Yassasin by David Bowie: studio, gear and credits

Yassasin by David Bowie: through a Neve 8048 Custom 32-Channel (Mountain Studios) / Custom Datamix 24-Channel Console (Record Plant NYC). See the credits and gear, then recreate the sound in your DAW.

Details

Song: Yassasin (Turkish for: Long Live)
Artist: David Bowie
Genre / Style: Art Rock / Reggae / Turkish Folk Hybrid
Date(s) Recorded: September 1978 (tracking); March 1979 (overdubs and mixdown)
Original Record Company & Catalog #: RCA Victor – BOW LP 1 / INTS 5023
Release Date: May 18, 1979
YouTube Search: Listen on YouTube

Personnel and session credits

Credits for this recording are still being verified against Discogs and MusicBrainz.

Studio and recording technology

Mixing / Overdub Studio: Record Plant, New York City, USA
Mixing Console / Desk: Neve 8048 Custom 32-Channel (Mountain Studios) / Custom Datamix 24-Channel Console (Record Plant NYC)
Multitrack Tape Machine & Format: Studer A80 24-Track (2-inch @ 30 IPS) / Ampex MM1200 24-Track (2-inch @ 30 IPS)
Key Outboard Processors & Hardware Units:

EMT 140 (Plate Reverb): Added dense stereo reverberation across acoustic violin, lead vocal, and snare drum sends
Eventide H910 Harmonizer (Digital Pitch Shifter / Delay): Micro-pitch detuned and thickened the solo violin and lead vocal tracks
Teletronix LA-2A (Optical Compressor): Provided smooth dynamic leveling on George Murray's DI bass and Bowie's lead vocal

Synthesizers, Drum Machines & Electronic Instruments:

synthesiser (Instrument): Documented use: synthesiser.

Reported gear and setup (not independently verified)

Tracking Studio & Room: Mountain Studios, Montreux, Switzerland (Inferred: no studio documented in Discogs/MusicBrainz)
Studio Monitors: Altec 604E Super Duplex (Mountain Studios) / Westlake TM-1 (Record Plant NYC)
Key Outboard Processors & Hardware Units:

UREI 1176LN (FET Limiter): Tamed fast peak transients on drum close mics, acoustic piano, and vocal subgroups
Pultec EQP-1A (Inductor Program EQ): Shaped low-end punch and extended high-frequency shelf on mix subgroups

Synthesizers, Drum Machines & Electronic Instruments:

EMS Synthi AKS (Analog Synthesizer): Generates modulated noise sweeps, random sample-and-hold timbres, and resonant drone treatments patched live by Brian Eno

Signal chains covered in the full track sheet

Instrument-by-instrument recording pathways, including: Kick Drum, Snare Drum, Drum Overheads, Bass Guitar, Rhythm Electric Guitar, Acoustic Piano, Violin, Synthesizer & Electronic Treatments, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals.

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