Thornhill Guitar Tones: George Lever’s In-The-Box Mixing Chain

Creating a killer guitar tone entirely “in the box” (ITB) is standard practice for so many of us slaving away in the studio. But how do top producers like George Lever sculpt those unique, massive tones that perfectly serve the song, like he does for a band as dynamic as Thornhill? Spoiler: it often involves familiar tools used smartly. We got a peek into George Lever’s process for dialing in Thornhill’s guitar sound, and it’s packed with insights you can apply to your own productions.

Let’s dive into how George builds this sound from the ground up, using a digital pedalboard and some clever tweaking.

Building the Foundation: George Lever’s Digital Pedalboard

George kicks things off by loading up his digital signal chain, essentially building his pedalboard and amp rig piece by piece within his DAW. This is where the initial character of the Thornhill guitar tone begins to take shape.

His chain starts with a Pedalboard plugin, which acts as a host for various effects. The first elements he pulls in are:

1. A Graphic EQ: Before hitting any amp simulation, George inserts a graphic EQ. This is likely for some broad initial shaping, perhaps taming unruly frequencies from the DI or boosting areas that will react well with the distortion to come. Getting your EQ strategy right from the start is crucial.
2. A GetGood Drums Archetype Plugin: Next up is a powerhouse from GetGood Drums, likely one of their Archetype series plugins (like Archetype: Nolly, Gojira, or Plini X). These are renowned for their amp and effects modeling. George mentions having an amp and a specific pedal active within this plugin, which points to the versatility of these all-in-one guitar suites.

He notes the order of these plugins, turns certain elements off initially, and then starts to bring them online one by one. This methodical approach is key to understanding what each part of the chain contributes.

Amp Sims and IRs: The Core of the Thornhill Tone

With the basic chain in place, George moves to the heart of the electric guitar sound: the amp and cabinet.

Dialing in the Amp with GetGood Drums Plugins

Inside the GetGood Drums Archetype plugin, George focuses on the amp block. Initially, he mentions ignoring the specific amp settings, loading them up as they were, likely from a previous session or a preset. His first goal? “We need to start shaping the amp… I need to hear the low end come through more.” This is a common objective for heavy tones – ensuring the chugs have weight without becoming muddy.

He also activates a fuzz pedal within the GetGood Drums plugin, a critical component for achieving Thornhill’s signature texture. The interaction between the fuzz and the amp is where a lot of the magic happens for distorted tones.

The Art of Impulse Responses: Crafting the Cab Sound

No ITB guitar tone is complete without a great cabinet sound, typically achieved using Impulse Responses (IRs). George has a specific IR setup he uses:

• Loading Specific IRs: He loads up his chosen cabinet IRs. The video shows him selecting between a couple, possibly blending them. This is a common technique to get a fuller, more complex sound than a single IR might provide.
• Recalling Settings Visually: Interestingly, George mentions recalling settings by “remembering like clock faces” and that his initial IR level settings “looked something daft.” This is a super relatable way many producers work – using visual cues and muscle memory, especially when dealing with lots of parameters. It’s not always about the exact numbers, but how it feels and sounds.

He’s meticulous here, ensuring the cab simulation complements the amp and fuzz, even if the initial combination needs some work.

Troubleshooting and Fine-Tuning the Tone

Even for seasoned pros, the first pass doesn’t always nail it. George runs into a common issue: the tone isn’t quite there yet.

Addressing the “Fluff”: The Initial Sound Check

After assembling the chain, George listens critically. “It’s probably going to sound rubbish,” he candidly remarks, and indeed, he feels the tone is a bit “fluffy” and that “something’s missing.” This is a crucial stage – honest assessment. He even compares it to his original reference tone to pinpoint discrepancies.

The Crucial Pedal Setting Adjustment

What was the culprit? After some investigation, George hones in on a pedal setting within his GetGood Drums Archetype plugin. “I guess it was just the pedal being wrong,” he concludes. He even “cheats” (his word!) by copying settings from his reference patch to the current one. This isn’t really cheating; it’s efficient problem-solving! Getting those gain stages and effect parameters just right, especially in distortion pedals, can make or break a tone.

Once adjusted, he confirms, “It sounds exactly the same [as the reference]. It can stay then.”

Context is Key: Bringing in the Bass

Before making final tweaks to the guitar tone, George makes a vital move: “Let’s bring in some base before I start making final decisions.” This is a golden rule of mixing. A guitar tone that sounds amazing in solo might disappear or clash once the bass guitar comes in. Hearing how the low-end frequencies of the guitar and bass interact is essential for making informed EQ and gain decisions.

Key Takeaways for Your Own In-the-Box Guitar Tones

George Lever’s workflow for the Thornhill guitars, even in this short clip, offers some fantastic takeaways:

• Methodical Plugin Chain: Build your ITB rig step-by-step.
• Embrace Amp Sims: Modern amp sims like those from GetGood Drums offer incredible flexibility with amp, pedal, and cab sections.
• IRs are Your Friends: Experiment with different Impulse Responses and consider blending them for unique textures.
• Pedal Settings Matter Immensely: Don’t just focus on the amp; the pedals feeding into it are just as critical.
• Trust Your Ears (and A/B): If it sounds “fluffy” or “off,” investigate. Compare to references.
• Mix in Context: Always check your guitar tones with at least the bass before committing.

Achieving a professional, powerful, and unique guitar tone in the box is totally within reach, often using tools and plugins you might already be familiar with. It’s about understanding how each element interacts and methodically dialing things in.

Want to see how George Lever takes these tones and fits them into the full Thornhill mix? Or how other world-class producers tackle similar challenges with different bands? At Nail The Mix, you get to watch the pros mix entire songs from scratch, using the original multitracks.

If you’re ready to move beyond presets and truly Unlock Your Sound, seeing these techniques in action, explained by the engineers who crafted these iconic sounds, is invaluable. Check out the full Thornhill session with George Lever on Nail The Mix to get the complete picture.