Africa

Amp settings (as recorded)

The recording

The song 'Africa' was recorded in 1982 for the album 'Toto IV' at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. Steve Lukather, serving as a first-call studio guitarist and band member, played the riff. During this era, Lukather's studio setup was often defined by direct-to-amp configurations using modified vintage Fender gear, particularly amps serviced by Paul Rivera, before he moved to the massive rack-based systems that later defined his live sound. The dry, percussive quality of the guitar was achieved by strategic use of console outboard gear for any necessary polish, eschewing heavy pedalboard reliance for the core riff.