Thom Yorke Vocal Chain

[South Brokelyn]

Anyone have any info or thoughts about what the vocal chain was for Thom Yorke on Ok Computer, Kid A or Amnesiac?

[lpkyer]

good question
bump

[peeder]

I don't think it's particularly interesting one...some of the tracks have some distortion added etc. but it sounds to me just like a standard high-end LDC with standard high-end comp and EQ and some fader riding.

It sounds like Mr. Yorke. If you want that sound contact his agent.

[redrue]

I'd be willing to bet a couple hunny that
he's singing into a U47 (amped with a 1073?)
on Exit Music (for a film)...

That rich, lush, huge, full sound is what I get with
my SCA N72 and Wunder CM7... It's
pry-it-from-my-cold-dead-fingers good.

[South Brokelyn]

Originally Posted by peeder

it sounds to me just like a standard high-end LDC with standard high-end comp and EQ and some fader riding.

perhaps... but he has a naturally piercing and high voice, and I wonder if any special mics or mic pres were used to smooth that out.

[commaKaze]

I've definitely seen studio pics of him singing into an SM7, didn't however have details as to what recording session or album.

[Gear Tramp]

He will sound like himself through anything.

He doesn't use the same mic on every album, every song.

[Mike Caffrey]

Do a Google search. There are a few pages with very detailed answers. Someone showed me a few a while back. On some tracks he went through an NT1 and an 1176.

[yeloocproducer]

Sounds like some Roland VP-9000 on his voice (glissando fx) on Kid A.

[South Brokelyn]

Originally Posted by commaKaze

I've definitely seen studio pics of him singing into an SM7

Originally Posted by Mike Caffrey

On some tracks he went through an NT1 and an 1176.

What's the deal with great singers using crappy mics? Sufjan Stevens uses the AT4033, Bjork records into sm58s, Thom York singing into $300 condensers... what's next? Chris Cornell singing into a tape recorder?

Are their engineers purposfully keeping them from sounding "too good"? Is there something to be said for using lower quality mics to make the performer or performance stand out?

[2012]

What's crappy about an SM7 or an SM58?

[roger]

SAD OF REDS - did your ears alert you to the 'crappy' equipment used or are you being an audio snob? pj harvey did a few tracks on her last album singing into a 4 track tape machine - sounded great (a bit noisy but cool vibe)! a great singer will sound like themselves (i.e. great) with just about any gear.

[Nu-tra]

I've seen pics of him singing into a brauner

[Fleaman]

Originally Posted by Sad of Reds

What's the deal with great singers using crappy mics? Sufjan Stevens uses the AT4033, Bjork records into sm58s, Thom York singing into $300 condensers... what's next? Chris Cornell singing into a tape recorder?

Are their engineers purposfully keeping them from sounding "too good"? Is there something to be said for using lower quality mics to make the performer or performance stand out?

What sounds 'too good' on its own and how it sits in the mix are usually 2 different things.

[Halsey]

Originally Posted by 2012

What's crappy about an SM7 or an SM58?

Yeah, the sm7 is great. Although, you need a loud/ quiet mic pre.

[South Brokelyn]

Originally Posted by roger

SAD OF REDS - did your ears alert you to the 'crappy' equipment used or are you being an audio snob? pj harvey did a few tracks on her last album singing into a 4 track tape machine - sounded great (a bit noisy but cool vibe)! a great singer will sound like themselves (i.e. great) with just about any gear.

I agree that those tracks sound great - not crappy at all. And I appologize if I came off snobby. But my question is, if "a great singer will sound like themselves with just about any gear," then why not put them on a higher quality microphone to really make the track shine? I suppose it's a question of the character of the microphone, but with a band like Radiohead, who could afford just about any damn thing they want, I suppose I'm a little surprised to hear that they would choose a NT1 or SM7.

But if it works, it works.

[kedbear]

Do a Google search. There are a few pages with very detailed answers. Someone showed me a few a while back. On some tracks he went through an NT1 and an 1176.

I couldn't find any info. Can you show me where, or what to type into google to get it?
thanks

[picksail]

Originally Posted by Sad of Reds

... but with a band like Radiohead, who could afford just about any damn thing they want, I suppose I'm a little surprised to hear that they would choose a NT1 or SM7.

This is a testament to the intrinsic quality of certain mics/gear and how they relate to real-world applications.

[Ditherman]

'Vocals were recorded alternately with a Neumann valve 47, and an Australian Rode valve mic, through a Urei 1176 compressor, and a Pultec valve EQ on a few things. "With months of hindsight, I actually think the Australian mic is a bit too bright, but if it's a good performance, that's it. Maybe the vocal sound suffered from the fact that it was occasionally just thrown down, but I don't think so." '

http://www.nigelgodrich.com/press3.htm

[aaronsternke]

In several different videos, I have seen Thom singing into a U47. That makes sense to me... It is soft on the top end and I'd imagine a super bright mic would be too piercing for his voice.

That said, I have to agree with others here... most of his vocals seem pretty pure and straight forward... most of the "oooh" factor comes from the fact that his voice is so beautiful to begin with.

Aaron

[South Brokelyn]

Originally Posted by Ditherman

'Vocals were recorded alternately with a Neumann valve 47, and an Australian Rode valve mic, through a Urei 1176 compressor, and a Pultec valve EQ on a few things. "With months of hindsight, I actually think the Australian mic is a bit too bright, but if it's a good performance, that's it. Maybe the vocal sound suffered from the fact that it was occasionally just thrown down, but I don't think so." '

nigelgodrich.com

thank you for that. Great article.

[Vinrockindie]

Originally Posted by picksail

This is a testament to the intrinsic quality of certain mics/gear and how they relate to real-world applications.

Hear, hear! I second that statement.

[Mike Caffrey]

Originally Posted by Sad of Reds

What's the deal with great singers using crappy mics? Sufjan Stevens uses the AT4033, Bjork records into sm58s, Thom York singing into $300 condensers... what's next? Chris Cornell singing into a tape recorder?

Are their engineers purposfully keeping them from sounding "too good"? Is there something to be said for using lower quality mics to make the performer or performance stand out?

Definte crappy or great?

Isn't a great mic the one that's ideally suited for the source?

The answer to your question probably has to do with masking by other instruments in the mix. You may get an amazing vocal sound out of an expenisve, classic mic, but after it's masked in the mix by the band, it needs a lok of mids to cut through - or a high end and low end roll off. Then it sounds like a "crappy mic" but it's what's needed to sound great/hi-fi in the mix.

[ceichel88]

does anyone have any idea how he got the glitchy vocals on "Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors". Ive tried distortion and cutting the vocals but it doesnt sound as natually glitchy.

video
YouTube - Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors

[ray_subsonic]

Originally Posted by Ditherman

'Vocals were recorded alternately with a Neumann valve 47, and an Australian Rode valve mic, through a Urei 1176 compressor, and a Pultec valve EQ on a few things. "With months of hindsight, I actually think the Australian mic is a bit too bright, but if it's a good performance, that's it. Maybe the vocal sound suffered from the fact that it was occasionally just thrown down, but I don't think so." '

nigelgodrich.com

Yep. I was trying to find the link to this myself. Thanks.

On "OK Computer/Kid A" factor in the sound of Neve consoles (Air & Mayfair) at mixdown as well. A 2" Tape Machine is also part of the equation.

From what I understand, the majority of vocals done on albums since OK Computer and Kid A we're cut using a U47 with an SM7 or the Rode Classic as other possible choices. I also wouldn't rule out the possibility that there might even be other mics as well.

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by ceichel88

does anyone have any idea how he got the glitchy vocals on "Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors". Ive tried distortion and cutting the vocals but it doesnt sound as natually glitchy.

video
YouTube - Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors

offhand i'd guess korg kaoss pad

[ceichel88]

Originally Posted by 3rd world order

offhand i'd guess korg kaoss pad

yea, ive seen them do that with "everything in its right place", but do you think you could get the pulk push sound with a kaoss pad?

[mattg082]

It's widely known he has been seen with a re-20 a lot in studios and even on stage. Can't believe no one has said this yet. No idea what the pre is though.

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by ceichel88

yea, ive seen them do that with "everything in its right place", but do you think you could get the pulk push sound with a kaoss pad?

that's where i'd start... who knows

[monkeyxx]

Originally Posted by Ditherman

'Vocals were recorded alternately with a Neumann valve 47, and an Australian Rode valve mic, through a Urei 1176 compressor, and a Pultec valve EQ on a few things. "With months of hindsight, I actually think the Australian mic is a bit too bright, but if it's a good performance, that's it. Maybe the vocal sound suffered from the fact that it was occasionally just thrown down, but I don't think so." '

nigelgodrich.com

I've been wondering about Thom Yorke's frequent "zingy" vocal sound he gets on a million songs from that era, that super aggressive vocal tone where you can hear the back of his throat, and the spit and snarl. I have been thinking about it a long time, it's very particular. A song like "Exit Music (for a Film)" is a good example. I think a big boost at 10K with that Pulltec might have been part of this. It sounds like two different microphones on this song. There was probably one a bit back in the hallway they were in to get the natural reverb. It's obviously set a lot darker than the one that sounds like it's inside his mouth. "Karma Police" has this sound also on the verses and refrain but not the outro, pointing even more that it is processing at work for this sound.

Maybe that "little too bright Rodes" was part of this on some songs.

Kid A has a very up front air vocal sound, too. I'd like to get closer to the secrets.

If anyone else has information on this particular phenomenon, I'd be more than happy to hear about it. I got a little bit in this direction just now using URS Fulltec EQ with a 10K boost. I can only imagine that a Drip EQP1A would be better, I wonder how much.