my favorite albums - anyone know engineering details ?

manning1 · 14th June 2004

deep purple - machine head
frampton comes alive
Dire straits sultans album
acdc hits
cheap trick hits
The knack first album get the knack. great guitar players.
these are just a few of my favorite albums that i like to play along to on a dreary day and crank up my amplifier if i'm feeling down sometimes. i think ive learnt every lick on every song on these.
and even i like the old andy williams hit music to watch girls go by.
interesting use of minors and key changes.
in fact i never get sick of playing these songs no matter how many times i play them which makes them legendary in my book.
anyone know how some of these were done ? engineered ?
details ? thnx. technical curiosity.

MJGreene Audio · 14th June 2004

Deep Purples Machine Head:
Recorded if I remember correctly in Switzerland in an old hotel with the Rolling Stones mobile. That I think means a Helios console. Pictures I have seen show a bunch of U-67s for acoustic gtr's, vocals, and as drum overheads. The drums look like they were cut in a very tight hallway with the walls only a few inches from the drums. Looks like maybe KM-56's on toms and I am not sure what on Kick and Snare. Lots of vibe and great players with great sounding touch and instruments. (In my mind really the key to any great recording even if you use a bunch of Radio Shack Hi Balls) Doesn't hurt that they had great mics and a great console not to mention a great engineering staff. I found this on the web:

"This album was written and recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, between 6th and 21st December, 1971," and much of it sounds like it was conceived on the fly, what with deathless lines like "You're lazy you just stay in bed/You don't want no money/You don't want no bread." There's even trials getting Machine Head recorded: it seemed that some local arsonist burned down the best recording studio in town but luckily the Rolling Stones' mobile unit was on hand to get the new D. Purple out on schedule. "

Still a great album with great tones.

manning1 · 14th June 2004

wow , great stuff MJ thanks.
helios once again. something about those consoles.....
keep them coming lads.

meenie · 14th June 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by MJGreene Audio
Deep Purples Machine Head:
Recorded if I remember correctly in Switzerland in an old hotel with the Rolling Stones mobile. That I think means a Helios console. Pictures I have seen show a bunch of U-67s for acoustic gtr's, vocals, and as drum overheads. The drums look like they were cut in a very tight hallway with the walls only a few inches from the drums. Looks like maybe KM-56's on toms and I am not sure what on Kick and Snare. Lots of vibe and great players with great sounding touch and instruments. (In my mind really the key to any great recording even if you use a bunch of Radio Shack Hi Balls) Doesn't hurt that they had great mics and a great console not to mention a great engineering staff. I found this on the web:

"This album was written and recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, between 6th and 21st December, 1971," and much of it sounds like it was conceived on the fly, what with deathless lines like "You're lazy you just stay in bed/You don't want no money/You don't want no bread." There's even trials getting Machine Head recorded: it seemed that some local arsonist burned down the best recording studio in town but luckily the Rolling Stones' mobile unit was on hand to get the new D. Purple out on schedule. "

Still a great album with great tones.

Yeah....

Read the lyrics to "Smoke on the Water", as if you didn't know....

danalexander · 14th June 2004

I have to say that imho, to call helios #2 "a great console" is a bit off. the great sounds on these records originated in the hands and instruments of the players. had smoke on the water been done on an old neve, like most of the old ac/dc classics, it might possibly have sounded better....however, even if it had been recorded on a wollensack, it still would have been a great performance of an unavoidable hit song.....dan alexander

Mike Tholen · 14th June 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by danalexander
I have to say that imho, to call helios #2 "a great console" is a bit off. the great sounds on these records originated in the hands and instruments of the players. had smoke on the water been done on an old neve, like most of the old ac/dc classics, it might possibly have sounded better....however, even if it had been recorded on a wollensack, it still would have been a great performance of an unavoidable hit song.....dan alexander

You seem to be a bit biased toward the "N" word...ofcourse the gear doesn't matter but don't take it to heart.

manning1 · 15th June 2004

you know i adore a lot of those old records.
the 60's through 70's era. another song i love is the hit instrumental "albatross". the whole tone of the song is so good.
i'm curious how the heck the knack got that BIG drum sound intro to sharona. some have said in a big reverb gated room.

what i find curious is so many bands seem to do that first great album and then with a few exceptions the follow ups just dont have it. songwise. anyone else feel like i do ?
maybe its just the first album conks them out. they get tired.
and what the heck were in those helios consoles to make them sound so good on so many records ?

enharmonic · 15th June 2004

Bands and first albums...hmmm...a lot of times, a band is working the material that is their first album for a good long time...then BAM...they get signed, the record drops, and it's out on the whirlwind tour.

When they get back home, they realize that the record company wants that next album in 6-8 months. Unless there's a prolific writer or writers in that band, it's just not gonna happen the way that first album did.

just my .02

Drumsound · 15th June 2004

You've got a lifetime to write your first record and 3 months to write your second...

Check the Mix archives. I know they did a "Classic Tracks" on Dream Police. Probably some of the others you've mentioned as well.

manning1 · 16th June 2004

yeh, once your a known revenue stream everyone wants more and more....explains a lot........

Rusty Cage · 16th June 2004

Machine Head is documented fairly well in the "Smoke On The Water" lyrics... the "Grand Hotel" with the RS mobile. I can't get over how many great albums that thing's on. LZ IV for instance...

Yeah, that's gotta be a U67 Ian Gillan's singing into.

I think most of the early AC/DC stuff was recorded on the Neve 2408 at Alberts in Sydney - now installed at Hothouse in Melbourne. Definitely "Dirty Deeds", as well as some Midnight Oil and Rose Tattoo. At least one guy on these boards has spent a lot of time in front of that desk, and would know a lot more about its history than I do.

manning1 · 16th June 2004

i think also the guitarists in the knack when everyone mention heros of guitar are too often overlooked.
they had great technique. would love to know what amps some of these guys played like the knack, purple etc.

manning1 · 16th June 2004

also in smoke on the water i think its the tension of the change going from C to A flat that gives it the cleverness in the songwriting.

philip · 16th June 2004

the console (deep purple) is actually a neve - Kalle from soundtrack of your lives (http://thesoundtrackofourlives.net) owns it now and it´s actually located 200meters from were I live.

Wiggy Neve Slut · 17th June 2004

Philip.... on a note slightly off the topic i jsut wana say how fcuking kik ass that last TSOOL album was, 'behind the music'..awesome. Im glad a Neve like that will continue to make some great music!

Wiggy

Rusty Cage · 17th June 2004

Ritchie Blackmore's amp of choice was a Marshall 200W Major (no secret he was a volume freak).

While I was Googling for the amp name, I came across a German website that may have some information of interest here...

www.rockhard.de

I love web translators... Accept's "Balls To The Wall" with guitarist Wolf Hoffmann becomes "Accept: BALL TON OF THE BARRIER Guitarist: Wolf hoping man"

14th June 2004	#1
manning1 Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: canada Posts: 3,998 Thread Starter	my favorite albums - anyone know engineering details ? deep purple - machine head frampton comes alive Dire straits sultans album acdc hits cheap trick hits The knack first album get the knack. great guitar players. these are just a few of my favorite albums that i like to play along to on a dreary day and crank up my amplifier if i'm feeling down sometimes. i think ive learnt every lick on every song on these. and even i like the old andy williams hit music to watch girls go by. interesting use of minors and key changes. in fact i never get sick of playing these songs no matter how many times i play them which makes them legendary in my book. anyone know how some of these were done ? engineered ? details ? thnx. technical curiosity.

15th June 2004	#9
Drumsound Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bloomington Il Posts: 5,032	You've got a lifetime to write your first record and 3 months to write your second... Check the Mix archives. I know they did a "Classic Tracks" on Dream Police. Probably some of the others you've mentioned as well. __________________ Tony Oxide Lounge Recording See the Oxide Lounge! Follow me on TWITTER! WWJMD? Come see me on the Tape Op boards! It's only inches on the reel to reel

17th June 2004	#15
Wiggy Neve Slut Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 2,194	Philip.... on a note slightly off the topic i jsut wana say how fcuking kik ass that last TSOOL album was, 'behind the music'..awesome. Im glad a Neve like that will continue to make some great music! Wiggy __________________ If i see another 'Which neve clone is better thread... im seriously gona go postal!!!!!!!"

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14th June 2004	#2
MJGreene Audio Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: The Land Behind The Zion Curtain Posts: 1,119	Deep Purples Machine Head: Recorded if I remember correctly in Switzerland in an old hotel with the Rolling Stones mobile. That I think means a Helios console. Pictures I have seen show a bunch of U-67s for acoustic gtr's, vocals, and as drum overheads. The drums look like they were cut in a very tight hallway with the walls only a few inches from the drums. Looks like maybe KM-56's on toms and I am not sure what on Kick and Snare. Lots of vibe and great players with great sounding touch and instruments. (In my mind really the key to any great recording even if you use a bunch of Radio Shack Hi Balls) Doesn't hurt that they had great mics and a great console not to mention a great engineering staff. I found this on the web: "This album was written and recorded in Montreux, Switzerland, between 6th and 21st December, 1971," and much of it sounds like it was conceived on the fly, what with deathless lines like "You're lazy you just stay in bed/You don't want no money/You don't want no bread." There's even trials getting Machine Head recorded: it seemed that some local arsonist burned down the best recording studio in town but luckily the Rolling Stones' mobile unit was on hand to get the new D. Purple out on schedule. " Still a great album with great tones.

14th June 2004	#5
danalexander Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 36	I have to say that imho, to call helios #2 "a great console" is a bit off. the great sounds on these records originated in the hands and instruments of the players. had smoke on the water been done on an old neve, like most of the old ac/dc classics, it might possibly have sounded better....however, even if it had been recorded on a wollensack, it still would have been a great performance of an unavoidable hit song.....dan alexander

15th June 2004	#8
enharmonic Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: 410 Posts: 603	Bands and first albums...hmmm...a lot of times, a band is working the material that is their first album for a good long time...then BAM...they get signed, the record drops, and it's out on the whirlwind tour. When they get back home, they realize that the record company wants that next album in 6-8 months. Unless there's a prolific writer or writers in that band, it's just not gonna happen the way that first album did. just my .02

16th June 2004	#10
manning1 Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: canada Posts: 3,998 Thread Starter	yeh, once your a known revenue stream everyone wants more and more....explains a lot........

16th June 2004	#11
Rusty Cage Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: St Kilda, Melbourne Posts: 110	Machine Head is documented fairly well in the "Smoke On The Water" lyrics... the "Grand Hotel" with the RS mobile. I can't get over how many great albums that thing's on. LZ IV for instance... Yeah, that's gotta be a U67 Ian Gillan's singing into. I think most of the early AC/DC stuff was recorded on the Neve 2408 at Alberts in Sydney - now installed at Hothouse in Melbourne. Definitely "Dirty Deeds", as well as some Midnight Oil and Rose Tattoo. At least one guy on these boards has spent a lot of time in front of that desk, and would know a lot more about its history than I do.

16th June 2004	#14
philip Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 453	the console (deep purple) is actually a neve - Kalle from soundtrack of your lives (http://thesoundtrackofourlives.net) owns it now and it´s actually located 200meters from were I live.