Bruno Mars
24K Magic · 2016
Amp settings (as recorded)
The recording
Recorded at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California, for the '24K Magic' album (2016). The lead guitar parts were played by Dave Foreman. The production, helmed by Shampoo Press & Curl (Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Christopher Brody Brown) and The Stereotypes, aimed for a hybrid of 90s R&B, modern pop, and '80s funk. Much of the track's signature 'riff' sound is derived from synthesizer layering (Moog Voyager, Juno-106) and talkbox (Byron 'Mr. Talkbox' Chambers), with the guitar acting as a percussive, rhythmic anchor that is specifically EQ'd to avoid clashing with the synth bass.
Tuning
StandardRecording Signal Chain · 3 items
Stratocaster Style Electric
Fender/Ernie Ball Music Man
Lead/Rhythm
Single-coil configuration for bright, clear funk stabs.
Compressor
Various (e.g., Keeley or Boss)
Dynamics
Essential for 'tight' funk articulation.
Studio DI / Clean Amp Simulation
Universal Audio / Softube
Tone Shaping
Often processed via plugins to maintain extreme clarity in a modern R&B mix.
Tone Characteristics
ToneTwin