Mic & Preamp for #1 Billboard Songs

[Norm Mix]

I was wondering what would be the most used Mic & Pre-amp combination on the lead vocal for #1 Billboard Songs. I know there is an answer....I just wonder if it's been researched and logged anywhere. Do any of you guys know the answer? Or care to take a guess at it? If we all research this maybe we could find the answer . . It would be very interesting to know this statistics. Thanks! Norm

 

[Wide Awake]

Neumann U87 or U47. Just a guess.

Do you mean in the history of Billboard #1 songs, or in 2004 ?

 

[Middleman]

U67 and C12 also.

Preamps would be Neve, API, and SSL falling off to Helios and Euphonix on the low end. Focusrite is also showing up in recent years.

Most will have an LA2A on the vocal for limiting. In the rock genre I would add the 1176 and in Hip Hop the Avalon 737. Not cast in stone here but these are generally the grouping. Oh and the occasional Focusrite Red on compression.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Probably a U87 directly into the board for most of the hits, because it's commonly available, and most of these recordings don't set out to be hits; they're lucky accidents. If an outboard preamp is used, it's probably a Neve or an API pre.

Al Schmitt uses the Martech pre, while George Massenburg uses the GML pre for most vocals. Their vocal mic of choice is usually the Neumann U67 (George's U67 has the Stephen Paul .7 micron diaphragm mod).

Next, would probably be the Neumann U47 or U67 (often with mods). The Tele ELA M251 would also be a contender. The AKG C12 is also up there. Popular mics in the 50's and 60's would be the RCA 44BX and 77DX.

The most common compressor would be the UA LA-2a and yes, I forgot about the 1176.

 

[Norm Mix]

Wide Awake... I was referring to the History of #1 Billboard Songs.

Thanks for your input everyone!! .........
This is getting interesting..........Please keep it going!!!

 

[Norm Mix]

Harvey,
I figured you would know more about that question than anyone else.
Thanks for your time and Input!! Norm

 

[acorec]

I was wondering what would be the most used Mic & Pre-amp combination on the lead vocal for #1 Billboard Songs. I know there is an answer....I just wonder if it's been researched and logged anywhere. Do any of you guys know the answer? Or care to take a guess at it? If we all research this maybe we could find the answer . . It would be very interesting to know this statistics. Thanks! Norm

Actually, I read some article about billboard songs, and an awful lot of those engineers seem to prefer Avalon EQs and Pre's. They do give vocals "air" if there is such a thing.

 

[tallman]

I had the pleasure of working with one of the worlds top record producers. She insisted on Neve consoles all the way through the recording process, but had less of an obsession for using trendy high-priced microphones. Not to say that we didn't get a chance to play with fancy equipment, but most of the vocals were recorded on a common hand-held dyamic microphone.

 

[chessparov]

Tall, my guess is that it was... Sylvia Massy Shivy?

And my pick for most influential AE pioneer/product innovator is Bill Putnam.

Chris

 

[Middleman]

And my pick for most influential AE pioneer/product innovator is Bill Putnam.

Chris

No doubt about that.

 

[tallman]

Chessparov, Good guess Indeed. She's a pleasure to work with, and really knows her stuff. Did you guess because of her recording technique, or was she the only top female producer that came to mind? Some of my buddies have been shopping for producers, and honestly, she's the only female I ever hear mentioned on everybody's wishlist.

 

[chessparov]

Tall, all that and I "cheated" a little since I know she likes the SM58/57 quite a bit on some vocals.

Chris

 

[wesley tanner]

it's the SSL's all the way.

 

[EleKtriKaz]

it's the SSL's all the way.

It does seem like the SSL 9000 series boards are being used on EVERYTHING. I would love to work on one.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

It does seem like the SSL 9000 series boards are being used on EVERYTHING. I would love to work on one.

Usually Neve's for tracking, SSL for mixing.

 

[Middleman]

Not a lot of people rave about SSL pres, its the buss compression and summing that most people are after.

 

[wesley tanner]

according to billboard magazine, 75% of all US chart-topping CD's were mixed on ssl onsoles.

the only decent studio in Iowa, catamountrecording, has a ssl 4048E/G+ with total recall. Not that I've used it, but a buddy/guy I work with just did a bunch of tracking there.

he also said the engineers were very secretive, as I was asking all sorts of questions about how they did his kit, aparently, they wouldn't let him know... one thing with a triggered timed gate on the snare, which is pretty obvious to figure out, but also buzz rolling on every instrument for about 5 minutes, maybe to figure out placement/eqing options?? sorry I kinda went off on a tangent there...

we