EQ Magazine - June 2008 - (Page 26)

THE PANIC IS ON Ross feels Cobbin had the biggest impact on the vocal sounds on Pretty. Odd. “The vocal sounds changed quite a bit during the mix stage,” he says. “For example, I really like the dryness of the reverb on the vocals for ‘Pas De Cheval’. It sounds like one of those old Animals records, with that R&B kind of soul reverb.” “How I did that was by running the vocal through the RS 124, and then sending the signal to a tape machine for some tape delay,” explains Cobbin. “Actually, the tape acts like a pre-delay, and, in effect, that keeps the perspective of the vocal quite dry. I’d also vary the tape speed to match the delay to the pace of the song. Then, I brought the pre-delayed signal back to the console, and sent it to one of the studio’s tube plate reverbs. That signal chain gives you this very pleasant ‘after sound,’ without the reverb effect washing the vocal out.” In some cases, the original tracks were so well isolated that Cobbin simulated some track bleed to create a more vintage live-in-a-room sound. “For example, I might have the piano panned hard left,” he says, “but I’d run the signal into a chamber reverb, and pan the reverberated sound hard right. That added some faint ghosting that sounds like signal bleed, and it also adds a bit more character to the piano sound. In addition, I ran most of the piano through an original EMI RS 127 EQ—arguably, one of the first pieces of outboard gear. It’s an EQ that was used extensively through the ’60s, and it was one of the main EQs used on Beatles sessions.” Cobbin didn’t stop there. He constantly added some choice Abbey Road signature touches to the Panic mixes. To make “I Have Friends in Holy Spaces” sound like it’s playing on an old record, he sent the console mix to a single Celestion greenback speaker (famously used in guitar cabinets), and miked it with one of the oldest ribbon mics in the world— an EMI double ribbon stereo mic designed and built by Alan Blumlein. On a couple of songs, Cobbin ran the guitars and vocals through a 1968 Leslie cabinet miked with the Coles 4038 that was used as Ringo Starr’s mono overhead mic. He also employed Beatles-era effects such as ADT (Automatic Double Tracking), and tape phasing and flanging. For “Nothern Downpour,” he cut an acetate of some vocals and acoustic guitar from the song’s end, tossed the disc on the carpet, and swirled it around with his foot until it played back with just the right balance of static. Then, he made a loop of the sound for the song’s introduction and outro. (“It plays low in the mix throughout the song, as well,” Cobbin reveals.) Arguably, it’s Cobbin’s skillfully devised effects and creative use of panning that adds the enduring quality to Pretty. Odd, leaving listeners with a lot of sonic quirks to rediscover on repeated listens. Is Pretty. Odd modern rock’s answer to Sgt. Pepper? That’s a lofty claim that would leave many critics scoffing, but Panic At The Disco’s latest album undeniably stands heads and shoulders above most other radio-ready releases you’re likely to encounter this year. www.soniccircus.com serious studio infrastructure Toll Free: 1 - 8 8 8 - S C 4 - G E A R (724-4327) Representing the best in new analog and digital recording equipment, Sonic Circus has the world’s largest showroom of API, Neve and SSL consoles, as well as choice vintage outboard gear and microphones. We provide expert service, support, and integration to project studios and commercial facilities worldwide. Matrix The New is here! call for details NO MONTHLY PAYMENTS & NO INTEREST FOR 3 MONTHS. For qualiﬁed applicants.* Client Spotlight G e t M pressed ! The elysia Mpressor Approved 500 Series Deals All Month Long Create A Palette Of Tonal Colors- The Rack Is On Us! Call or visit us online for details Apply Online And Get Fast Approval Derek Trucks Takes delivery of The Kinks Neve 8048 Console. 26 EQ JUNE 2008 www.eqmag.com http://www.soniccircus.com http://www.soniccircus.com http://www.eqmag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EQ Magazine - June 2008

EQ Magazine - June 2008 Contents Talk Box Sounding Board 3 Doors Down, Hard-Fi, Paul Manousos Tool Box Panic at the Disco Guitar Trax Bass Management Key Issues Drum Heads Vocal Cords Mix Bus Cheat Sheet Cakewalk Projects Apple Loops Utility SSL Duende Mini JBL LSR4326/PAK & LSR4312SP Holophone H3-D Creation Audio Labs MW1 Studio Tool Amp Modeler Roundup Eventide Timefactor, Electro-Harmonix Stereo Pedals, Korg Pandora PX5D Room with a Vu: Blues Tunes Studios, Silverlake, CA

EQ Magazine - June 2008

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