Shape of You by Ed Sheeran: studio, gear and credits

Shape of You by Ed Sheeran: recorded at Rokstone Studios, London / Gingerbread Man Studios, Suffolk, produced by Steve Mac, Ed Sheeran (Co-producer), engineered by Chris Laws, Daniel Pursey, Joe Rubel, through a SSL 4000 G-Series / Avid Pro Tools HD Hybrid Console. See the credits and gear, then rec

Details

Song: Shape of You
Artist: Ed Sheeran
Genre / Style: Pop / Tropical Pop / Dancehall
Date(s) Recorded: October 2016
Original Record Company & Catalog #: Asylum Records / Atlantic (0190295859039)
Release Date: January 6, 2017
YouTube Search: Listen on YouTube

Personnel and session credits

Producer(s): Steve Mac, Ed Sheeran (Co-producer)
Chief Recording Engineer(s): Chris Laws, Daniel Pursey, Joe Rubel
Assistant Engineer(s): Geoff Swan (Mix Assistant), Michael Freeman (Mix Assistant)
Mixing Engineer(s): Mark "Spike" Stent
Mastering Engineer(s): Stuart Hawkes
Musicians & Session Performers:

Ed Sheeran - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Martin Custom Acoustic Guitar, Soundboard Percussion
Steve Mac - Roland Juno-60 Synthesizer, Keyboards
Chris Laws - Acoustic Snare, Electronic Percussion Programming
Geo Gabriel - Backing Vocals
Travis Cole (Tjae Cole) - Backing Vocals
Wayne Hernandez - Backing Vocals

Studio and recording technology

Tracking Studio & Room: Rokstone Studios, London / Gingerbread Man Studios, Suffolk
Mixing / Overdub Studio: The Mix Suite, London
Mixing Console / Desk: SSL 4000 G-Series / Avid Pro Tools HD Hybrid Console
Multitrack Tape Machine & Format: Avid Pro Tools HD (32-bit Float / 96 kHz)
Key Outboard Processors & Hardware Units:

Neve 1073s (Outboard): Documented in published sources for this session / era.

Synthesizers, Drum Machines & Electronic Instruments:

Roland Juno-60 (Polyphonic Analog Synthesizer): Generates the primary signature marimba pluck hook, programmed with short decay and tracking direct.

Reported gear and setup (not independently verified)

Studio Monitors: Yamaha NS-10M Studio / Genelec 1031A
Key Outboard Processors & Hardware Units:

AMS Neve 1073 (Preamplifier / Inductor EQ): Discrete solid-state preamplifier utilized for all tracking inputs across vocals and guitars.
Tube-Tech CL 1B (Optical Tube Compressor): Applied during vocal tracking to provide transparent dynamic control and peak leveling.
Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor (VCA Compressor): Deployed for mid-range bite and transient shaping on acoustic guitar body percussion.
Tube-Tech CL1B (Outboard): Documented use: Ed's vocal sound.
LA-2A (Outboard): Documented use: Ed's vocal sound.

Signal chains covered in the full track sheet

Instrument-by-instrument recording pathways, including: Lead Vocals (Ed Sheeran), Backing Vocals (Ed Sheeran), Guest Backing Choir (Geo Gabriel, Travis Cole, Wayne Hernandez), Acoustic Guitar (Ed Sheeran), Acoustic Percussion (Guitar Body Slaps - Ed Sheeran), Keyboards & Marimba Synth (Steve Mac), Snare Drum (Chris Laws), Electronic Percussion & Kick (Chris Laws).

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