Sunset Sound

Sunset Sound

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

Sunset Sound is a three-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

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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

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Prince has recorded in Studio 3 primarily, but has also done sessions in both Studio 1 and 2.
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

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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.

Click the "show" link on the right to show this section.

You can sort the songs listed below per "Title" or "Year". Title Year Work produced 101 1987 17 Days 1984 Re-recording 2 Nigs United 4 West Compton 1986 3 x 2 = 6 1982 4ever 2009 (assumed) A Couple Miles 1985 A Million Miles (I Love You) 1984 Adore 1986 All My Dreams 1985 All That 1986 (of Adore) All The Critics Love U In New York 1982 Annie Christian 1981 Overdubs, mixing Another Lonely Christmas 1983 Anotherloverholenyohead 1985 Around The World In A Day 1984 Demo by David Coleman (no Prince input) Automatic 1982 Baby Doll House 1986 Baby Go-Go 1986 Baby, You’re A Trip 1982-1986 Basic tracking, Mixing Blanche 1986 Basic tracking Blue Limousine 1984 Basic tracking Bob George 1986 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 Boy U Bad 1986 Basic tracking Boy’s Club 1986 Basic tracking Breathless 1985 Basic tracking Can I Play With U? 1985-1986 Basic tracking, saxophone overdubs by Eric Leeds, additional recording by Prince Chili Sauce 1983 Basic tracking Chocolate 1983 Basic tracking, Vocal overdubs by Morris Day (assumed) Christopher Tracy’s Parade 1985 (as Wendy’s Parade) Cloreen Bacon Skin 1983 Colleen 1982 Basic tracking Colonized Mind 2009 (assumed) Come Elektra Tuesday 1985 Basic tracking Computer Blue 1983 of re-recording Condition Of The Heart 1984 Basic tracking Controversy 1981 Overdubs, mixing Conversation Piece 1986 Basic tracking Cookie Jar 1988 Basic tracking Cosmic Day 1986 Basic tracking Crimson And Clover 2008 Crucial 1986 Saxophone overdubs by Eric Leeds, Guitar solo overdub (assumed) D.M.S.R. 1982 Basic tracking Delirious 1982 Basic tracking Do Me, Baby 1981 Overdubs, mixing Drawers (Little Rock) 1985 Basic tracking Dream Factory 1985 Drive Me Wild 1983 Remix Duet with Dad (no known title) 1986 Eight 1986 Emotional Pump 1986 Erotic City 1983-1984 Basic tracking, vocals overdubs by Sheila E. Eternity 1985 Euphoria Highway 1986 Everybody Want What They Don’t Got 1986 Evolsidog 1985 Extraloveable 1982 Feel U Up 1981 Five 1986 For Love 1985 Four 1986 Free 1982 Frustration 1986 Fun Love 1986 G-Spot 1983 Get On Up 1986 Gigolos Get Lonely Too 1981 Girl 1985 Remixing God 1983 Good Love 1986 Groove In C Minor 1986 Groove In G♭Minor 1986 Heaven 1985 Hello 1985 High Calonic 1985 Holly Rock 1985 Housequake 1986 How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore 1982 I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man 1982 I Wonder U 1985 Ice Cream Castles 1984 If A Girl Answers (Don’t Hang Up) 1982 If I Could Get Your Attention 1986 If I Was Your Girlfriend 1986 If It’ll Make U Happy 1982 If The Kid Can’t Make You Come 1983 In A Large Room With No Light 1986 In A Spanish Villa 1984 International Lover 1982 Irresistible Bitch 1981 It’s A Wonderful Day 1986 It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night 1986 Jack U Off 1981 Jaguar 1987 Jerk Out 1981 Joy In Repetition 1986 Jungle Love 1983 Junk Music 1986 Killin’ At The Soda Shop 1985 Kiss 1985 Koo Koo 1986 Lady Cab Driver 1982 Last Heart 1986 Le Grind 1986 Let’s Pretend We’re Married 1982 Let’s Work 1981 Life Can Be So Nice 1985 Living Doll 1985 Love And Sex 1984 Love And Sex (Sheila E. song) 1986 Love Like Jazz 2009 Love On A Blue Train 1986 Madrid 1985 Manic Monday 1984 Married Man 1985 Mia Bocca 1982 Mobile 1985 Moonbeam Levels 1982 Most Strongest Whiskey 1985 My Baby Knows 1982 My Drawers 1984 My Love Belongs To You 1983 My Man 1986 My Summertime Thang 1983 New Position 1982 Next Time Wipe The Lipstick Off Your Collar 1984 Nine 1986 Basic tracking No Call U 1982 Noon Rendezvous 1984 Old Friends 4 Sale 1985 Oliver’s House 1984 One 1986 One Day (I’m Gonna Make You Mine) 1986 Ooo She She Wa Wa 1984 Others Here With Us 1985 Paisley Park 1984 Play In The Sunshine 1986 Polka-Dotted Tiger 1985 Ponyride 1986 Pop Life 1984 Possessed 1983 Power From Above 1991 Pride And The Passion 1986 Private Joy 1981 Rearrange 1981 Rebirth Of The Flesh 1986 Rescue Me 1986 Basic tracking Rockhard In A Funky Place 1986 Romance 1600 1985 Ronnie, Talk To Russia 1981 Rough 1985 Run Amok 1985 Seven 1986 Sexuality 1981 She Pony 1985 She’s Always In My Hair 1983 Shockadelica 1986 Shortberry Strawcake 1984 Sign O’ The Times 1986 Six 1986 Six And 1/2 1986 Slaughterhouse 1985 Slow Groove In G Major 1986 Some Kind Of Lover 1984 Something In The Water (Does Not Compute) 1982 Sometimes It Snows In April 1985 Stella And Charles 1985 Strange Relationship 1982 Strawberry Lover 1986 Sugar Walls 1984 Superfunkycalifragisexy 1986 Take Me With U 1984 Teacher, Teacher 1982 Telepathy 1986 The Beautiful Ones 1983 The Belle Of St. Mark 1984 The Bird 1984 The Cross 1986 The Glamorous Life 1983-1984 The Question Of U 1985 of 12 Keys (instrumental version of The Question Of U) The Walk 1982 There’s Something I Like About Being Your Fool 1981 Three 1986 Tibet 1985 Traffic Jam 1984 Tricky 1983 Turn It Up 1982 Two 1986 Twosday 1986 U Got The Look 1986 U Gotta Shake Something 1985 U Just Can’t Stop 1985 Under The Cherry Moon 1985 Up From Below 1986 Velvet Kitty Cat 1983 Violet Blue 1986 Voodoo Who 1985 Walkin’ In Glory 1986 Wall Of Berlin 2008 We Can Funk 1983 Wendy’s Parade (Christopher Tracy’s Parade) 1985 When Doves Cry 1984 When The Dawn Of The Morning Comes 1986 Wild And Loose 1982 With You 1979 Witness 4 The Prosecution 1986 Wouldn’t You Love To Love Me? 1976 XYZ 1987 Y'All Want Some More? 1986 Yellow 1985 Yo Mister 1986 You’re All I Want 1982 You’re My Love 1982 Zebra With The Blonde Hair 1985

Trivia

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• 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

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• 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

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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