CCR/ Black Sabbath Vocal Sound?

[skimask]

There are two vocal sounds I absolutely love, and have been fascinated with for a long time, however, when I try to research them and find out what was actually used to achieve them, nobody ever knows. So I figured I would ask here. The vocal sounds in question are 1. The Creedence Clearwater Revival as heard on "Green River" or "Bad Moon Rising" and 2. Black Sabbath as heard on "Paranoid". Can anybody tell me what was used? Some people say an old Fender reverb, som say actual tape delay. So- does anybody know what gear was used on these recordings, anything from the mixing desk to the tape machines to the effects, processing, microphones?

[Bob Olhsson]

CCR was recorded at Wally Heider Recording in San Francisco. They used an AMPEX AG-440 for tape slap. They also had several small live chambers and a couple EMT plates. This was pretty much all that ANY studio had at the time.

[7rojo7]

What about the signal chain, does anyone know? Another sound that I like is the early Wailers, I saw Catch a Fire recently and at the rehearsal and tracking sessions they used the same mic on everything, they looked like AKG C28's, but I'm not sure, anyone know? Sessions were sure cool in those days, Big studio monitors and such.

[Bob Olhsson]

It was a de Medio console using UREI fixed gain amplifiers with Frank's mike pads. They had 1176s and a variety of outboard eq. including UREI and Pultecs. Recorders were all 3M with the 440s only used for delay. I think most of the CCR stuff was 16 track. The engineer was Russ Gary who had left by the time I got there.

[skimask]

Originally posted by 7rojo7
What about the signal chain, does anyone know? Another sound that I like is the early Wailers, I saw Catch a Fire recently and at the rehearsal and tracking sessions they used the same mic on everything, they looked like AKG C28's, but I'm not sure, anyone know? Sessions were sure cool in those days, Big studio monitors and such.

I also love the early Bob Marley stuff Lee Scratch Perry did with his "lo-fi" equipment!

It's great getting answers from people who actually knew some of the people who worked on these classic recordings!

[djui5]

Originally posted by skimask
I also love the early Bob Marley stuff Lee Scratch Perry did with his "lo-fi" equipment!

That guy's crazy...

[skimask]

Originally posted by djui5
That guy's crazy...

He certainly is! Probably partially responsible for his ability to conjure such amazing souunds...I love his "Return of The Super Ape" album- exquisite beauty...

[7rojo7]

that ain't lo fi
that's hi fi you's talkin' 'bout

[Absolute]

I think they recorded the Black Sabbath track right through Ozzys ass.

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

It was a de Medio console using UREI fixed gain amplifiers with Frank's mike pads. They had 1176s and a variety of outboard eq. including UREI and Pultecs. Recorders were all 3M with the 440s only used for delay. I think most of the CCR stuff was 16 track. The engineer was Russ Gary who had left by the time I got there.

Man, this place is seething with information. Yeah!

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Absolute

I think they recorded the Black Sabbath track right through Ozzys ass.

Direct, eh?

War

[3rd world order]

Originally Posted by skimask

I also love the early Bob Marley stuff Lee Scratch Perry did with his "lo-fi" equipment!

ITB - mixing in the box, internally, digital summing
OTB - mixing outside of the box, externally, analog summing

ITP - mixing in the pipe, mixing with Jah

[Rustle]

Originally Posted by skimask

There are two vocal sounds I absolutely love, and have been fascinated with for a long time, however, when I try to research them and find out what was actually used to achieve them, nobody ever knows. So I figured I would ask here. The vocal sounds in question are 1. The Creedence Clearwater Revival as heard on "Green River" or "Bad Moon Rising" and 2. Black Sabbath as heard on "Paranoid". Can anybody tell me what was used? Some people say an old Fender reverb, som say actual tape delay. So- does anybody know what gear was used on these recordings, anything from the mixing desk to the tape machines to the effects, processing, microphones?

John Fogerty sang the vocals on Green River and Commotion through a Shure SM56. A Neumann U47 was used for his vocals thereafter.
Russ

[xj32]

Excuse my ignorance...

Bob, I know you worked at Motown...did you do sessions at Wally's too? If so which ones?

XJ

[idylldon]

Originally Posted by Rustle

John Fogerty sang the vocals on Green River and Commotion through a Shure SM56. A Neumann U47 was used for his vocals thereafter.
Russ

I'm assuming you're Russ Gary? Thanks for weighing in. Any further info on CCR sessions would be welcomed greatly.

Cheers,
--
Don

[BudgetMC]

Originally Posted by Rustle

John Fogerty sang the vocals on Green River and Commotion through a Shure SM56. A Neumann U47 was used for his vocals thereafter.
Russ

Do tell. Commotion always was one of my favorite CCR tracks... and I like damn near every one of them.

Hats off to you, Sir.

[Rustle]

Originally Posted by idylldon

I'm assuming you're Russ Gary? Thanks for weighing in. Any further info on CCR sessions would be welcomed greatly.

Cheers,
--
Don

You might enjoy the info at www.wallyheider.com

Along with others sharing photos and stories about Wally Heider, I've contributed articles and photos to the site regarding my time employed at Wally's Studios in Hollywood as well as my tenure at Heider's San Francisco operation.
Russ