Our equipment
Microphones:
AKG D12: The classic bass drum sound, Instantly recognisable bass drum sound you've heard on so many records. A very unique mid range and very directional. I use it in conjunction with the Shure beta52 or an LDC like the AKG c414. Famous users: The Beatles.
If you would like read more about this famous bass drum mic, click here:
Neumann KM84: Considered by many to be the best acoustic guitar mic ever made. An excellent SDC which is not too bright like many SDC can be. I use them on acoustic, strings, drum over-heads, percussion, piano, double bass and room mics. Famous users: Bob Dylan, Dave Grohl, Jack White, many more.
To learn more about this wonderful mic click the link below.
Neumann U67: One of the most sought after vocal mics. Great for female and male vocals alike. I use it for vocals, the side mic in M/S recording, drum room mic, double bass f hole. Famous users: Countless hit records from Bob Dylan to Nirvana to Stevie Wonder.
To learn more about this studio classic, click the link below.
Shure sm57: Used in almost every studio. I use them sometimes on snare drum, toms and guitar cabinets. Very useful workhorse. Famous users: It is a staple on snare drum on many records also Bono famously sang into one on Achtung Baby.
Neumann SM23c: Beautiful stereo mic with two nickel capsules and two ac701 valves. Effectively two KM56 mics in one. Sounds incredible on acoustic guitar, piano, strings and great on drums and percussion too.
To learn more about one of the finest acoustic guitar mics ever, click the link below.
AKG c451e: This is the vintage version, the one with the output transformer. Very much like the KM84 but brighter so I use it for the same things but when I want more high end. Famous users: Pink Floyd.
To learn more about this unique workhorse click here.
Neumann U47: Probably the most renowned vocal mic ever made. The Beatles to Mariah Carey and everyone in-between sing into these things. Used almost exclusively for voice and acoustic guitar because we’re afraid to break it. You won't find many of these in the west country.
To learn more about this desert island microphone, click here.
RCA 77D: Classic ribbon mic. Ideal for any type of roots music, great on brass and drums, classic vocals, guitar cabinets. Authentic vintage sound. A beauty.
To learn more about this wonderfully engineered microphone click below.
Shure Beta 52: My favourite modern bass drum mic. I use it with the AKG D12 to accentuate the lows and the slap of the beater. Sounds great on the beater of the drum and great on bass cabs, bottom of the snare and occasionally guitar cabs. Famous users: Paul White from Sound on sound is a big fan and is used a lot in live situations.
Coles 4038: A beefy microphone. An old BBC designed ribbon mic these mics are dark but take EQ well. They sound amazing on brass, especially trumpets. This mic was used lots for crooners - smooth, full, detailed sound. My mic of choice for guitar cabs, drum ohs, brass, some vocalists. Famous users: Led zeppelin, Beatles, Steve Albini.
To learn more about this wonderful mic, click here.
Neumann U87ai: World famous vocal mic. Sees little use as a vocal mic at Rapunzel because I prefer some of my other mics for most voices but I love it suspended in the bridge of a double bass. Despite what you read on the internet there is no difference in sound between the ai version and the vintage version - just a higher output. Used by Bob Marley, John Lennon, Jeff Buckley, Lily Allen, Duran Duran, the list is endless.
Click below to read more about the most famous microphone in the world.
Shure sm7b: Michael Jackson's vocal mic. This is a dynamic vocal mic used on many hit records. I use it when a vocal needs to be punchy and rhythmic. Great for rap and metal, beat-boxers and screamers. Famous users: Michael Jackson, Metallica, the xx, Kings of leon.
To learn more about this classic mic, click here.
AKG c414b ULS: Super workhorse mic. Sounds good on almost anything. I use it for piano, room, guitar cabs, brass, strings, acoustic, bottom of the snare, backing vox. Famous users: Coldplay famously used these on piano.
To learn more about all the different types of C414 over the years click below.
Neumann tlm 102: Great voice over mic. Good clean snare mic due to its high SPL tolerance. Also good for rock vocals and room mic. Does a good job on my double bass. No Famous users that I know of.
Pre amps:
Lachappel 583e: Great valve mic pre. Makes such a big difference to any microphone. Running a vintage amperex valve. Came out favourite in a gearslutz shoot-out.
Avedis MA5: Awesome Neve style preamp. Great for anything especially drums, bass guitar beefy sound.
Rupert Neve Designs 511: Clean or coloured. Versatile and straight to the point.
Capi VP26: Wonderful API style preamp, beautiful on acoustic instruments, more precise than a Neve style preamp but still with plenty of vibe, also great on drums.
Mixing:
Neve 8816: Great summing mixer. Makes your mixes sound like they've been mixed on a big Neve mixing desk like so many hit records. Very versatile master section with a few tricks we find very useful.
Yamaha NS10: Industry standard monitor, used in every studio around the world. Not a great frequency response but performs very well in the time-domain.
Midas Venice f24: 24 channels of boutique quality preamps and a very musical eq which I use on every mix. Useful converters too.
Thanks for reading everyone. We look forward to hearing from you at Rapunzel Studios.
