For guitarists chasing the iconic, shimmering guitar tone of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name”, the quest for perfect replication can be a long one. Many have sought to capture The Edge’s signature sound, particularly through digital amp modelers like the Kemper Profiler, often finding themselves falling short of the genuine article. This exploration details a journey to accurately recreate this legendary sound, culminating in a Kemper rig designed for authenticity and readily available for fellow tone enthusiasts.
Deconstructing The Edge’s Sonic Architecture: Ingredients for “Streets”
Achieving the “Streets” sound isn’t just about amp settings; it’s about understanding the core components of The Edge’s signal chain and how they interact. Research into his setup reveals a crucial combination of elements, all working in harmony to create that expansive, echoing soundscape.
The foundation begins with a Fender Stratocaster, specifically utilizing the bridge and middle pickups in combination (position 2 on the selector switch). This pickup configuration provides a bright, articulate starting point, essential for the clarity of the sound. This signal is then fed into a Vox AC30 amplifier, renowned for its chime and characteristic overdrive when pushed.
However, the magic truly unfolds with the strategic application of effects, primarily compression and delays. A compressor is placed early in the chain to even out the dynamics and sustain notes, crucial for the song’s melodic lines. The delay section is where the signature “Edge sound” is meticulously crafted.
The setup involves a slapback delay acting as a precursor to two distinct delay engines. This initial slapback adds a subtle thickening to the sound. The dual delay configuration is the heart of the effect, creating the rhythmic, cascading echoes that define “Where the Streets Have No Name”. Finally, a touch of hall reverb adds spaciousness and depth, completing the sonic picture.
Building the “U2 Streets” Kemper Rig: A Step-by-Step Guide
The journey to replicate this sound on the Kemper Profiler started with a pre-existing rig from Rig Manager, Ryan Baker’s “U2 Still Haven’t Found”. This rig provided a solid foundation with its Vox AC30 amp profile (cab-less initially). The first step was to activate a cabinet simulation within the Kemper to ensure a complete amp sound.
From there, the focus shifted to meticulously recreating The Edge’s delay configuration within the Kemper’s effects section. Here’s a breakdown of the settings used to build the “U2 Streets” rig, now available on Rig Manager:
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Compressor: While specific settings are not detailed in the original post, a standard compressor pedal emulation at the beginning of the chain is implied. Experiment with settings to achieve a balanced sustain without overly squashing the dynamics.
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Slap Delay (Single Delay Module): This is implemented using the Kemper’s single delay module with the following parameters:
- Delay Time: 100ms
- Mix: 50%
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Dual Delay (Dual Delay Module): The core of the “Streets” sound lies in this dual delay configuration, utilizing the Kemper’s Dual Delay module:
- Delay 1: 524ms (Secondary Delay)
- Delay 2: 350ms (Primary Delay)
- Mix: Balanced heavily towards the Primary Delay (Delay 2).
- Feedback (Primary Delay – Delay 2): 33% (Higher feedback for prominent echoes).
- Feedback (Secondary Delay – Delay 1): 6% (Subtle, single slap effect).
- Mix between Delays: 31.6% (Further emphasizes the primary delay while retaining a hint of the longer delay). This setting ensures the 524ms delay acts as a subtle, single repeat after each strum, while the 350ms delay creates the main, rhythmic echoes.
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Hall Reverb (Reverb Module): A hall reverb is added at the end of the effects chain to create a sense of space:
- Predelay: 160ms
- Time: 4.2 Seconds
- Mix: 25.5% (Subtle reverb to add depth without overpowering the delays).
Fine-Tuning and Personalizing Your “Streets” Tone
While these settings provide a close replication of The Edge’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” guitar sound, remember that tone is subjective and influenced by various factors, including your guitar, pickups, and playing style.
Experiment with slight adjustments to the delay times, feedback, and reverb mix to tailor the sound to your specific setup and preferences. The key is to listen critically and adjust parameters until you achieve the desired spaciousness and rhythmic echo that defines this iconic guitar tone. Utilizing a Stratocaster with the bridge and middle pickups selected will further enhance the authenticity of the sound.
The “U2 Streets” rig on Kemper Rig Manager offers a starting point, a meticulously crafted recipe for achieving a legendary guitar sound. Give it a try, explore the settings, and let your ears be the judge. Your journey to capturing the sonic magic of “Where the Streets Have No Name” begins here.
