Looking to Build an Ed O'Brien Inspired Pedalboard - Any Tips?

Instruments Guitar and Bass
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I’ve been diving deep into Radiohead’s music and Ed O’Brien’s unique sound lately, and I’m really inspired by his approach to guitar effects. I want to set up a pedalboard that captures some of his signature tones, but I’m not entirely sure where to start.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

  • Pedal Recommendations: What pedals does Ed use? I know he has a reputation for using various effects. Any specific brands or models I should be looking into?
  • Sound Design Techniques: What are some ways to achieve those lush and atmospheric sounds he gets in songs like Everything In Its Right Place and Pyramid Song?
  • Setup Tips: How do you suggest I layout my pedals on the board? Is it best to have certain effects come before others in the signal chain?

Bonus: If anyone has links to tutorials or reviews that show a breakdown of his setup, that would be super helpful too!

I’m excited to hear your thoughts and any personal experiences you all might have had trying to recreate Ed O’Brien’s sound. Thanks!

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Ed O’Brien’s sound is so rich! You should definitely consider a good reverb pedal like the Strymon BigSky. It works wonders for creating atmospheric tones.

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I totally agree! The BigSky really shines on ambient tracks. I paired it with a delay like the Line 6 DL4 for some epic soundscapes.

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A lot of his tones come from modulation, too. The Boss CE-2W is a must-have for those lush chorus effects!

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Absolutely! I’d also recommend looking into the EarthQuaker Devices afterneath for some unique reverb textures that can really capture his style.

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You can’t forget about the classic Fuzz Face for achieving those gritty tones. O’Brien often uses one to add a bit of edge to his sound.

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I remember seeing an interview where Ed mentioned his love for the Moogerfooger effects. They’re fantastic for crazy, creative sounds!

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Yeah! The Moogerfooger MF-101 is amazing for warm, fat tones. Definitely check it out if you want to experiment.

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If you’re going for Ed’s live sound, a good quality looper pedal can be super helpful for layering your sounds, just like he does in performances.

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True, but do you think a looper is essential? I often feel it might complicate things for beginners.

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I think it depends on your style. If you want to mimic Ed’s live set-up, it can definitely be worth it. But you can still get great tones without it.

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Considering all these options, it seems I might need a bigger pedalboard! Any tips on space management?

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Haha, yeah! Maybe check out risers or multi-tier pedalboards. Keeps everything accessible without taking up too much space.

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It’s all about finding the right balance between effects and space. You want to have the essentials for your sound without feeling overwhelmed!

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Hey! For building a pedalboard like Ed O’Brien’s, start with a solid foundation. Use a sturdy board and consider the layout carefully for ease of access during live performances.

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Great tips! Make sure to think about power management too. A power supply with isolated outputs can really help prevent noise in your signal chain.

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Totally agree with David! I also find that signal routing plays a massive role. Prioritize your effects based on how you like them to interact, especially the distortion and modulation pedals.

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You guys are spot on! I’d recommend trying out the layout at home before finalizing it. It helps to see how each pedal affects the others.

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Have any of you tried using velcro to attach pedals to the board? It’s super handy for easy rearrangement, especially during rehearsals!

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Yes! Velcro is great, but be careful as it can wear down after time. Make sure you have a strong adhesive.

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