Blister In The Sun by Violent Femmes: studio, gear and credits

Blister In The Sun by Violent Femmes: recorded at Castle Recording Studios, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (Documented studio per Discogs (release-wide): Castle Recording Company)), produced by Mark Van Hecke. See the credits and gear, then recreate the sound in your DAW.

Details

Song: Blister in the Sun
Artist: Violent Femmes
Genre / Style: Folk Punk / Post-Punk / Acoustic Rock
Date(s) Recorded: July 1982
Original Record Company & Catalog #: Slash Records (distributed by Warner Bros.), 1-23845
Release Date: April 13, 1983
YouTube Search: Listen on YouTube

Personnel and session credits

Producer(s): Mark Van Hecke
Musicians & Session Performers:

Gordon Gano - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (Guild D-40)
Brian Ritchie - Acoustic Bass Guitar (Ernie Ball Earthwood), Backing Vocals
Victor DeLorenzo - Snare Drum (1940s Gretsch), Tranceaphone, Brushes, Backing Vocals

Studio and recording technology

Tracking Studio & Room: Castle Recording Studios, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (Documented studio per Discogs (release-wide): Castle Recording Company))

Reported gear and setup (not independently verified)

Mixing / Overdub Studio: Castle Recording Studios, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Mixing Console / Desk: MCI JH-528B 28-Channel In-Line Console
Multitrack Tape Machine & Format: MCI JH-24 24-Track 2-inch Analog Tape Machine (@ 30 IPS)
Studio Monitors: UREI 813 Time Align Main Monitors / Yamaha NS-10M Nearfields
Key Outboard Processors & Hardware Units:

UREI 1176LN Rev F (Solid-State Peak Limiter): Deployed across lead vocal channel for peak transient catching during tracking.
DBX 160X (VCA Compressor): Utilized during tracking for transparent dynamic peak leveling across the Earthwood acoustic bass.
Teletronix LA-3A (Solid-State Optical Limiter): Applied during mixdown for smooth program leveling of acoustic rhythm guitar transients.
EMT 140 (Plate Reverb): Deployed as subtle auxiliary send to add depth to lead vocals and acoustic guitar.

Synthesizers, Drum Machines & Electronic Instruments:

*None utilized on this session* (strictly acoustic instrumentation)

Signal chains covered in the full track sheet

Instrument-by-instrument recording pathways, including: Lead Vocals (Gordon Gano), Rhythm Acoustic Guitar (Gordon Gano), Acoustic Bass Guitar (Brian Ritchie), Snare Drum (Victor DeLorenzo), Tranceaphone Metal Percussion (Victor DeLorenzo), Backing Vocals (Brian Ritchie & Victor DeLorenzo).

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