TEST: Digitech Brian May Red Special

 Yes, they exist, but there are very few of them. We're talking about the guitarists who, through a combination of craftsmanship and technical specifications, have managed to create a unique sound that makes it possible to recognize them for who they are in just seconds. The name Brian May, alongside Freddy Mercury, the figurehead of the group QUEEN, must definitely be mentioned in the top 5 of this species. His unique tone in combination with his orchestral, polyphonic harmony arrangements have shaped and influenced countless musicians, including the author of this article.
Thanks to modern modeling technology, the company DigiTech, in collaboration with Mr. May, is now working to combine and reproduce the most important sounds that Brian May has created in his career in a single pedal, the “Brian May Red Special”.

History:
In order to get an idea of the task to be mastered, you first have to look at Brian May's original setup, whereby you also have to differentiate between studio and live setup. First of all, we have his very unique guitar, the original model of which he made by hand as a young boy together with his father and which plays a large part in the overall sound due to its single-coil Burns pickups and the large option for phase switches. The generated signal goes into a treble booster, behind which there is an old FOXX phaser. In Brian May's live setup, the signal ultimately ends in one or more VOX AC 30s. For larger stages, they often stacked as much as they could, so there were sometimes 9 of them live. this classic on Mr. May's side of the stage, 3 pieces each. connected in series for Center, Delay L and Delay R. The analog effects triggered various phasing and chorus effects, which created a kind of “widening sound” provided the three signals were correctly placed in the stereo image.

In the studio, the so-called “Deacy” amp was also used for most things, an adventurous, battery-operated miniature amp that was supposedly cobbled together from parts of several old tube radios by QUEEN bassist John Deacon in the early 1970s.


Construction:
As a means of transport, the pedal comes with a cute black bag with an embroidered autograph from Brian May in which the pedal and power supply can be transported. Due to the high power consumption, the pedal can only be operated with the included power supply. Visually, the bright color and the “mahogany grain replica” paintwork make an appealing impression, and the device is built solid enough to counteract the sometimes gross motor trampling of the boot-wearing string guild.

In addition to the input for the guitar, there is a connection for an optional additional foot switch. On the opposite side there are 2 outputs in the modes Amp mono + Mixer mono (mixer out frequency corrected), Mixer Out Stereo or Amp (see ) Out stereo. In addition to its main area of use (switched directly in front of the amp), you also have the option of connecting the pedal directly to an exceptional device. There is enough soft hard rubber on the underside of the housing to give the pedal stability. The actual pedal also has a rubber pad and offers the foot enough support.

On the front there are 3 coaxial controllers + a selector switch, a total of 7 controllers plus a multifunctional LED. From left to right there are the following control options: Gain, output level, treble, bass, control (model-dependent control), guitar (whether a guitar with humbuckers or single-coil pickups is connected) + the model selection control.

Then, put the guitar in, connected the amp and.........nothing! Only the original signal from the guitar is beautifully looped through without any sound modulation. Despite violently rocking the pedal and helplessly turning all the controls, nothing happens! After 20 minutes of twisting and turning the device and the manual, I call the sales department in exasperation to get instructions. The friendly service technician explains to me: “We had the same problem, just put your full body weight on the pedal, the pedal cannot be activated when sitting.”

No sooner said than done, after a hearty kick (which I would never have dared to do with its intensity) the processor starts. The basic concept is based on the fact that, depending on the model variant, you can switch 2 sounds on, off or switch by pressing the pedal firmly towards the toe or heel. Depending on your choice, the multifunction LED lights up green or red or not at all in standby mode. You can also use the pedal to vary some parameters such as the speed or intensity of an FX while playing.

The following presets were created by the factory as basic sounds:

Model 1: “Keep Yourself Alive” (Intro with Flanger / Solo with Flanger)
Model 2: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Solo / Rhythm)
Model 3: “Tie Your Mother Down” (Intro / Solo)
Model 4: “We Will Rock You / We Are The Champions” (Solo / Solo)
Model 5: “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (acoustic intro / solo)
Model 6: “Brighton Rock - Live” (Delay Solo / Harmony Pitch)
Model 7: “Deacy / A Winters Tale” (Deacy Unprocessed / A Winter Tale – Solo)



Practice:
To put it bluntly, 50% or more of Brian May's sound comes from his fingers, combined with his polyphonic arrangements, which can only be rudimentarily implemented live without additional technical aids. You get a very nice impression of how QUEEN sounded live at the time on the live record “Killers” from 1979, a record that polarized the fans of his time due to its roughness and sometimes even punk-like “snot” on stage. But if you just concentrate on the main guitar, some of the presets stand out positively from the overall context.

The Model 4 knows how to please “We Will Rock You / We Are The Champions” with its quite authentic rendition. All the over-emphasis of the high mids, the hollow, phase-deleted basic timbre is present very nicely, depending on the pickup used. Model 2 “Bohemian Rhapsody” also nailed the two basic sounds well. Both the more nasal solo sound and the more earthy rhythm sound are pleasing in context. The Model 6 “Brighton Rock” with its two delays of 900 ms and 1800 ms respectively comes very close to the original and allows the typical delayed polyphony that underlies the solo part of the title.

Model 1 + 3 can be described as very neat, but they do not stand out from the context due to their solid orientation. Personally, I would like to consider Model 7 as a bonus and the acoustic guitar simulator from Modell is simply a failure, but let's be honest, not all acoustic guitar simulators for electric guitars are nothing more than a cry for help against that inevitable guitar change? So you should be able to get over this failure.

As in the original lineup, the background noise level is sometimes very high due to the treble booster. Everything that is available in terms of highs and high-mids is boosted disproportionately. In conjunction with a single-coil pickup that is already more susceptible to background noise, this can sometimes reach adventurous proportions. Now you can position yourself skillfully near a tube monitor and the sound engineer will tear out clumps of his hair during the record production ;-) But that's the way it is, dear people, listen to the quiet passages on the record “A Day At The Races “What a waterfall is rushing out of the speakers in the background, the original is just the original....

It should also be noted that single-coil instruments are much more authentic in terms of originality, which is no surprise since Brian May's original instrument is also equipped with extremely low-performance single-coil instruments, which were stolen from a worn-out Burns guitar at the time. Using a guitar knob you can thin out the low mid and bass range of an instrument equipped with humbuckers to get closer to the original. Interestingly, however, I liked the single coil setting for humbuckers much better than the optional factory thinning.

Conclusion:
Anyone who wants to have the most important QUEEN guitar sounds ready at the push of a button, be it in a cover/tribute band, or just for personal use, is well served with the Red Special. If you take into account the immense purchase and transport costs of the original setup, the signed hand robust pedal represents a transportable and effective solution, which is particularly popular at the moment due to the QUEEN musical boom and the, let's say, half Reunion of the band has its right to exist.
However, if you want to have the most accurate Brian May tone possible, you also have to look at the artist's playing technique. I once saw Brian May on a midnight talk show with Germany's flagship jokester Thomas Gottschalk, armed only with his guitar and a pocket-sized 3-watt "practice squeaky". Believe it or not, even with this dwarf equipment, his sound was as unique as it was on stage or in the studio…

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Additional Informations:

Brian May, the iconic guitarist of the legendary rock band Queen, is not only renowned for his virtuosic musicianship but also for his multifaceted talents and remarkable life journey. From his formative years in suburban England to his meteoric rise to rock stardom and beyond, May's story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence. In this extensive exploration, we delve deep into the life and career of Brian May, tracing his evolution from guitar prodigy to cultural icon and scientific luminary.

### Early Life and Musical Beginnings:

Brian Harold May was born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, Middlesex, England. Raised in a loving family environment, May's early years were marked by a fascination with music and a natural aptitude for the guitar. Inspired by rock 'n' roll pioneers like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly, young Brian honed his skills on a makeshift guitar constructed by his father from an old fireplace and household materials.

### The Formation of Queen:

May's musical journey took a pivotal turn when he crossed paths with singer Freddie Mercury, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon in the early 1970s. Together, they formed the band Queen, embarking on a musical odyssey that would captivate audiences around the world. May's distinctive guitar sound, characterized by soaring solos, intricate harmonies, and innovative techniques, became synonymous with Queen's anthemic rock anthems and operatic masterpieces.

### Musical Mastery and Innovation:

As Queen's lead guitarist and primary songwriter, Brian May played a pivotal role in shaping the band's sonic identity. His virtuosic playing and imaginative approach to the guitar set new standards for rock musicianship, earning him widespread acclaim and adoration from fans and fellow musicians alike. From the iconic riffs of "Bohemian Rhapsody" to the majestic solos of "We Will Rock You," May's contributions to Queen's catalog are nothing short of legendary.

### Beyond the Stage: An Academic Pursuit:

In addition to his musical pursuits, Brian May's intellectual curiosity led him to pursue academic interests in astrophysics. Despite achieving early success with Queen, May remained committed to his studies, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics from Imperial College London in 1974. However, his passion for music never waned, and he continued to balance his academic pursuits with his musical career.

### A Return to the Spotlight:

Following the passing of Freddie Mercury in 1991 and the subsequent dissolution of Queen as a touring act, Brian May embarked on a diverse array of projects that showcased his versatility as a musician and creative visionary. From solo albums to collaborations with other artists, May continued to explore new avenues of expression while keeping the spirit of Queen alive through live performances and tribute concerts.

### Scientific Stardom and Philanthropy:

In recent years, Brian May has garnered acclaim not only for his contributions to music but also for his advocacy in the fields of science and conservation. As a passionate astrophysicist and animal rights activist, May has lent his voice to numerous causes, using his platform to raise awareness about issues ranging from climate change to wildlife preservation. His work in these areas has earned him recognition and accolades from scientific organizations and humanitarian groups alike.

### Legacy and Influence:

As one of the most revered guitarists in rock history, Brian May's impact on music and popular culture is immeasurable. His innovative playing style, distinctive tone, and boundless creativity continue to inspire generations of musicians across genres. Moreover, his dedication to academic pursuits and philanthropic endeavors serves as a shining example of the transformative power of passion and purpose.

### Conclusion:

In the annals of rock 'n' roll history, few figures loom as large or cast as long a shadow as Brian May. As the architect of Queen's epic soundscapes and a respected academic in his own right, May has transcended the confines of musical stardom to become a cultural icon and scientific luminary. Whether dazzling audiences with his virtuosic guitar solos or championing causes close to his heart, Brian May remains a true Renaissance man whose influence reverberates far beyond the stage.