James Iha

"We started using new effects. We’re both using Fractal Axe-FX IIs. We wanted to get some of the original sounds back, but also see if we could make things bigger, crazier, or more exaggerated than the original effects," says James Iha, in this article.

In a 2018 performance of "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" on The Howard Stern Show, James Iha of The Smashing Pumpkins is seen using the RJM Music Mastermind GT-16 MIDI Foot Controller.

James uses an Eventide H3000 Harmonizer live. It is the effect they used live on The End Is The Beginning Is The End for the super high squeely notes. It was the first "intelligent"/diatonic pitch-shifter ever when it came out in 1986.

Seen here behind Pumpkins' bassist D'arcy Wretzky, the harmonizers were used as an improvement over the previously (studio) used H3000s by both Corgan and Iha.

James has two Digitech DHP harmonizers which were used on his Zero solos. A harmonizer automatically plays additional "harmony" notes along with the guitar, given a certain key and mode, allowing the guitarist to effectively play multiple parts at once.

In this photo of James’ rig from 1995 we can see a Rocktron All Access.

Used for the soundtrack of Deadbeat, as specified in the appendix of this August 28, 2014 Electronic Musician interview.

James Iha’s Studio Gear

Thanks to Clear Lake Recording and engineer Brian Blake for the specs on James Iha’s Deadbeat music and recording equipment:

Recording/Studio: API DSM console, KRK V8 monitors, Mac Pro, Pro Tools 11

Guitar Recording Chain: Neumann U87 and M49B mics, Focusrite ISA 215 mic pre/EQ, Focusrite Red 2-channel compressor, Neve 1073 mic pre/EQ

(Borrowed) Guitar Amps: Matchless DC30, Swart AST, Ampeg B15, Fender Deluxe

Other Essential Recording Pieces: API 2500 compressor, API Channel Strip, Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor, Radial DIs

Used for the soundtrack of Deadbeat, as specified in the appendix of this August 28, 2014 Electronic Musician interview.

James Iha’s Studio Gear

Thanks to Clear Lake Recording and engineer Brian Blake for the specs on James Iha’s Deadbeat music and recording equipment:

Recording/Studio: API DSM console, KRK V8 monitors, Mac Pro, Pro Tools 11

Guitar Recording Chain: Neumann U87 and M49B mics, Focusrite ISA 215 mic pre/EQ, Focusrite Red 2-channel compressor, Neve 1073 mic pre/EQ

(Borrowed) Guitar Amps: Matchless DC30, Swart AST, Ampeg B15, Fender Deluxe

Other Essential Recording Pieces: API 2500 compressor, API Channel Strip, Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor, Radial DIs

Used for the guitar on the soundtrack for Deadbeat, as specified in the appendix of this August 28, 2014 Electronic Musician interview.

James Iha’s Studio Gear

Thanks to Clear Lake Recording and engineer Brian Blake for the specs on James Iha’s Deadbeat music and recording equipment:

Recording/Studio: API DSM console, KRK V8 monitors, Mac Pro, Pro Tools 11

Guitar Recording Chain: Neumann U87 and M49B mics, Focusrite ISA 215 mic pre/EQ, Focusrite Red 2-channel compressor, Neve 1073 mic pre/EQ

(Borrowed) Guitar Amps: Matchless DC30, Swart AST, Ampeg B15, Fender Deluxe

Other Essential Recording Pieces: API 2500 compressor, API Channel Strip, Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor, Radial DIs