Recording Marla Moya’s “Penumbra” at Famous Gold Watch
Recorded at Berlin’s Famous Gold Watch Studios, this Aim Audio Artist Session features Marla Moya,joined by Antonia Estelle and Arndís Rán SnæÞórsdóttir on backup vocals, performing “Penumbra”, the opening track to her latest LP “Sanguine Soul”. Engineered by Bob Spencer, INSPIRE microphones were used throughout, all set to Transformer mode to bring out a coherent character across the whole ensemble.
For lead vocals, INSPIRE went through a Focusrite ISA 430 MkII preamp and set to the Transformer output, adding low-end weight and air to Marla’s voice without masking the natural detail of her performance. Acoustic guitar was similarly captured with an INSPIRE in Transformer mode, this time through a Neve 1073, lending some classic warmth and presence to her playing.
Backup vocals were also tracked with INSPIRE in Transformer mode, one through a second Neve 1073 and the other through a Cranborne Audio Camden 500, giving each voice its own subtle character while keeping a consistent tone across the harmonies.
With all mics set to BACK mode, engineer Bob Spencer was able to quickly and efficiently select settings on the front panel and carefully position the microphones thanks to the ultra-flexible ORBIT shock mounts.
Processing was kept intentionally minimal to let performance speak for itself. The result: a sparse but textured recording, slowly building to the harmony driven crescendo of its final refrain.
Watch the full performance below.
Recording Marla Moya’s “Penumbra” at Famous Gold Watch
Recorded at Berlin’s Famous Gold Watch Studios, this Aim Audio Artist Session features Marla Moya, joined by Antonia Estelle and Arndís Rán SnæÞórsdóttir on backup vocals, performing “Penumbra”, the opening track to her latest LP “Sanguine Soul”. Engineered by Bob Spencer, INSPIRE microphones were used throughout, all set to Transformer mode to bring out a coherent character across the whole ensemble.
For lead vocals, INSPIRE went through a Focusrite ISA 430 MkII preamp and set to the Transformer output, adding low-end weight and air to Marla’s voice without masking the natural detail of her performance. Acoustic guitar was similarly captured with an INSPIRE in Transformer mode, this time through a Neve 1073, lending some classic warmth and presence to her playing.
Backup vocals were also tracked with INSPIRE in Transformer mode, one through a second Neve 1073 and the other through a Cranborne Audio Camden 500, giving each voice its own subtle character while keeping a consistent tone across the harmonies.
With all mics set to BACK mode, engineer Bob Spencer was able to quickly and efficiently select settings on the front panel and carefully position the microphones thanks to the ultra-flexible ORBIT shock mounts.
Processing was kept intentionally minimal to let performance speak for itself. The result: a sparse but textured recording, slowly building to the harmony driven crescendo of its final refrain.
Watch the full performance below.
Behind the scenes:
Gallery
