24 Oct 2016, 09:49
24 Oct 2016, 10:04
"Brian used a Shure SM58 in the beginning, but we ended up using the SM7 for most of the vocals because it has a little bit more top end. The vocals were also recorded straight into the Neve. He sang the guide vocals in the control room, but did most of his overdubs in an overdubbing and editing suite on the first floor with Brendan. The vocals went straight into the Neve, though I did use a Distressor compressor and I EQ'ed a bit, to get rid of any rumbling or banging. Because he's singing into a handheld mic there are some low noises that you want to get rid of. I don't like de‑essers, and the Distressor takes out some sibilance. I'd also cut around 3‑5k on the desk and add some top end to keep the air. That was all for the lead vocals.
Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Mike Fraser
"I recorded the background vocals in the live room with a Neumann tube 47. We put some gobos around the mic to cut down on the ambience. When Malcolm and Cliff sang backing vocals they just ran out and put their headphones on. Brendan sometimes joined them, but Malcolm and Cliff together is the AC/DC sound. We sometimes doubled and tripled the background vocals, and they sang every part, we didn't copy and paste stuff."
Microphone Choices
The Shure Beta 58A remains Pab's first choice of vocal mic. "I stick to the standard Beta 58A for vocals, and the people I work with are usually happy with that choice,” he says. "Let's face it, the 58 is still the classic rock & roll microphone, it's very robust, and with most singers, from Paul McCartney and Brian Johnson to Annie Lennox and Paul Simon, I can tell what I'll get from it.
"I've got no problem trying out new microphone models, and there's virtually no manufacturer out there that hasn't tried to persuade me to stick one of their mics in front of Paul's or Brian's face because, for them, it's the money shot. I will very rarely make a change, though, mainly because certain artists become accustomed to working with the 58s: they'll instinctively sing off-axis to achieve an effect they want. It's a learned technique that you can't mess with.
"With Brian, you don't need anything above 4kHz or below 150-200Hz, and that's being nice about it! You just need a product that will grab the information for you at the desk and help you punch your way through a wall of guitars.
"You also have to respect the monitor engineer. If he is putting a high SPL through a pair of wedges, it's no good using something like a Shure KSM9 for vocals. It may sound beautiful but it's way too sensitive for that situation.”
24 Oct 2016, 10:34
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25 Oct 2016, 00:39
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25 Oct 2016, 09:15