The Preamp and reverbs on late '60s Aretha hits (The Weight, et al.)

o--- · 13th October 2005

What are they using on those old recordings?? The reverb on "The Weight" sounds so huge, but it hides out of the way like magic!? It's not the room sound, like you hear so much on these legendary, great recordings.

o--- · 21st October 2005

Does ANYBODY know or have you heard any stories? Bob O.?? Sorry about the painfully bad typing execution of the original thread.

PRobb · 21st October 2005

As with a lot of great singers, I think the key to Aretha's sound was more a matter of mic placement than of mic choice. The key is place the mic in front of Aretha Franklin

dolo · 21st October 2005

back in those time the major studios used plate reverbs an different reverb chambers (actual room with diffrent rverb charactristic). the signal was piped into the room or and recorded.

quick expliantion. hope it helps.

Sharp11 · 21st October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by o---

What are they using on those old recordings?? The reverb on "The Weight" sounds so huge, but it hides out of the way like magic!? It's not the room sound, like you hear so much on these legendary, great recordings.

Here are three great shots from the Aretha sessions - Duane Allman's playing slide, presumably on "the weight".

That's Jerry Jermott on bass.

I LOVE these recordings.

Ed

McPhaul · 21st October 2005

Can't help on the verb, but I would like to say thanks for recommending tonight’s listening material.

God, I love that womans voice.

Thanks
Will

kevinc · 21st October 2005

Gotta be a plate.

max cooper · 21st October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharp11

Here are three great shots from the Aretha sessions - Duane Allman's playing slide, presumably on "the weight".

That's Jerry Jermott on bass.

I LOVE these recordings.

Ed

I bought the two Duane Allman Anthologies on LP the other day; WAAAY cool.

Amplove · 21st October 2005

I'm guessing Ampex or RCA tube tape machines, and U47's or RCA ribbons?

J.

p.s. Duane rules.

Drumsound · 22nd October 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRobb

As with a lot of great singers, I think the key to Aretha's sound was more a matter of mic placement than of mic choice. The key is place the mic in front of Aretha Franklin

Yes sir!

The other key was to not only put the mic in fromt of Aretha Franklin, but to put Aretha Franklin in front of a piano. Tom Dowd used to record her while she played because he thought she performed better that way.

13th October 2005	#1
o--- Gear nut Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 128 Thread Starter	The Preamp and reverbs on late '60s Aretha hits (The Weight, et al.) What are they using on those old recordings?? The reverb on "The Weight" sounds so huge, but it hides out of the way like magic!? It's not the room sound, like you hear so much on these legendary, great recordings.

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21st October 2005	#2
o--- Gear nut Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 128 Thread Starter	Does ANYBODY know or have you heard any stories? Bob O.?? Sorry about the painfully bad typing execution of the original thread.

21st October 2005	#3
PRobb Gear Guru Joined: Jun 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 14,160	As with a lot of great singers, I think the key to Aretha's sound was more a matter of mic placement than of mic choice. The key is place the mic in front of Aretha Franklin

21st October 2005	#4
dolo Gear addict Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Weehawken, NJ Posts: 497	back in those time the major studios used plate reverbs an different reverb chambers (actual room with diffrent rverb charactristic). the signal was piped into the room or and recorded. quick expliantion. hope it helps.

21st October 2005	#6
McPhaul Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 716 1 Review written	Can't help on the verb, but I would like to say thanks for recommending tonight’s listening material. God, I love that womans voice. Thanks Will

21st October 2005	#7
kevinc Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Location: Beantown Posts: 2,462	Gotta be a plate.

21st October 2005	#9
Amplove Gear maniac Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 278	I'm guessing Ampex or RCA tube tape machines, and U47's or RCA ribbons? J. p.s. Duane rules.