Difference between revisions of "Sunset Sound"

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==History==
 
==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.  
+
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 O' The Times|Sign O' The Times]]
+
*[[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|''"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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|[[Baby Go-Go]] || 1986 ||  
 
|[[Baby Go-Go]] || 1986 ||  
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Baby, You're A Trip]] || 1982-1986 || Basic tracking, Mixing
+
|[[Baby, You’re A Trip]] || 1982-1986 || Basic tracking, Mixing
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Blanche]] || 1986 || Basic tracking
 
|[[Blanche]] || 1986 || Basic tracking
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|[[Bold Generation]] || 1982 || Basic tracking
 
|[[Bold Generation]] || 1982 || Basic tracking
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Boom, Boom (Can't U Feel The Beat Of My Heart)]] || 1989 || Additional recording and lead vocal overdubs by Jill Jones
+
|[[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 || Basic tracking
 
|[[Boy U Bad]] || 1986 || Basic tracking
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Boy's Club]] || 1986 || Basic tracking
+
|[[Boy’s Club]] || 1986 || Basic tracking
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Breathless]] || 1985 || Basic tracking
 
|[[Breathless]] || 1985 || Basic tracking
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|[[Chocolate]] || 1983 || Basic tracking, Vocal overdubs by [[Morris Day]] (assumed)
 
|[[Chocolate]] || 1983 || Basic tracking, Vocal overdubs by [[Morris Day]] (assumed)
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Christopher Tracy's Parade]] || 1985 || (as '''Wendy's Parade''')
+
|[[Christopher Tracy’s Parade]] || 1985 || (as '''Wendy’s Parade''')
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Cloreen Bacon Skin]] || 1983 ||  
 
|[[Cloreen Bacon Skin]] || 1983 ||  
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|[[Euphoria Highway]] || 1986 ||  
 
|[[Euphoria Highway]] || 1986 ||  
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Everybody Want What They Don't Got]] || 1986 ||  
+
|[[Everybody Want What They Don’t Got]] || 1986 ||  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Evolsidog]] || 1985 ||  
 
|[[Evolsidog]] || 1985 ||  
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|[[Housequake]] || 1986 ||
 
|[[Housequake]] || 1986 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore]] || 1982 ||
+
|[[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 (Don't Hang Up)]] || 1982 ||
+
|[[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 It'll Make U Happy]] || 1982 ||
+
|[[If It’ll Make U Happy]] || 1982 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[If The Kid Can't Make You Come]] || 1983 ||
+
|[[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 A Wonderful Day]] || 1986 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Night]] || 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 ||
+
|[[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 Pretend We’re Married]] || 1982 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Let's Work]] || 1981 ||
+
|[[Let’s Work]] || 1981 ||
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Life Can Be So Nice]] || 1985 ||
 
|[[Life Can Be So Nice]] || 1985 ||
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|[[Old Friends 4 Sale]] || 1985 ||
 
|[[Old Friends 4 Sale]] || 1985 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Oliver's House]] || 1984 ||
+
|[[Oliver’s House]] || 1984 ||
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[One]] || 1986 ||
 
|[[One]] || 1986 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[One Day (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)]] || 1986 ||
+
|[[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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|[[She Pony]] || 1985 ||
 
|[[She Pony]] || 1985 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[She's Always In My Hair]] || 1983 ||
+
|[[She’s Always In My Hair]] || 1983 ||
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Shockadelica]] || 1986 ||
 
|[[Shockadelica]] || 1986 ||
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|[[Shortberry Strawcake]] || 1984 ||
 
|[[Shortberry Strawcake]] || 1984 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[Sign O' The Times]] || 1986 ||
+
|[[Sign O’ The Times]] || 1986 ||
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Six]] || 1986 ||
 
|[[Six]] || 1986 ||
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|[[The Walk]] || 1982 ||  
 
|[[The Walk]] || 1982 ||  
 
|-
 
|-
|[[There's Something I Like About Being Your Fool]] || 1981 ||
+
|[[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 Can't Stop]] || 1985 ||
+
|[[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 ||
+
|[[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 Tracy's Parade|Wendy's Parade]] (Christopher Tracy's Parade) || 1985 ||  
+
|[[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 ||
+
|[[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 All I Want]] || 1982 ||
 
|-
 
|-
|[[You're My Love]] || 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 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.
+
*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 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.
+
*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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<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 Revolution's "Purple Rain"''' ''By Dan Daley'' (Mix - 1 January 2009)]  
+
* [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 80's / Prince drum and percussion sounds]
+
* [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


Photo credit: ©2011 LookingForJanis (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lookingforjanis/)

Sunset Sound is a 3 studios facility based in Hollywood (6650 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, California 90028), which, coupled with Sound Factory since 1981, is a renown Californian complex where many famous artist recorded from the sixties to this day.

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:


Associated Artists:


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).

References




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