Tone library / Mac DeMarco / Freaking Out the Neighborhood

Freaking Out the Neighborhood amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

The Mac DeMarco guitar tone for “Freaking Out the Neighborhood”, dialed in for a Boss Katana 50 MkII with a Harley Benton CST-24T. Studio version, '2' album (2012)

Original rig

Fender Vibro Champ (6W tube) → Roland KC-550 keyboard amp, Teisco 'Cardboard Queen' guitar, MXR Micro Amp, JHS Colour Box, EHX Holy Grail Reverb

Warm, lo-fi, slightly broken clean with lush reverb and subtle grit on transients

Amp settings — Boss Katana 50 MkII

CHANNELCleanBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	3
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	7
Presence	4
Reverb	6
Master	5

Don’t have a Boss Katana 50 MkII? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE6 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Katana Booster (internal effect — simulates MXR Micro Amp)

Use the 'Booster' effect in Boss Tone Studio set to 'Clean' or 'Treble' type; engage when you want the pushed, slightly compressed attack Mac gets from his Micro Amp

Level 6 · Tone 5

Why these settings

The original Vibro Champ is a low-wattage tube amp with natural sag and warmth; the Katana Clean channel is more sterile and has more headroom. Gain at 3 adds just enough harmonic content to simulate tube breakup without actual distortion. Treble at 7 compensates for the CST-24T's humbuckers being darker than Mac's Teisco single-coils. Reverb at 6 replicates the heavy Holy Grail wash he uses—this is a wet tone.

PRO TIPPick closer to the bridge while using the neck pickup—Mac specifically does this to get note clarity and attack without losing the warmth of the neck position. This technique is core to his jangly-yet-round sound.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Boss Katana 50 MkII. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.