How to Dial In "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" by Pixies - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Distance Equals Rate Times Time"
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 Trompe le Monde (1991). A short, driving alt-rock track with a bright, crunchy guitar. Premier Guitar calls a 50-watt Marshall JCM800 Joey Santiago's mainstay for dirty tones since the beginning of the Pixies, and an early-1990s photo caption shows him with a Les Paul Classic. No source documents the guitar or amp on this track, so a Gibson Les Paul Classic into a Marshall JCM800 2203 stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the bridge pickup and dig in harder for the louder sections. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" Tone
What guitar did Pixies use on "Distance Equals Rate Times Time"?
The guitar on "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" (released 1991) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Classic above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5.5, Bass 5.5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 7. 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 "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" 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.
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Tone references for "Distance Equals Rate Times Time" by Pixies are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.