Announcing the re-emergence of one of the most iconic guitar amplifiers and savage guitar tones ever created. The Sunn Beta Lead is the baseline for quality, heavy, overdriven guitar tones, and in this demo, we walk you through three examples of the Beta Lead gain levels. Read below to see how it came together.
Often described as the first great sounding solid state amplifier, the Beta was a revolutionary design when first launched in 1979. The unique analog MOSFET design provides a wide range of tones from full throated rhythm tone to heavily overdriven distortion that cleans up when the instrument volume control is turned back. The amp choice of Kurt Cobain, Red Fang, The Melvins, and many others, the Beta has cemented itself into rock history.
The Beta features two independent channels each with a full set of controls that can be used separately or blended using the footswitch. You have Gain and Level for each channel, each working with each other to blend and thicken the amount of overdrive. When BOTH channels are selected, now you have four separate parameters of gain structuring. Three effect loops provide a multitude of ways to integrate effects into your sound as well making the Sunn Beta Lead a unique tonal workhorse.
Three Levels of Power: The Unique Features of the Sunn Beta Lead Amp
The Beta Lead amplifier is unique in that it has two separate channels that can also be combined to create four separate levels of gain structure (two drive and two level controls) that are sent to a master volume control allowing the user to achieve huge overdriven tones at a studio level or stage level.
The video shows the Beta Lead at three gain scenarios (Low, Mid, and High). The low gain has minimal break up and crunchy cords. The drive here was at 3 and the level at 5 with the EQ basically flat. The mid gain drive was 6 and level at 5 giving thicker rhythm, more distortion and more saturation. High gain was a maxed out drive with the level peaked, making for a thick wall of sound.
The Process of Recording an Electric Guitar Amplifier
Emmy-Nominated Director Iroc Daniels Behind the Lens
Irin "Iroc" Daniels, who Sunn Amps asked to shoot this piece, began his film career directing music videos for top artists, with his work featured on MTV, REVOLT, and BET. In 2009, he founded Marmera Creative, a multimedia production house known for its high-quality content for brands and studios like Netflix and Hartbeat Studios. Daniels' dedication and ability to create stunning visuals have earned him critical acclaim and two Emmy nominations. For Daniels, filmmaking is about creating unforgettable experiences, blending luxury with compelling narratives to set new standards for cinematic excellence.
Guitarist Andy Thomas of "Rivers of Nihil"
Andy Thomas, a seasoned guitarist with 26 years of experience and guitarist for Rivers of Nihil was immediately impressed by the Sunn Beta Lead’s thick, powerful output. Andy, who joined Rivers in April 2022, recently completed recording his first full-length album with the band, set for release early next year, and they continue to tour throughout the world to packed, sold-out audiences. To test the amp’s capabilities, he used ideas from “The Sub-Orbital Blues,” a track he first presented to Rivers, which provided a cohesive and dynamic test.
Shot by Emmy nominated film director Iroc Daniels and featuring guitarist Andy Thomas of Rivers of Nihil, we’re here to take you through the Beta Lead amplifier and 3X12T speaker cabinet. Photo by Luca Roman.
The Sunn Amps 3x12T
With his current speaker cabinet collection consisting of a variety of 4X12s and 2X12s, he noted that our 3X12T is his favorite sounding cab he currently owns, “It’s got great clarity and a very tight low end, which is a must for me. The fact that it’s lighter than a 4X12 rules, and I’m a huge fan of the speakers in this particular cab.”
The 3x12T is the Speaker Cabinet That Delivers
Three 75w Sunn 12S75 12” drivers are arranged in a triangle configuration in a solid U.S.A. built, Baltic Birch cabinet. With a low-end punch and plenty of air movement this cab feels and sounds like a 4X12, but at a fraction of the size and weight. The three driver configuration also provides better dispersion with less beaming than a 4X12, so it sounds great wherever it’s used. If you are looking to get the most volume per square inch, then the Sunn 3X12T is the speaker cabinet that delivers. We chose it specifically to pair with the Beta Lead guitar amp for the thick mid range and thumpy base.
Capturing the Sound: Microphones and Preamps
Captured with two microphones (AKG 414 & Sennheiser 421) and two BAE 1073 preamps in a Neve 500 series lunchbox using a Universal Audio Apollo Twin, the Beta Lead demo video showcases the expertise of our sound tech, Chuck Morriss. The C414, often favored for its clarity and figure 8 setting, provides a perfect amount of room tone. The MD421 is his preferred choice for high gain amplifiers due to its dark sound and ability to handle high SPL. The 1073 preamps, beloved for their weighty sound, are perfect for capturing heavy riffs. To highlight the Beta Lead amp's natural tone, no EQ or compression was used during recording. The audio remains raw, with the final sound being a blend of the two mics through a basic mastering chain.
As a long-time fan of the Sunn product line, the return of “the Beta Lead amplifier is particularly exciting,” says Morriss, “Its dual channel option and ability to produce massive distortion without tubes are notable features.” With 12 years of experience as a full-time touring and session musician, Morriss brought his expertise to this demo. He’s currently working on a new record and preparing to tour with Sydney Sprague this summer. Check him out on tour if you can.
