How to Dial In "Black Mirror" by Arcade Fire - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Black Mirror"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Neon Bible (2007). Neon Bible is second studio album by Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire, released on 5 March 2007 by Merge. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, the rig we use for Arcade Fire's other songs from Neon Bible, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the middle+bridge pickups together.
Common Questions About the "Black Mirror" Tone
What guitar did Arcade Fire use on "Black Mirror"?
The guitar on "Black Mirror" (released 2007) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle + bridge (position 4) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Black Mirror" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Black Mirror" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Black Mirror" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Black Mirror" by Arcade Fire are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.