Difference between revisions of "Sunset Sound"
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Its development from automotive repair garage to recording studio was achieved by Tutti Camarata (a former director of recording in Walt Disney Company) between 1958-1962. | Its development from automotive repair garage to recording studio was achieved by Tutti Camarata (a former director of recording in Walt Disney Company) between 1958-1962. | ||
− | [[Prince]] made Studio 3 in Sunset Sound his primary location for recordings between 1981 and 1987, when he started using the newly built [[Paisley Park Studios]] in Chanhassen, | + | [[Prince]] made Studio 3 in Sunset Sound his primary location for recordings between 1981 and 1987, when he started using the newly built [[Paisley Park Studios]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota, although he had occasional recording sessions in Sunset Sound at least until 1991. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
---- | ---- | ||
− | Many successful and/or reference albums were recorded in Sunset Sound, from The Doors' Strange Days to Led | + | Many successful and/or reference albums were recorded in Sunset Sound, from The Doors' Strange Days to Led Zeppelin’s IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street. |
While artists such as The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Sly & Family Stone or Sam Cooke would favor Studio 1, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, or Rick James would elect studio 2. [[Prince]] choose to set residence at studio 3 a facility also used by Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. | While artists such as The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Sly & Family Stone or Sam Cooke would favor Studio 1, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, or Rick James would elect studio 2. [[Prince]] choose to set residence at studio 3 a facility also used by Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. | ||
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*[[Album: Around The World In A Day|Around The World In A Day]] | *[[Album: Around The World In A Day|Around The World In A Day]] | ||
*[[Album: Parade|Parade]] | *[[Album: Parade|Parade]] | ||
− | *[[Album: Sign | + | *[[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] |
*[[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] | *[[Album: Graffiti Bridge|Graffiti Bridge]] | ||
*[[Album: The Hits / The B-Sides|The Hits / The B-Sides]] | *[[Album: The Hits / The B-Sides|The Hits / The B-Sides]] | ||
− | *[[Album: The Black Album| | + | *[[Album: The Black Album|''“The Black Album”'']] |
*[[Album: Crystal Ball|Crystal Ball]] | *[[Album: Crystal Ball|Crystal Ball]] | ||
*[[Album: The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale|The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale]] | *[[Album: The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale|The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale]] | ||
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! width="50%" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000;" class="unsortable"|Work produced | ! width="50%" style="border-bottom:1px solid #000;" class="unsortable"|Work produced | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[101]] || 1987 || | + | |[[101]] || 1987 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[17 Days]] || 1984 || Re-recording | |[[17 Days]] || 1984 || Re-recording | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]] || 1986 || | + | |[[2 Nigs United 4 West Compton]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[3 x 2 = 6]] || 1982|| | + | |[[3 x 2 = 6]] || 1982|| |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[4ever]] || 2009 || | + | |[[4ever]] || 2009 || (assumed) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[A Couple Of Miles]] || 1985 || | + | |[[A Couple Of Miles]] || 1985 || and overdubs by [[Eric Leeds]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[A Million Miles (I Love You)]] || 1984 || | + | |[[A Million Miles (I Love You)]] || 1984 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Adore]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Adore]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[All My Dreams]] || 1985 || | + | |[[All My Dreams]] || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[All That]] || 1986 || | + | |[[All That]] || 1986 || (of [[Adore]]) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[All The Critics Love U In New York]] || 1982 || | + | |[[All The Critics Love U In New York]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Annie Christian]] || 1981 || Overdubs, mixing | |[[Annie Christian]] || 1981 || Overdubs, mixing | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Another Lonely Christmas]] || 1983 || | + | |[[Another Lonely Christmas]] || 1983 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Anotherloverholenyohead]] || 1985 || | + | |[[Anotherloverholenyohead]] || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Around The World In A Day]] || 1984 || Demo by David Coleman (no [[Prince]] input) | |[[Around The World In A Day]] || 1984 || Demo by David Coleman (no [[Prince]] input) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Automatic]] || 1982 || | + | |[[Automatic]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Baby Doll House]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Baby Doll House]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Baby Go-Go]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Baby Go-Go]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Baby, | + | |[[Baby, You’re A Trip]] || 1982-1986 || Basic tracking, Mixing |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Blanche]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Blanche]] || 1986 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Blue Limousine]] || 1984 || | + | |[[Blue Limousine]] || 1984 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Bob George]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Bob George]] || 1986 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Bold Generation]] || 1982 || | + | |[[Bold Generation]] || 1982 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Boom, Boom ( | + | |[[Boom, Boom (Can’t U Feel The Beat Of My Heart)]] || 1989 || Additional recording and lead vocal overdubs by Jill Jones |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Boy U Bad]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Boy U Bad]] || 1986 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Boy’s Club]] || 1986 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Breathless]] || 1985 || | + | |[[Breathless]] || 1985 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Can I Play With U?]] || 1985-1986 || | + | |[[Can I Play With U?]] || 1985-1986 || Basic tracking, saxophone overdubs by [[Eric Leeds]], additional recording by [[Prince]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Chili Sauce]] || 1983 || | + | |[[Chili Sauce]] || 1983 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Chocolate]] || 1983 || | + | |[[Chocolate]] || 1983 || Basic tracking, Vocal overdubs by [[Morris Day]] (assumed) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Christopher | + | |[[Christopher Tracy’s Parade]] || 1985 || (as '''Wendy’s Parade''') |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Cloreen Bacon Skin]] || 1983 || | + | |[[Cloreen Bacon Skin]] || 1983 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Colleen]] || 1982 || | + | |[[Colleen]] || 1982 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Colonized Mind]] || 2009 || | + | |[[Colonized Mind]] || 2009 || (assumed) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Come Elektra Tuesday]] || 1985 || | + | |[[Come Elektra Tuesday]] || 1985 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Computer Blue]] || 1983 || | + | |[[Computer Blue]] || 1983 || of re-recording |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Condition Of The Heart]] || 1984 || | + | |[[Condition Of The Heart]] || 1984 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Controversy]] || 1981 || Overdubs, mixing | |[[Controversy]] || 1981 || Overdubs, mixing | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Conversation Piece]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Conversation Piece]] || 1986 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Cookie Jar]] || 1988 || | + | |[[Cookie Jar]] || 1988 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Cosmic Day]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Cosmic Day]] || 1986 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Crimson And Clover]] || 2008 || | + | |[[Crimson And Clover]] || 2008 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Crucial]] || 1986 || Saxophone overdubs by [[Eric Leeds]], Guitar solo overdub (assumed) | |[[Crucial]] || 1986 || Saxophone overdubs by [[Eric Leeds]], Guitar solo overdub (assumed) | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[D.M.S.R.]] || 1982 || | + | |[[D.M.S.R.]] || 1982 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Delirious]] || 1982 || | + | |[[Delirious]] || 1982 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Do Me, Baby]] || 1981 || Overdubs, mixing | |[[Do Me, Baby]] || 1981 || Overdubs, mixing | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |Drawers ([[Little Rock]]) || 1985 || | + | |Drawers ([[Little Rock]]) || 1985 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Dream Factory]] || 1985 || | + | |[[Dream Factory]] || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Drive Me Wild]] || 1983 || Remix | |[[Drive Me Wild]] || 1983 || Remix | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Duet with dad|''Duet with Dad'' (no known title)]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Duet with dad|''Duet with Dad'' (no known title)]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Eight]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Eight]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Emotional Pump]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Emotional Pump]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Erotic City]] || 1983-1984 || | + | |[[Erotic City]] || 1983-1984 || Basic tracking, vocals overdubs by [[Sheila E.]] |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Eternity]] || 1985 || | + | |[[Eternity]] || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Euphoria Highway]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Euphoria Highway]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Everybody Want What They | + | |[[Everybody Want What They Don’t Got]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Evolsidog]] || 1985 || | + | |[[Evolsidog]] || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Extraloveable]] || 1982 || | + | |[[Extraloveable]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Feel U Up]] || 1981 || | |[[Feel U Up]] || 1981 || | ||
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|[[Frustration]] || 1986 || | |[[Frustration]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Fun Love]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[G-Spot]] || 1983 || | |[[G-Spot]] || 1983 || | ||
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|[[Housequake]] || 1986 || | |[[Housequake]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[How Come U | + | |[[How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man]] || 1982 || | |[[I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man]] || 1982 || | ||
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|[[Ice Cream Castles]] || 1984 || | |[[Ice Cream Castles]] || 1984 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[If A Girl Answers ( | + | |[[If A Girl Answers (Don’t Hang Up)]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[If I Could Get Your Attention]] || 1986 || | |[[If I Could Get Your Attention]] || 1986 || | ||
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|[[If I Was Your Girlfriend]] || 1986 || | |[[If I Was Your Girlfriend]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[If | + | |[[If It’ll Make U Happy]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[If The Kid | + | |[[If The Kid Can’t Make You Come]] || 1983 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[In A Large Room With No Light]] || 1986 || | |[[In A Large Room With No Light]] || 1986 || | ||
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|[[Irresistible Bitch]] || 1981 || | |[[Irresistible Bitch]] || 1981 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[It’s A Wonderful Day]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Jack U Off]] || 1981 || | |[[Jack U Off]] || 1981 || | ||
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|[[Junk Music]] || 1986 || | |[[Junk Music]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Killin’ At The Soda Shop]] || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Kiss]] || 1985 || | |[[Kiss]] || 1985 || | ||
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|[[Le Grind]] || 1986 || | |[[Le Grind]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Let’s Pretend We’re Married]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Let’s Work]] || 1981 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Life Can Be So Nice]] || 1985 || | |[[Life Can Be So Nice]] || 1985 || | ||
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|[[Next Time Wipe The Lipstick Off Your Collar]] || 1984 || | |[[Next Time Wipe The Lipstick Off Your Collar]] || 1984 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Nine]] || 1987 || | + | |[[Nine]] || 1987 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
|[[No Call U]] || 1982 || | |[[No Call U]] || 1982 || | ||
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|[[Old Friends 4 Sale]] || 1985 || | |[[Old Friends 4 Sale]] || 1985 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Oliver’s House]] || 1984 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[One]] || 1986 || | |[[One]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[One Day ( | + | |[[One Day (I’m Gonna Make You Mine)]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Ooo She She Wa Wa]] || 1984 || | |[[Ooo She She Wa Wa]] || 1984 || | ||
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|[[Polka-Dot Tiger]] || 1985 || | |[[Polka-Dot Tiger]] || 1985 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Ponyride]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Pop Life]] || 1984 || | |[[Pop Life]] || 1984 || | ||
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|[[Rebirth Of The Flesh]] || 1986 || | |[[Rebirth Of The Flesh]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Rescue Me]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Rescue Me]] || 1986 || Basic tracking |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Rockhard In A Funky Place]] || 1986 || | |[[Rockhard In A Funky Place]] || 1986 || | ||
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|[[Romance 1600]] || 1985 || | |[[Romance 1600]] || 1985 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Ronnie Talk To Russia]] || 1981 || | + | |[[Ronnie, Talk To Russia]] || 1981 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Rough]] || 1985 || | |[[Rough]] || 1985 || | ||
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|[[She Pony]] || 1985 || | |[[She Pony]] || 1985 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[She’s Always In My Hair]] || 1983 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Shockadelica]] || 1986 || | |[[Shockadelica]] || 1986 || | ||
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|[[Shortberry Strawcake]] || 1984 || | |[[Shortberry Strawcake]] || 1984 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Sign | + | |[[Sign O’ The Times]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Six]] || 1986 || | |[[Six]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Six And 1/2]] || 1986 || | + | |[[Six And 1/2]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Slaughterhouse]] || 1985 || | |[[Slaughterhouse]] || 1985 || | ||
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|[[Telepathy]] || 1986 || | |[[Telepathy]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[The Beautiful Ones]] || 1983 || | + | |[[The Beautiful Ones]] || 1983 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[The Belle Of St. Mark]] || 1984 || | + | |[[The Belle Of St. Mark]] || 1984 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[The Bird]] || 1984 || | + | |[[The Bird]] || 1984 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[The Cross]] || 1986 || | + | |[[The Cross]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[The Glamorous Life]] || 1983-1984 || | + | |[[The Glamorous Life]] || 1983-1984 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[The Question Of U]] || 1985 || | + | |[[The Question Of U]] || 1985 || of 12 Keys (instrumental version of The Question Of U) |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[The Walk]] || 1982 || | + | |[[The Walk]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[There’s Something I Like About Being Your Fool]] || 1981 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Three]] || 1986 || | |[[Three]] || 1986 || | ||
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|[[U Gotta Shake Something]] || 1985 || | |[[U Gotta Shake Something]] || 1985 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[U Just | + | |[[U Just Can’t Stop]] || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Under The Cherry Moon]] || 1985 || | |[[Under The Cherry Moon]] || 1985 || | ||
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|[[Voodoo Who]] || 1985 || | |[[Voodoo Who]] || 1985 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Walkin’ In Glory]] || 1986 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Wall Of Berlin]] || 2008 || | |[[Wall Of Berlin]] || 2008 || | ||
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|[[We Can Funk]] || 1983 || | |[[We Can Funk]] || 1983 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[Christopher | + | |[[Christopher Tracy’s Parade|Wendy’s Parade]] (Christopher Tracy’s Parade) || 1985 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[When Doves Cry]] || 1984 || | |[[When Doves Cry]] || 1984 || | ||
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|[[Witness 4 The Prosecution]] || 1986 || | |[[Witness 4 The Prosecution]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me?]] || 1976 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[XYZ]] || 1987 || | |[[XYZ]] || 1987 || | ||
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|[[Yo Mister]] || 1986 || | |[[Yo Mister]] || 1986 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[You’re All I Want]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
− | |[[ | + | |[[You’re My Love]] || 1982 || |
|- | |- | ||
|[[Zebra With The Blonde Hair]] || 1985 || | |[[Zebra With The Blonde Hair]] || 1985 || | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
---- | ---- | ||
− | *The string section on [[Purple Rain]] was recorded at Sunset | + | *The string section on [[Purple Rain]] was recorded at Sunset Sound’s Studio 3 by David Leonard who used a pair of Telefunken 251 microphones to recorded violins while a Neumann U47 was used on the cello. |
− | *While working in the studio on [[Album: Sign | + | *While working in the studio on [[Album: Sign O’ The Times|Sign O’ The Times]] material, [[Prince]] has been reported to have used the following material at Sunset Sound, wired through the 32 x 24 x 8 API-DeMedio console console to the Studer A-800 recorder. |
** '''Piano & Synthesizers''': | ** '''Piano & Synthesizers''': | ||
*** Upright piano | *** Upright piano | ||
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*** Yamaha DX-7 | *** Yamaha DX-7 | ||
*** Ensoniq Mirage | *** Ensoniq Mirage | ||
− | *** Roland GR-700 (a guitar synth) with a Roland Jazz Chorus-120 | + | *** Roland GR-700 (a guitar synth) with a Roland Jazz Chorus-120 a.m.p. |
**'''Drums''': | **'''Drums''': | ||
*** LM-1 Linndrum machine. | *** LM-1 Linndrum machine. | ||
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<small> | <small> | ||
* [http://www.sunsetsound.com/ Sunset Sound official website] | * [http://www.sunsetsound.com/ Sunset Sound official website] | ||
− | * [http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/classic-tracks-prince-revolution-purple-rain/index1.html '''Classic Tracks: Prince and the | + | * [http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/classic-tracks-prince-revolution-purple-rain/index1.html '''Classic Tracks: Prince and the Revolution’s "Purple Rain"''' ''By Dan Daley'' (Mix - 1 January 2009)] |
− | * [http://www.gearslutz.com/board/rap-hip-hop-engineering-production/329698-those-80s-prince-drum-perc-sounds-2.html Gear Slutz (forum): Those | + | * [http://www.gearslutz.com/board/rap-hip-hop-engineering-production/329698-those-80s-prince-drum-perc-sounds-2.html Gear Slutz (forum): Those 80’s / Prince drum and percussion sounds] |
* [http://www.gearslutz.com/board/rap-hip-hop-engineering-production/331403-prince-production-thread.html Gear Slutz (forum): Prince Production thread] | * [http://www.gearslutz.com/board/rap-hip-hop-engineering-production/331403-prince-production-thread.html Gear Slutz (forum): Prince Production thread] | ||
</small> | </small> |
Revision as of 10:14, 2 October 2020
Sunset Sound
Its development from automotive repair garage to recording studio was achieved by Tutti Camarata (a former director of recording in Walt Disney Company) between 1958-1962.
Prince made Studio 3 in Sunset Sound his primary location for recordings between 1981 and 1987, when he started using the newly built Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota, although he had occasional recording sessions in Sunset Sound at least until 1991.
History
Many successful and/or reference albums were recorded in Sunset Sound, from The Doors' Strange Days to Led Zeppelin’s IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street.
While artists such as The Rolling Stones, Miles Davis, Sly & Family Stone or Sam Cooke would favor Studio 1, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, or Rick James would elect studio 2. Prince choose to set residence at studio 3 a facility also used by Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac.
Studios
Prince has recorded in Studio 3 only.
The below equipment is the one currently available at Sunset Sound.
Studio 3
Rooms
- Control Room: 21'x16'x10'
- Performance Area: 38'x18'x12'
- Piano Room: 15'x9'x9.5'
- Iso Room #1: 15'x6'x8'
- Vocal Booth: 16'x14'x8.5'
Console
- 32 x 24 x 8 API-DeMedio-Sunset Sound Custom Console
- 32 inputs / 24 Channel Monitor Section / 8 buss / 8 Echo returns
- 40 inputs available w/ 8 Channel sidecar console.
- API 550-A Equalizer Section (all Modules)
Tape Machines
- Studer A-800 and A-820 or A-827 24-trk
- Ampex ATR-100 2trk
- Alesis MasterLink
- Panasonic DAT
- Otari or HHB CD Recorders
- (2) TimeLine Lynx Synchronizers
Monitors
- JBL/TAD Augspurger-designed 3-way bi-amp Custom Arrays
- Yamaha NS-10M, Auratone T-6
Gear
- (1) AMS RMX-16 Stereo Digital Reverberation System
- (1) AMS DMX-1580s Delay/Harmonizer Unit
- (1) Roland SDE-3000A Digital Delay
- (1) Yamaha Rev-5 (programmable studio reverb and digital effects processor)
- (1) Lexicon PCM-70 (programmable digital effects processor)
- (1) Lexicon PT-11
- (1) Eventide H-3000se Ultra-harmonizer Unit
- (2) Urei 1176-LN Compressor Pre-Amp (LN stands for low noise)
- (4) Kepex II Compressor/Limiter
- (1) Drawmer DS-201 Dual Noise Gate
- (2) DBX-160XT Compressor
- (1) Yamaha SPX-90 II Digital Multi Effects Processor
- (2) Distressors¹
Material Produced
Albums
The following albums have been recorded in Sunset Sound in whole or partially. Check album pages for details.
Prince:
- Controversy
- 1999
- Purple Rain
- Around The World In A Day
- Parade
- Sign O’ The Times
- Graffiti Bridge
- The Hits / The B-Sides
- “The Black Album”
- Crystal Ball
- The Vault... Old Friends 4 Sale
- Lotusflow3r
Associated Artists:
- Vanity 6: Vanity 6
- Deborah Allen: Telepathy
- The Time: What Time Is It?
- Sheena Easton: A Private Heaven
- The Time: Ice Cream Castle
- Apollonia 6: Apollonia 6
- Various Artists: Krush Groove
- Sheila E.: Romance 1600
- The Bangles: Different Light
- Sheila E.: Sheila E.
- Various Artists: Bright Lights, Big City
- Eric Leeds: Times Squared
- Dale: Riot In English
- The Time: Pandemonium
- Sheena Easton: The Lover In Me
- Patti Labelle: Be Yourself
- Carmen Electra: Carmen Electra
Songs
The following songs have been recorded and / or mixed in Sunset Sound.
Trivia
- The string section on Purple Rain was recorded at Sunset Sound’s Studio 3 by David Leonard who used a pair of Telefunken 251 microphones to recorded violins while a Neumann U47 was used on the cello.
- While working in the studio on Sign O’ The Times material, Prince has been reported to have used the following material at Sunset Sound, wired through the 32 x 24 x 8 API-DeMedio console console to the Studer A-800 recorder.
- Piano & Synthesizers:
- Upright piano
- Oberheim OB-Xa or SX
- Yamaha DX-7
- Ensoniq Mirage
- Roland GR-700 (a guitar synth) with a Roland Jazz Chorus-120 a.m.p.
- Drums:
- LM-1 Linndrum machine.
- Yamaha drum kit.
- Other Gear:
- Boss pedal board.
- Neumann U 87 microphone (for vocals).
- Piano & Synthesizers:
References
- Sunset Sound official website
- Classic Tracks: Prince and the Revolution’s "Purple Rain" By Dan Daley (Mix - 1 January 2009)
- Gear Slutz (forum): Those 80’s / Prince drum and percussion sounds
- Gear Slutz (forum): Prince Production thread
¹ The Distressor is an automatic gain (or volume) control device (AGC in engineering terms) designed for pro audio (music) applications. Read more about distressors: http://www.empiricallabs.com/distdes.html