Lena Torres
Royal Blood, the British rock duo known for their unique and powerful sound, has captivated audiences worldwide with their ability to create a massive, full-band effect using only bass guitar and drums. Their signature sound is achieved through innovative techniques such as bass distortion, octave pedals, and intricate drumming, which together produce a rich, layered texture that defies the limitations of a two-piece setup. To emulate Royal Blood's sound, musicians often focus on mastering these techniques, experimenting with effects pedals, and developing tight rhythmic synergy between bass and drums. Understanding their approach not only highlights their technical prowess but also inspires creativity in crafting dynamic, genre-defying music.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bass Technique | Two-handed tapping on a bass guitar with effects pedals |
| Effects Pedals | OverDrive, Distortion, Octave Divider, Filter, Delay, Reverb |
| Amplification | High-gain bass amp (e.g., Ampeg SVT) |
| Tuning | Drop D (DADG) or Standard (EADG) with heavy gauge strings |
| Playing Style | Aggressive, rhythmic, and percussive with muted strums |
| Signature Sound | Thick, guitar-like tones mimicking dual guitars with a single bass |
| Key Pedals | EHX POG (Polyphonic Octave Generator), MXR M81 Bass Preamp |
| Fingerstyle vs. Pick | Primarily fingerstyle for dynamic control |
| Rhythmic Focus | Grooves, syncopation, and tight drum interaction |
| Live Setup | Minimalist—bass, pedals, and amp, no backing tracks |
| Influences | Classic rock, grunge, and alternative (e.g., Muse, Queens of the Stone Age) |
| Notable Tracks | "Figure It Out," "Out of the Black," "Lights Out" |
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What You'll Learn
- Guitar Tone Techniques: Explore amp settings, pedals, and picking styles for Royal Blood's signature riff-heavy sound
- Bass Playing Style: Master finger techniques, octave effects, and rhythmic patterns used by Mike Kerr
- Drum Grooves: Analyze Ben Thatcher's minimal yet powerful drumming and syncopation in Royal Blood tracks
- Production Secrets: Learn layering, compression, and mixing tricks to achieve their massive, bass-driven sound
- Vocal Delivery: Study Mike Kerr's dynamic vocal range, phrasing, and harmonization in Royal Blood songs
Guitar Tone Techniques: Explore amp settings, pedals, and picking styles for Royal Blood's signature riff-heavy sound
Royal Blood's signature sound hinges on a deceptively simple setup: one bass guitar, one drummer, and a wall of riff-heavy, guitar-like tones. Achieving this sound requires a deep dive into tone-shaping techniques, blending amp settings, pedals, and picking styles to transform a bass into a riff machine. Let's dissect the key elements.
Amp Settings: The Foundation of the Royal Blood Sound
Start with a high-gain amplifier capable of handling bass frequencies while delivering a tight, focused midrange. Mike Kerr, Royal Blood’s bassist, often uses a combination of a bass amp and a guitar amp to achieve his signature growl. Set the bass amp’s EQ flat, then dial in a guitar amp with the bass rolled off, mids pushed forward, and treble slightly boosted. This creates a frequency balance where the bass notes punch through while the midrange grit mimics a guitar’s bite. Experiment with master volume and gain—high gain is essential, but avoid muddiness by keeping the low end controlled. A 4x12 cabinet enhances the guitar-like projection, adding air and definition to the tone.
Pedal Chain: Sculpting the Riff-Heavy Texture
Kerr’s pedalboard is a masterclass in simplicity and effectiveness. A sansamp or similar DI box serves as the core, providing a clean, direct signal to the amp while shaping the initial tone. Add a distortion pedal (like a RAT or Big Muff) for grit, but place it after the sansamp to avoid signal loss. A clean boost pedal can tighten the attack, while an octave pedal (set one octave up) transforms the bass into a guitar-like riff monster. Experiment with pedal order—placing the octave before distortion creates a thicker, more aggressive sound, while reversing the order yields a sharper, more defined edge.
Picking Style: The Secret Weapon
Royal Blood’s sound relies heavily on fingerpicking, which offers precision and dynamic control. Kerr uses a pick-like attack by plucking close to the bridge, emphasizing the higher frequencies and creating a snappy, guitar-like articulation. For riff-heavy passages, alternate between downstrokes and upstrokes to maintain clarity and rhythm. Incorporate muted strums and staccato notes to add texture and rhythm, mimicking the percussive quality of a guitar riff. Practice consistency in attack to ensure each note cuts through the mix, especially in fast-paced sections.
The Takeaway: Balancing Elements for Authenticity
Achieving Royal Blood’s sound isn’t just about gear—it’s about how you combine these techniques. Focus on clarity and definition in your tone, ensuring each riff stands out in the mix. Experiment with amp settings to find the sweet spot between bass warmth and guitar-like bite. Use pedals strategically to sculpt your sound, not overwhelm it. Finally, refine your picking technique to deliver the precision and aggression that defines Royal Blood’s style. With these elements in harmony, you’ll unlock the riff-heavy, larger-than-life sound that makes Royal Blood unforgettable.
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Bass Playing Style: Master finger techniques, octave effects, and rhythmic patterns used by Mike Kerr
Mike Kerr’s bass playing in Royal Blood is a masterclass in minimalism and maximalism colliding. With just a bass guitar and a drummer, he creates a sound so full and dynamic that it’s hard to believe there’s no traditional guitar in the mix. The secret lies in his finger techniques, octave effects, and rhythmic patterns, which transform the bass into a lead instrument, rhythm keeper, and harmonic foundation all at once. To replicate this, start by ditching the pick—Kerr relies entirely on fingerstyle playing for precision and expressiveness. His right hand alternates between plucking the strings with his index and middle fingers, creating a tight, percussive attack that drives the rhythm while leaving his left hand free to navigate complex fretwork.
Octave effects are the backbone of Kerr’s signature sound, and mastering this technique is non-negotiable. He frequently plays melodies and riffs an octave apart, often using his left hand to hammer-on or pull-off to the higher note while maintaining the root note with his right hand. For example, in “Figure It Out,” he alternates between the 5th fret of the A string and the 7th fret of the D string, creating a thick, guitar-like tone. To practice this, isolate the octave intervals on a single string, then gradually incorporate chord shapes and arpeggios. A practical tip: use a looper pedal to record a bassline and play octave melodies over it, mimicking Royal Blood’s layered sound.
Rhythmically, Kerr’s playing is as much about what he leaves out as what he includes. His grooves are often sparse but deliberate, with a heavy emphasis on the backbeat. In “Out of the Black,” he locks into a driving 4/4 pattern, muting certain notes to create tension and release. To emulate this, focus on ghost notes and muted strums, which add texture without cluttering the mix. A caution: avoid overplaying. Kerr’s style thrives on restraint, so resist the urge to fill every silence. Instead, let the space work for you, allowing the bass to breathe and the rhythm to punch through.
The interplay between Kerr’s bass and Ben Thatcher’s drums is crucial, and rhythmic patterns are where this relationship shines. Kerr often mimics drum beats with his bass, blurring the lines between the two instruments. In “Lights Out,” he syncopates his playing, hitting off-beats and accents that complement the snare and kick. To achieve this, practice playing along to drum loops, focusing on locking in with the snare and hi-hat. A takeaway: think of your bass as an extension of the drum kit, not just a harmonic instrument. This mindset will help you internalize Royal Blood’s rhythmic intensity.
Finally, experimentation is key to capturing Kerr’s innovative style. He frequently uses effects pedals to manipulate his tone, but the foundation remains his finger technique and rhythmic intuition. Start by incorporating a distortion pedal to add grit, then layer in an octave pedal for that signature Royal Blood thickness. However, don’t rely solely on gear—Kerr’s sound is rooted in his playing, not just his setup. Dedicate time to developing your finger strength and dexterity, and you’ll find that the Royal Blood sound becomes less about emulation and more about personal expression within their framework.
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Drum Grooves: Analyze Ben Thatcher's minimal yet powerful drumming and syncopation in Royal Blood tracks
Ben Thatcher’s drumming in Royal Blood is a masterclass in doing more with less. His grooves are stripped to their essence, yet they drive the band’s sound with unrelenting power. Take the track "Figure It Out" as a prime example. Here, Thatcher uses a simple kick-snare pattern, but it’s the syncopated hi-hat and ghost notes that create tension and momentum. This minimal approach forces every hit to count, making the rhythm feel both sparse and dense simultaneously. The key takeaway? Simplicity doesn’t mean simplicity of effort—it’s about precision and intentionality.
To replicate Thatcher’s style, start by focusing on groove consistency. Use a metronome to lock in your timing, but don’t let it stifle your feel. Royal Blood’s sound thrives on a live, organic energy, so avoid over-quantizing. Practice playing with a bass player or a bass-heavy backing track to internalize how your drums interact with low-end frequencies. Thatcher’s drumming often acts as a counterpoint to Mike Kerr’s bass, so experiment with offbeat accents and rimshots to create a similar call-and-response dynamic. For instance, in "Out of the Black," his snare hits on the "and" of beats 2 and 4 add a driving, almost danceable quality to the riff-heavy track.
Syncopation is Thatcher’s secret weapon. He rarely plays straight beats, instead layering ghost notes and subtle shifts to keep the rhythm interesting. In "Lights Out," he uses a half-time feel on the kick while the snare and hi-hat maintain a faster pace, creating a hypnotic groove. To incorporate this into your playing, isolate sections of his tracks and slow them down to dissect the syncopation. Focus on placing hits just before or after the beat to mimic his signature "push-and-pull" effect. Remember, the goal isn’t complexity—it’s about making every note feel deliberate and impactful.
Finally, consider the role of dynamics in Thatcher’s playing. He often builds tension by starting soft and gradually increasing volume, as heard in "Hook, Line & Sinker." This approach keeps the listener engaged without relying on constant blast beats or fills. When practicing, experiment with varying your touch on the drums—play softer on the verse and explode on the chorus. This dynamic contrast is crucial for achieving the Royal Blood sound, as it mirrors the band’s overall approach to songwriting: minimalism that packs a punch. By studying Thatcher’s grooves, you’ll learn how to make every beat count, turning simplicity into a powerful tool.
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Production Secrets: Learn layering, compression, and mixing tricks to achieve their massive, bass-driven sound
Royal Blood's signature sound is a masterclass in minimalism meeting maximalism. With just bass, drums, and vocals, they achieve a wall of sound that rivals any full band. The secret lies in their production techniques, particularly layering, compression, and mixing. These elements work in harmony to create a massive, bass-driven sound that defies the limitations of their two-piece setup.
Layering is the foundation of Royal Blood’s sonic depth. Mike Kerr’s bass isn’t just a single track; it’s a stack of carefully crafted layers. Start by splitting your bass signal into two paths: one clean and one distorted. The clean signal provides the fundamental low end, while the distorted signal adds grit and mid-range presence. Experiment with octave pedals or plugins to thicken the sound further. For instance, a subtle octave-up effect can mimic the brightness of a guitar, while an octave-down layer reinforces the bass’s weight. Avoid overdoing it—limit each layer to a specific frequency range to prevent muddiness. A high-pass filter on the distorted layer (around 100-200 Hz) and a low-pass filter on the octave-up layer (below 1 kHz) can help maintain clarity.
Compression is the glue that holds their sound together. Royal Blood’s tracks are aggressively compressed, but with precision. Use a fast attack (2-5 ms) and medium release (50-100 ms) to control transients while maintaining punch. Aim for 6-10 dB of gain reduction to keep the dynamics in check without flattening the performance. Parallel compression is another trick: blend a heavily compressed version of the bass with the original signal to add sustain and power without losing natural feel. For vocals, a slower attack (10-20 ms) and softer knee will smooth out inconsistencies while preserving emotion.
Mixing is where the magic happens. Royal Blood’s mixes are deceptively simple, but every element has its place. Start by carving out space for the bass in the frequency spectrum. Use sidechain compression on the kick drum, triggered by the bass, to ensure they don’t clash. A ratio of 4:1 and a threshold set to taste will create a subtle pump without sacrificing impact. Panning is minimal—keep the bass and drums centered to maximize their power, but use hard panning for any additional layers (e.g., octave effects) to widen the stereo image. Finally, add a touch of saturation to the master bus for warmth and cohesion.
The key to emulating Royal Blood’s sound is balance. Layering adds complexity, compression ensures consistency, and mixing ties it all together. Don’t be afraid to experiment, but always prioritize clarity and impact. Their sound is a testament to the idea that less can be more—when every element is meticulously crafted, even a two-piece band can sound like an army.
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Vocal Delivery: Study Mike Kerr's dynamic vocal range, phrasing, and harmonization in Royal Blood songs
Mike Kerr's vocal delivery is the linchpin of Royal Blood's signature sound, blending raw power with nuanced control. His range spans from gravelly, chest-driven lows to soaring, head-voice highs, often within the same phrase. Listen to "Figure It Out" for a masterclass in this dynamic range: Kerr shifts seamlessly from a guttural growl in the verses to a crisp, melodic hook in the chorus, creating a vocal landscape as expansive as the band’s bass-and-drums instrumentation. This isn’t just singing—it’s a strategic use of timbre to amplify emotion and energy.
Phrasing is where Kerr’s vocals truly carve out Royal Blood’s identity. He often syncopates his delivery, placing words just ahead or behind the beat to create tension. In "Out of the Black," his staccato phrasing in the pre-chorus ("I’m gonna take you down") contrasts with the smoother, sustained notes of the chorus, mimicking the song’s rhythmic shifts. To emulate this, practice singing slightly *off* the grid, letting syllables hang or punch unexpectedly. This technique demands precision—too much sloppiness loses the effect, while too little loses the edge.
Harmonization in Royal Blood is subtle but impactful, often achieved through layering Kerr’s own voice. In "Lights Out," he doubles his vocals to create a thick, choral texture, particularly in the "oh-oh-oh" refrains. For home experimentation, record yourself singing a melody, then overdub a harmony a third or fifth above or below. Keep the harmonies tight and close to avoid clutter—Royal Blood’s strength lies in simplicity, not complexity.
A cautionary note: Kerr’s style is physically demanding. His aggressive delivery and wide range can strain the vocal cords if not approached carefully. Warm up with lip trills and hums, and hydrate consistently. Avoid pushing into discomfort—Kerr’s rasp is intentional, but forced hoarseness leads to damage. Think of his vocals as a high-performance engine: they need maintenance to run smoothly.
In conclusion, mastering Mike Kerr’s vocal delivery requires a blend of technical skill and artistic intuition. Study his range, experiment with phrasing, and layer harmonies thoughtfully. Above all, respect the physicality of the style. Royal Blood’s sound isn’t just about what you sing—it’s about how you wield your voice as an instrument of contrast, tension, and release.
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Frequently asked questions
Royal Blood primarily uses a bass guitar, a combination of effects pedals, and a Marshall amplifier. The bass is often run through an octave pedal to create guitar-like tones, and additional effects like distortion, fuzz, and delay are layered to achieve their thick, riff-driven sound.
Royal Blood relies on clever layering and effects to fill out their sound. The bass is processed through octave pedals to mimic guitar frequencies, while the drummer uses a dynamic playing style to add depth and rhythm. This combination creates the illusion of a fuller band.
Royal Blood’s bassist uses fingerpicking, muting, and percussive techniques to add texture and rhythm. They also employ tapping and sliding to create melodic lines, while the octave pedal ensures the bass fills both low-end and mid-range frequencies.
