Question for Tony - Highway to Hell

[MartianRec]

Hello Tony,

It's great to see you here!

I don't know if I've listened to any albums more than "Highway to Hell" or
"Back in Black". Great songs, great performance, great recordings.

I have always thought these two records were sonically equal - but quite different in sound. Aside from the obvious (Bon and Brian) can you recall any differences in recording that make - me hear - "B in B" sounding a little darker and "H to H" a little warmer.

P.S. I began micing guitar cabs with two large condensors after reading
you did with "Back in Black". It's great to get tips from the best in the biz.

Darcy

[desol]

Wow...awesome. Highway to hell is my favorite rock album!

Tony, thank you so much for doing this!

I am totally interested as to what was used on this record.

D.

[Tony Platt]

I often find the world is divided with those who prefer H to H and those who prefer B in B!

They were recorded in different ways. I didn't actually record H to H - it was done in Roundhouse Studios which was very dead so there was no spill between the instruments. As a result when I came to mix it I needed to create the impression of the room and fed drums and guitars through speakers into Studio 2 at Basing Street.

I was quite pleased with the results but when I was asked to record B in B this led me to make sure I had plenty of controlled spill to help blend the instruments.

I'm not sure I would describe B in B as darker or H to H as warmer so I am not sure what you mean? I think h to H is perhaps lighter than B in B?

The two microphone thing came about because I wanted to spread the guitars more without pushing them too loud.

Thanks for the compliments!

[desol]

[quote=Tony Platt;1315096]

As a result when it came to mix it I needed to create the impression of the room and fed drums and guitars through speakers into Studio 2 at Basing Street.

QUOTE]



Neat...it worked well...


I do prefer the original line-up...but everything since has been great too.


D.

[MartianRec]

Originally Posted by Tony Platt

I often find the world is divided with those who prefer H to H and those who prefer B in B!

They were recorded in different ways. I didn't actually record H to H - it was done in Roundhouse Studios which was very dead so there was no spill between the instruments. As a result when I came to mix it I needed to create the impression of the room and fed drums and guitars through speakers into Studio 2 at Basing Street.

I was quite pleased with the results but when I was asked to record B in B this led me to make sure I had plenty of controlled spill to help blend the instruments.

I'm not sure I would describe B in B as darker or H to H as warmer so I am not sure what you mean? I think h to H is perhaps lighter than B in B?

The two microphone thing came about because I wanted to spread the guitars more without pushing them too loud.

Thanks for the compliments!

Tony, I went back and gave those two records a listen after your reply
and it is interesting to listen with a knew perspective.

Maybe darker, warmer is not the best description. H to H is as you say maybe lighter or more compact sounding.

I love em both, though B in B may be a little more timeless in sound to my ears - it never comes across as having a time stamp.

Thanks for the reply! I've got a couple more Q's coming.

Darcy

[desol]

Hi Tony!

Tony, i need more. lol

Are there any other little tid-bits you could share about the mixing of highway to hell? Any other thoughts, insights, gear used.... Maybe what board it was mixed on? It doesn't sound like there was a whole lot of compression used.

Thanks Tony,

D.

[Tony Platt]

Originally Posted by desol

Hi Tony!

Tony, i need more. lol

Are there any other little tid-bits you could share about the mixing of highway to hell? Any other thoughts, insights, gear used.... Maybe what board it was mixed on? It doesn't sound like there was a whole lot of compression used.

Thanks Tony,

D.

Well it was mixed on a Helios console which had some F760 compressors built in but no not much compression used. I really only had the EMT 140 plates, EMT DDL, tape delay, some Eventide gear, 1176. It was the same room and board where I mixed Catch A Fire.

I used some Altec monitors to feed stuff back into the studio and create more ambience.

Sorry - not much more to tell!

Tony

[desol]

That's excellent. Once again...great job!

Thanks Tony,

D.