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 What kind of mic does Mr Black use for recording?
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crippe
- FB Fan -

Sweden
64 Posts

Posted - 04/14/2003 :  08:46:51  Show Profile  Visit crippe's Homepage
I guess he use a Shure SM58 for live performances, but what does he use for recording? I really like the vocals on BLD and DW and because I record music myself I´m curious.

ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -

USA
2953 Posts

Posted - 04/14/2003 :  10:43:33  Show Profile
I think they just dangle one Radio Shack mic in the middle of the room when they record albums.

I really like the VOX on devil's workshop too. I love the reverb sounds and the subtle delay on his voice in some of the songs. Especially "heloise" when he sings "...down here serving the priest." The delay/echo is so cool on that part.

Derek
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crippe
- FB Fan -

Sweden
64 Posts

Posted - 04/14/2003 :  13:24:32  Show Profile  Visit crippe's Homepage
Yeah, the subtleness (correct spelling?) of the vocal effects is really nice. I generally dislike too much reverb on vocals, I want that ´in your face´ type sound that FB and the C´s have captured very well on their last two albums. It sounds like FB sings quite close to the mic (too close for a windscreen sometimes, have heard some PUFFS on DW).
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6182 Posts

Posted - 04/14/2003 :  14:24:06  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address
Yes and on Dog in the Sand you can hear some hiss when I sings the 'S'


''it's not a box, it's a submarine''
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Atheist4Catholics
= Cult of Ray =

USA
925 Posts

Posted - 04/16/2003 :  05:45:35  Show Profile  Visit Atheist4Catholics's Homepage
quote:
It sounds like FB sings quite close to the mic (too close for a windscreen sometimes, have heard some PUFFS on DW).



He's got to sing close or there'll be too much bleed from his guitar.

I assume he uses a variety of very nice microphones. There's probably a Neumann U87, an AKG 414, and a TLM 170 in there. Fairly expensive, great sounding mics, but also rugged.

If I could see pictures of any of the sessions I could tell you. Speaking of, wouldn't that be nice? Why not jump on the DVD bandwagon and give us some behind the scenes of the recording sessions?

www.mp3.com/clootie
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6182 Posts

Posted - 04/16/2003 :  06:05:12  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address
i'm with you


''it's not a box, it's a submarine''
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crippe
- FB Fan -

Sweden
64 Posts

Posted - 04/16/2003 :  06:40:08  Show Profile  Visit crippe's Homepage
My money is on the Neumann (maybe the U87 or the M149), because he is a self-admitted vintage freak.

The Neumann U87 (around 2000$)
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carsonwerner
= Cult of Ray =

USA
254 Posts

Posted - 04/16/2003 :  07:20:18  Show Profile  Visit carsonwerner's Homepage
Yeah I was going to say something about it probably being vintage, because everytime he talks about the mobile studio he mentions that most of the equipment is a bit older.
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leokearse
- FB Fan -

United Kingdom
203 Posts

Posted - 04/18/2003 :  06:32:48  Show Profile  Visit leokearse's Homepage
Mofo! Is that a mike or a moonlander?

- Leo
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echo park
- FB Fan -

Saint Barthelemy
128 Posts

Posted - 04/18/2003 :  20:20:48  Show Profile
Session I was at a couple months back, he was using a Beyer M500, a special edition, I think it was an anniversary edition or something like that. This is a newly made ribbon mic, it gives a vintage-style ribbon sound but isn't as precious as bringing out a classic RCA ribbon mic. They can be modified by installing an RCA ribbon to sound very much like the RCA. Those old RCA's are now crazy expensive, like $3,000 & up.

I gotta say, hearing the man sing through that mic and into my headphones, with no cruddy CD getting in the way, was like a new kind of live performance, very impressive, unlike what I've heard on record or at a live show. That mic seems to round out the low-end chest voice and bring a smooth, but still present top end. It seemed as if he was very close to the mic, although I could not see the vocal booth while recording. Can't remember what mic pre they were going to. I'll ask Ben if I see him again. It may have been straight to the Neve mixer or a very old RCA module. I don't think there was much reverb if any (I don't remember seeing a reverb unit in the control room - maybe there was a plate somehwere), but there was a light amount of tape delay.

I tell you one thing, I recently found a busted Beyer M250, a similar mic, and I now know it'll be worth the $150 to re-ribbon it! Can't wait to get it back!
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Puppaduck
- FB Fan -

USA
21 Posts

Posted - 05/12/2003 :  19:34:25  Show Profile
A Neumann UM57 was used for most of Devil's Workshop. The Beyer M500 was sort of a back-up mic. A Sony C37a was used for most of "Show Me Your Tears", though the Beyer was used for FB if the Sony was needed elsewhere.
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echo park
- FB Fan -

Saint Barthelemy
128 Posts

Posted - 05/12/2003 :  21:53:18  Show Profile
Ah, that explains it! I remember that C37 very well, and the three lovely ladies surrounding it (and me!).

Puppaduck: Ben, is that you?
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <

3648 Posts

Posted - 05/13/2003 :  12:06:16  Show Profile
i thought they just used an answering machine... and then looped it, but you might be right about the radio shack thing

"Snooch to the muthaf**kin Nooch"
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crippe
- FB Fan -

Sweden
64 Posts

Posted - 05/15/2003 :  18:21:26  Show Profile  Visit crippe's Homepage
So the new record will have a REAL vintage sound to it then? The C37a is really old equipment, maybe next FB will start recording directly to vinyl
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billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6182 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  14:38:56  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address
that's something he always wanted
I read that in the DITS bio


''it's not a box, it's a submarine''
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Atheist4Catholics
= Cult of Ray =

USA
925 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  07:20:31  Show Profile  Visit Atheist4Catholics's Homepage
Have you guys heard the Wax Cylinder recording They Might Be Giants did on Factory Showroom? It's pretty cool. It's called "I Can Hear You"

www.mp3.com/clootie
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