Rihanna - Loud(super clear vox)

[shaneoconnor]

everyone on the session used sterile gloves. it made for a clean vocal sound.

[swankdoc]

Hate to think what Bon Scott used for "Dirty Deeds"

Sorry to the OP.
I wish I knew; I agree beautiful vocals.
I just did a CD with a female singer that has such a pure voice - so Karen Carpenter like. Just pure, clear, golden.
I tracked her with a soundelux 250
Mixed no EQ through a trakker to chip the transients into a Retro Sta for the up front stability.

Perfect if I dont say so myself.
Also, as said in so many threads, the room makes a big difference.
Need a good sounding room for good sounding anything.

[burst]

Rihanna's vocals for California King Bed were recorded at my place in Milwaukee, Burst HQ.

We thought they were also working on Cheers (Drink To That) that evening, but we weren't credited on that song so who knows? Maybe they redid those tracks, maybe we got skipped in the credits.

IIRC, her vocal chain was Tele 251 > 1073 > STC-8 > HEDD, and Kuk Harrell raved about her vocal sound from our studio at the end of the session that night as well as when I ran into him in LA months later... so that put a smile on my face.

[etrella]

Originally Posted by burst

Rihanna's vocals for California King Bed were recorded at my place in Milwaukee, Burst HQ.

We thought they were also working on Cheers (Drink To That) that evening, but we weren't credited on that song so who knows? Maybe they redid those tracks, maybe we got skipped in the credits.

IIRC, her vocal chain was Tele 251 > 1073 > STC-8 > HEDD, and Kuk Harrell raved about her vocal sound from our studio at the end of the session that night as well as when I ran into him in LA months later... so that put a smile on my face.

Ill be raving about my vocals too with a chain like that ...congrats thumbsup

[tharemedy]

Originally Posted by burst

Rihanna's vocals for California King Bed were recorded at my place in Milwaukee, Burst HQ.

We thought they were also working on Cheers (Drink To That) that evening, but we weren't credited on that song so who knows? Maybe they redid those tracks, maybe we got skipped in the credits.

IIRC, her vocal chain was Tele 251 > 1073 > STC-8 > HEDD, and Kuk Harrell raved about her vocal sound from our studio at the end of the session that night as well as when I ran into him in LA months later... so that put a smile on my face.

Awesome, thanks. Yea. Very great sound on that track as well.

[peeweedrummer]

Originally Posted by burst

Tele 251 > 1073 > STC-8 > HEDD,

drooling!!! cant wait to get a nice 251 one day

[geareyes]

Pee,

If the need arises, when you determine you have a worthwhile vocalist and song, you are welcome to borrow an original thats here.

Mike

[peeweedrummer]

Originally Posted by geareyes

Pee,

If the need arises, when you determine you have a worthwhile vocalist and song, you are welcome to borrow an original thats here.

Mike

Thanks dude,will keep that in mind.

I now own origami so if there is anything u need let me know dude.

cheers Steve.

[ssprod19]

@burst - nice chain thumbsup

[burst]

Originally Posted by ssprod19

@burst - nice chain thumbsup

thanks! though the 251 was hers. we've got some nice mics, of course, but that thing was a beaut. thumbsup

[ssprod19]

^ just curious.. was it vintage or re-issue?

[s12512]

in a session now gettin a song mixed and we just used that for reference. 1st time hearing it. Incredible vocals! goin to get the album when my song is dun! vocals r very clear and sit very well. Incredible sounding album!

[burst]

@ssprod19 : vintage.

[jonnymac]

Originally Posted by burst

Rihanna's vocals for California King Bed were recorded at my place in Milwaukee, Burst HQ.

We thought they were also working on Cheers (Drink To That) that evening, but we weren't credited on that song so who knows? Maybe they redid those tracks, maybe we got skipped in the credits.

IIRC, her vocal chain was Tele 251 > 1073 > STC-8 > HEDD, and Kuk Harrell raved about her vocal sound from our studio at the end of the session that night as well as when I ran into him in LA months later... so that put a smile on my face.

did you use any of the digital processing in the HEDD? or go for transparent?

[CodyD]

Burst... What's she like as a performer in the studio? Is there much tuning that happens... Does she nail it out in the first few takes? Great person/personality to work with? Lots of alcohol, lol?

[Spike]

I don't like talking much in detail about sessions that I've worked on, but... Rhianna is a total professional. Assisted the cut of one of her big hits, she nailed it in a ridiculously short amount of time, she knows what she's doing in terms of conveying emotion through her singing and that's why she is where she is. Super nice in person too, nothing bad to say about her. Her preferred engineer also has great ears and knows how to get the best out of her... when you combine a great artist with a great support team you know you're gonna get hits. Nuff said

[burst]

Yep... what Spike said.

@CodyD... if I discuss the details of any particular session we host, I'd lose all credibility and the prospect of hosting any other legit talent. Just won't do it. I will say this: we'd happily have her, and her kickass crew, back to Burst any time at all. And the track(s) they got at my place speak for themselves.

@jonnymac... I am unsure of their final choices with actual equipment settings, I just know what the signal chain ended up being.

[andonwego]

Burst,

What's Kuk Harrell's working style? To the degree you're comfortable saying anything.

[burst]

Originally Posted by andonwego

Burst,

What's Kuk Harrell's working style? To the degree you're comfortable saying anything.

Friendly, professional, comfortable and easy going. Her whole crew had an amazing work ethic and got great results.

[andonwego]

Cool!

[CodyD]

thanks spike and burst!

[CJ1973]

Thanks folks. Very inspiring. Top sound too.
Curious to know about the whole vocal chain thing. Was the 251 Vintage or new USA model? Also, do you know of other chains she typically goes with, especially if she carries her own Tele?

Thanks immensely!

[tobias schuch]

Originally Posted by burst

@ssprod19 : vintage.

vintage!

kudos to you guys who have worked with her, i absolutely looooove her vocal sound and delivery/performance!

[doubledecker]

Rihanna has got one of those loud and clear voices with perfect frequency range that cuts through in the mix no matter what.
I call it a voice with aural exciter built in.
I have recorded 2 singers that had that "EQ and compression included" sound to their voice, one of them was Jocelyn Brown.
It doesn't really matter what microphone you use or what preamp you hook up.
Most of the time you don't need any processing afterwards.
She always sounds like that regardless of the studio and gear.
It's all in the voice.
I can hear the same sound from Rihanna.

I am only saying this for guys who think that vintage or not vintage tube has big influence over that sound.
It doesn't.