everything is alive album cover - Slowdive
Guitar tone settings

How to Dial In "Chained to a Cloud" by Slowdive - Guitar Tone Settings

The rig

Gear for "Chained to a Cloud"

Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.

The settings

Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning

Amp settings

Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.

Gain2
Bass5
Mid5
Treble6.5
Presence6
Volume6

On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.

Get the settings for my amp
Guitar setup

How the artist had their guitar configured for this take.

TuningStandard(E A D G B E)
Pickup selector
NeckNk+MdMiddleBr+MdBridge
Guitar knobs
Tone8
Volume9
Recording notes

From everything is alive (2023). Shoegaze from the band's fifth album, with layered guitars blurred into a wash. The rig on this recording isn't documented, so an Epiphone Casino into a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus stands in. Keep the amp clean, just on the edge of breakup, and play the neck pickup. The rest of the album is in standard tuning, so that is assumed here.

FAQ

Common Questions About the "Chained to a Cloud" Tone

  1. What guitar did Slowdive use on "Chained to a Cloud"?

    The guitar on "Chained to a Cloud" (released 2023) isn't documented; the Epiphone Casino above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).

  2. What amp settings does "Chained to a Cloud" need?

    Settings for this sound: Gain 2, Bass 5, Mid 5, Treble 6.5, 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.

  3. Can I play "Chained to a Cloud" without the original gear?

    Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Chained to a Cloud" 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.

Related tones

Tone references for "Chained to a Cloud" by Slowdive are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.

Adapt to my gear