Riff Tone
Kids
MGMT
Guitarother2000s
Original Gear
GuitarUnknown (no evidence of guitar on riff; main riff is synth-based)
AmpN/A
PickupsN/A
Amp Settings
gain0
bass2.5
mid3
treble3.5
reverb1
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
All available sources and audio evidence indicate the iconic riff in 'Kids' by MGMT is performed on a synthesizer, not guitar. No evidence of a guitar or amp used for the clean riff section in the studio recording (2007, Oracular Spectacular).
Tone Character(10)
bright and syntheticmodulated vibratoorgan-like timbreclean and pureno guitar artifactsLFO-driven pitch modulationfairground/retro synth characterno amp colorationno string noiseprecise, electronic attack
Difficulty
The riff is straightforward in rhythm and melody but requires accurate synth programming and timing; no guitar-specific difficulty as the part is not played on guitar.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarother2000s
Original Gear
GuitarUnknown (no evidence of guitar on riff; main riff is synth-based)
AmpN/A
PickupsN/A
Amp Settings
gain0
bass2.5
mid3
treble3.5
reverb1
presence3
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
All available sources and audio evidence indicate the iconic riff in 'Kids' by MGMT is performed on a synthesizer, not guitar. No evidence of a guitar or amp used for the clean riff section in the studio recording (2007, Oracular Spectacular).
Tone Character(10)
bright and syntheticmodulated vibratoorgan-like timbreclean and pureno guitar artifactsLFO-driven pitch modulationfairground/retro synth characterno amp colorationno string noiseprecise, electronic attack
Difficulty
The riff is straightforward in rhythm and melody but requires accurate synth programming and timing; no guitar-specific difficulty as the part is not played on guitar.