How to Dial In "On the Level" by Mac DeMarco - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "On the Level"
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.
A track on This Old Dog, released in May 2017, with Mac DeMarco's relaxed vocal over a mellow, chorused guitar line and an easy groove. Mac is known for playing a Japanese Teisco guitar through a small Fender amp with a chorus pedal, but no source available here confirms the exact gear on this recording, so that rig stands in. Use the neck pickup, a clean tone and a lot of chorus, and play in a loose, relaxed way with a bit of wobble in the pitch.
Common Questions About the "On the Level" Tone
What guitar did Mac DeMarco use on "On the Level"?
The guitar on "On the Level" (released 2017) isn't documented; the Teisco Del Rey Spectrum 5 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "On the Level" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "On the Level" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "On the Level" 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.
What pedals are on "On the Level"?
Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "On the Level" by Mac DeMarco are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.