On Friday, May 2, 2014, the Ithaca, NY based Afrobeat ensemble Big Mean Sound Machine stopped by TELEFUNKEN Studios to promote their new album “Contraband”. The band has one goal: to create music that stimulates both the BODY and the MIND. It is guaranteed to make you move and groove.
Their entire performance was recorded live via the studio’s API 1608 console, alongside a Grace 801 pre amp. Every single channel was tracked using a TELEFUNKEN microphone into Pro Tools HD, in one take, with no overdubs.
The newly released DD5 Dynamic Drum Pack was employed on drum set. The Kick drum features the M82 positioned inside. The M80-SH was utilized on snare drum, with the M81-SH on toms, conga, electric guitar and keyboard amplifiers. A pair of CU-29 “Copperhead” large diaphragm tube mics was utilized for drum overheads and bass guitar cabinet, while the yet-to-be released M60 small diaphragm FET microphone was used on percussion. The M82 was also employed on the trombone and baritone saxophone, while the M81-SH was used on the trumpet. Lastly, a pair of M80 dynamic mics was positioned in ORTF in the room in front of the drum kit, while an AR-70 STEREO large diaphragm condenser was positioned at a far distance for a reverb effect.
The multi-track audio files of the original song “Contraband” from this live recording are now available for download.
All the files are clearly labeled in the same format with the source listed first (LEAD VOX, ACOUSTIC, PIANO), followed by the microphone used (M80, M82, etc). All audio files are presented in .WAV format and were recorded at 24bit / 44.1KHz sample rate.
“Contraband” was a song in an ongoing monthly contest co-hosted with Indaba Music. The top ten mixes were determined by popular vote, with the winning mix judged by the artist and TELEFUNKEN’s staff members.
TELEFUNKEN’s Multi Track Sessions LIVE is an excellent tool for auditioning the TELEFUNKEN microphone product line in the comfort and familiarity of a personal studio or listening environment.