment and Record
Once you’ve set up your tone on Tonebridge, start experimenting. Play along with the track, record yourself, and make adjustments as needed. Sometimes the smallest tweaks can make the biggest difference, whether it’s reducing the reverb or tweaking the EQ.
If you have a DI setup (direct input), it’s worth recording a clean version of your guitar and re-amping it with Tonebridge, so you can make adjustments post-recording without needing to re-play sections.
Conclusion
Polyphia’s tone, especially on tracks like “Goose,” is achievable without expensive gear, thanks to apps like Tonebridge. By following the steps above, you can get very close to the tone that has defined a new wave of guitarists looking to merge genres. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun with it and make the tone your own. Happy playing!