Franz Ferdinand Vocal Sound

[Kasey]

Franz Ferdinand is an ok band musically - the main part i love about listening to their album is the sound of it... it all sounds so warm and "vintage". The main thing though is the singer's voice. I don't have much experience so what do I know, but it sounds like their using a ribbon mic with a bunch of tube gear going onto analog tape. The sound is extremely saturated. Has anyone listened to them that could tell me what they think the sound engineer used to record his voice?

I saw a short video clip while searching the internet trying to find out what they used, and they mentioned this thing called an "ackuset" which, apparently theres only like 17 of them in the world, 3 are in museums and franz ferdinand just happens to have one. I think its some sort of old tape echo but i'm not sure. They said in the video that it is the "secret to the franz ferdinand sound" but they couldnt get it to work for a demonstration. Does anyone know anything about these things?

[ez_willis]

Check this out.

[FALKEN]

I have gotten a similar sound with a shure 55 thru a cheap tube pre. you pretty much want a tube pre. you dont necessarily need tape....ive gotten that sound recording digital.

[ecktronic]

An SM57 for kick drum? Different. I have used an Sm58 with a D112, but never really tried an SM57. Worth a shot maybe.

[TheMajorMiller]

Originally Posted by Kasey

"secret to the franz ferdinand sound"

1. Mix equal parts Joy Division, Talking Heads and Wire.

2. Learn each respective band's catalog.

3. Re-arrange the parts, buy vintage gear, hire stylist.

4. Continuously lie to yourself and the public that you are coming up with a style "all your own".

5. Repeat ad nauseum.

See also: Interpol, The Killers

[ecktronic]

Originally Posted by TheMajorMiller

4. Continuously lie to yourself and the public that you are coming up with a style "all your own".
See also: Interpol, The Killers

Yup Mmmm yup. (10 character) filler

[Kasey]

Originally Posted by TheMajorMiller

1. Mix equal parts Joy Division, Talking Heads and Wire.

2. Learn each respective band's catalog.

3. Re-arrange the parts, buy vintage gear, hire stylist.

4. Continuously lie to yourself and the public that you are coming up with a style "all your own".

5. Repeat ad nauseum.

See also: Interpol, The Killers

haha... well said - nonetheless, the actual sound of it is pretty cool.

[dwillis45]

Originally Posted by TheMajorMiller

1. Mix equal parts Joy Division, Talking Heads and Wire.

2. Learn each respective band's catalog.

3. Re-arrange the parts, buy vintage gear, hire stylist.

4. Continuously lie to yourself and the public that you are coming up with a style "all your own".

5. Repeat ad nauseum.

See also: Interpol, The Killers

I would use less Talking Heads and add a little more Gang of Four and a dash of the Monochrome Set.