Smooth Latin Rock

L'artista

Carlos Santana revolutionized rock and Latin music fusion with his percussive, expressive lead tone and pioneering integration of Latin rhythms into rock guitar. Multi-Grammy award winner and cultural icon.

D'on surt el to

Smooth's tone combines moderate compression with chorus effect through a PRS guitar into a clean amplifier, emphasizing midrange clarity and percussive attack with smooth, sustained trails.

Context

Released in 1999 on the comeback album 'Supernatural', 'Smooth' features Santana's signature Latin-influenced phrasing and chorus-drenched tone that brought him to mainstream recognition in the late 90s.

Com tocar-lo

• Percussive Attack with Smoothness Combine percussive muting (attacking strings with heel of hand) with legato release. Strike the string clearly, then let notes bloom and sustain through compression and effects.
• Chorus for Width and Presence Use moderate chorus (speed 3-5, depth 20-30%) to create a wide, shimmering tone. The chorus adds movement without sacrificing clarity - perfect for both lead lines and rhythm playing.
• Volume Swell Technique Use the volume knob to create 'swell' effects - roll off volume before striking a note, then fade in smoothly. This creates a bell-like attack that's signature to Santana's style.

Equip original

Ampli

PRS Amplifiers (modern tube/solid-state hybrid)

Guitarra

PRS Signature model with bridge pickup position

Pantalla

PRS cabinet with modern speaker configuration

Notes

Clean tone with moderate compression and prominent chorus effect. Percussive attack combined with smooth sustain. Often uses volume swells and attacks from muted strings.

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