Tone Settings for Flume by Bon Iver (guitar and amp)

1. Volume

• Keep the volume moderate to low for a more intimate and ambient tone.
• On electric guitars, use the guitar’s volume knob slightly rolled back to add warmth and remove harshness.
• Balance amp and pedal volume levels to avoid overpowering dynamics.

2. Tone

• Roll off the tone knob slightly to soften brightness and achieve a mellow, introspective sound.
• Use reverb and a touch of delay on electric setups to emulate ambient layering.
• If using EQ pedals or amp tone controls, boost mids slightly while reducing treble to match the lo-fi aesthetic.

3. Pickup Selector

• Use the neck pickup to emphasize warmth and fullness.
• A middle position may also work if using single coil pickups to mellow out brightness while retaining clarity.
• Avoid bridge pickup for this style as it’s typically too sharp or bright.

4. Humbucker or Single Coil Preferred?

• Humbuckers preferred for their warmer and smoother tonal character.
• If using single coils, roll off high frequencies and rely on effects to thicken the tone.
• Semi-hollow body guitars with humbuckers deliver ideal resonance and depth for this style.

5. Ideal Guitar Type: Acoustic / Electric

• Both can work depending on context, but Flume leans closer to acoustic for its raw, emotive feel.
• Use a well-miked acoustic guitar for a natural and organic sound when recording.
• For live or ambient-style performances, electric guitars with ambient effects (reverb, delay, modulation) are suitable.
• Consider an acoustic-electric guitar with onboard preamp and EQ for flexibility.

• Fender Telecaster: Preferred for its bright, articulate tones, great for fingerpicking.
• Martin D-28 Acoustic: Delivers rich, resonant warmth suitable for the folk style of the song.
• Gibson J-45: Popular for its rounded, warm acoustic output—ideal for vocal accompaniment.
• LR Baggs Anthem Pickup System: Captures realistic acoustic tone for live or recorded settings.
• Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner: Reliable tuner to keep your acoustic or electric guitar in tune.
• Shubb Capo: Essential for changing key while maintaining open chord voicings.
• Elixir Phosphor Bronze Strings: Long-lasting tone and smooth feel ideal for fingerstyle playing.
• Fishman Loudbox Mini: Compact acoustic amp that preserves nuance and dynamic range.
• TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb: Adds ambient space to clean electric or amplified acoustic tones.
• Dunlop Jazz III Picks: Provides control and clarity, great for detailed picking patterns in the song.

• Use a warm, rounded vocal tone throughout to capture the song’s intimate mood.
• Maintain consistent breath support to control soft dynamics accurately.
• Avoid excessive vibrato; aim for a clean, straight tone on sustained notes.
• Employ subtle dynamic shifts to emphasize lyrical phrasing without overdramatizing.
• Ensure smooth transitions between registers; keep chest and head tones well-connected.
• Use minimalistic articulation with softened consonants to preserve legato phrasing.
• Aim for a mellow timbre by avoiding excessive brightness or nasality in resonance.
• Dampen any breathiness during held notes to maintain tonal clarity.
• Stay slightly behind the beat to match the song’s relaxed rhythmic feel.
• Monitor EQ settings if using a mic; cut harsh highs and boost low mids slightly for warmth.