Frank's microphones

MMM · #21 05-05-2005, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesDeFrances But what about on, lets say "River stay 'way from the door"? It's sounds like he maxxed out and was too loud for the mic to handle. The ribbon really vibrates and it is noticable on the recording. What do you think the cause of that was. Bad mixing..bad sound engineer?

Overload. Frank was smokin' loud in those few parts of that song, and the engineer likely had the level for the mic set to accomdate the loudest he expected Frank to sing, but Frank even went above that. Same amazing engineer that did so many of Frank's sessions at the Tower - John Kraus.

Set Avatar · #22 12-29-2005, 08:22 AM

Anybody know what make/model of microphones Frank used, whether live or in the studio?

**Marty** · #23 12-29-2005, 08:29 AM

Interesting thread here but it only really deals with Capitol session microphones, i'm sure though that this question will get some further replies from the good folks here.

Barry · #24 12-29-2005, 10:20 AM

I bet Frank used a great variety on different Mic's throughout his long career.
The original Valve Mic's are all coming back in these days.
( Those big things that all the old studio pic's used to show)
They produced such a lovely warm sound that is now, again, very desirable.
The digital age came in and all the "Shaw's and Neiman" type Mic's held court for years.
( Other makes as well)
The valve mic's looked great and were great.
Barry.

JamesDeFrances · #25 12-29-2005, 10:30 AM

A while back I started a thread about the microphones Frank used when performing live.

I'll see if I can dig it up.

Barry · #26 12-29-2005, 10:42 AM

I use these two Mic's on my live performances mostly.
The one on the right, as you look , is a Shure Beta 58.
A good old Mic used as the standard Mic by most UK Musios.
The other one is a Shure BG 2.0. It is good but has a different response to the 58. ( Slightly different sound)
I just took this photo in fact.

Tricia · #27 12-29-2005, 10:48 AM

Thought you might be interested in this. It's part of several posts from Nancy and these are about the mic that Frankie used the night of the Hollywood Bowl Tribute to Frank Sinatra this last June.

Of course, I know nothing about mics, but the one Frankie used this night sounded incredible.

It was fun to read some of the thread again. It certainly was a night to remember

http://www.sinatrafamily.com/forum/s...&pagenumber=28

**Marty** · #28 12-29-2005, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesDeFrances A while back I started a thread about the microphones Frank used when performing live.

I'll see if I can dig it up.

whoops forgot that one James

it's here (I hope)

(added by Susan: thanks for the merge prompt, Marty)

your picture montage is an excellent starting point for discussion.

added: Barry, The Shure 58 was always my favourite weapon of choice, it's just a fantastic microphone and it's range made it perfect for studio and live use, very little pop even up close.

Barry · #29 12-29-2005, 11:10 AM

Thanks for that link Tricia
( I missed that thread?

)
These two snaps show the inside of my studio with the control
room and the engineer in it.
The other one shows Alan Parker's Studio and those fantastic musios and myself just after my three demo recordings.
Len Skeat is behind a very similar Mic used by Frankie in those lovely shots.
I used the mic myself and the sound was superb.
Barry.

Barry · #30 12-29-2005, 11:14 AM

The photo at the top shows my old studio with my Engineer in the control room.
The one below was after my triple demo in Alan Parker's studio.
Len Skeat is behind the Mic i used...similar to Frankie in your snaps above posted.

Tricia · #31 12-29-2005, 12:19 PM

Thanks Barry! Great photo of you all. Is it harmonica's you are all playing?

Where was/is your studio Barry?

It would be interesting to hear the same "sound bite" played on several different mics to hear what the real difference is.

Barry · #32 12-29-2005, 12:57 PM

One of the first serious things I did in music was to make a demo on Chromatic Harmonica in Alan's studio. That was the 27th June 1991. Alan did it for nothing for me

Three Tunes:-
1. Slow Ballad:- Our Love is here to stay. In F.
2. Middle tempo:- Paper moon. In B flat.
3. Up tempo:- I Got Rhythm. In C

I used the Legendary Len Skeat ( double bass) He had worked for Frank at a private party, Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett etc' etc. He is the best bassist in England and is a great friend. Also a legendary Tenor player Dick Morrissey. ( I posted on Dick's funeral 2 years ago...Cancer) He has the Jumper on. With the sun shades on is Ian Wright. A GREAT pianist. Not in the shot is Ralph Salmins, A drummer who has done a lot of Lloyd Webber stuff and the Count Basie band. Plus me in the " Jersey Jazz" sweatshirt. (The "I Got Rhythm track" was played on Jazz fm on Easter Sunday that year. I hadn't earned a penny playing up to that time. I just like the best of everything.

Barry · #33 12-29-2005, 01:02 PM

<Where was/is your studio Barry?>
Davina died, I got depressed and into debt. I had to sell the house and studio to get out of debt. That was a long time ago now. All behind us now. Look to the future is the way forward. Thanks for asking.

Jeffrey Simmons · #34 12-29-2005, 04:56 PM

Here I believe is FS with what looks very much like the Shure SM58 microphone. I saw him use that mike in London and during a song he might move it around to numerous calculated distances from his mouth. At times he would even have extended his arm at full stretch to sing into the mike and at other times it might bevery close to his mouth. Frank's brilliant microphone technique is legendary.

Set Avatar · #35 12-29-2005, 09:18 PM

I would have to say that Frank liked the michrophones with a cord. In all his concerts, he always plays with the cord. seeing him witout it would be very odd. Frank holding the mic in one had, the cord in the other..classic..

Barry · #36 12-29-2005, 10:34 PM

When I first saw Frank at the Royal Albert Hall, London, the audience sits all round the hall as it's a round building. I was behind the stage to the left as you look at it head on. Just above the artist's entrance from the dressing room area. (I have the ticket here) It was 1980. As Frank sang, he walked slowly all round that massive stage moving the lead as he did it. It was completely without thinking. YEARS of the same had perfected it for him. He sang to us, behind him also. He walked between the orchestra to do it. Impressive or what! The first big number was "Chicago". He ended up by the string section. The hairs were upright on the back of your neck as he had built the thing up gradually. Then, as he finished, the power was just fantastic, he hit the last word CHIGAGO and his right arm went from across his body WHACK, to stop the orchestra dead. Bloody hell. Bloody hell again! The roof lifted up. I'm sure. Now THAT'S Mic' tech' I'd say.

Set Avatar · #37 12-30-2005, 01:52 PM

Don't know about mircophones, but interestingly, a guy in Hoboken claims he owns Sinatra's mircrophones.

Chuck Granata · #38 12-30-2005, 05:36 PM

Until he began using wireless hand mikes (Audio Technica, I believe) it appears that Frank used a Shure SM58 on stage. They're rugged and reliable - and they offer excellent sound under rigorous conditions (where feedback could be a problem.)

By the way, in an earlier post in this thread someolne asked about the mild distortion on "River, Stay Away..." The distortion is microphone preamp overload. The Neumann condenser microphones that FS used during the Capitol years did not have ribbons. They were tube mikes that required a preamp, and if not set correctly the preamp could overload on loud passages.

Chuck Granata

Gregory · #39 12-30-2005, 07:56 PM

I have enjoyed reading these posts here. I had no idea Mr. Sinatra was involved with technical aspects of his performances. Very cool.

Barry, I must tell you that I know that so many musicain and performers have perfromed at the ledgendary Royal Albert Hall and seeing Mr Sinatra there would have been a dream come true.

Am I mistaken but ddn't The Beatles perform there before royalty where John Lennon told the people sitting in the "rich seats" the just rattle their jewelry? I think Maurice Chevalier and Marlene Deitrich were sitting in the Royal box seats.

I have seen Mr. Sinatra twice and both time it was in sports arenas

Great concerts on both occasions but nothing would compare to The Royal Albert Hall.

Barry · #40 12-31-2005, 09:36 AM

Hi Greg.
Frank called it "The Frances Albert Hall"

It was too! ( My middle name is Albert, but don't tell anyone

) I once told Nancy that she should perform there. She didn't think that they would book her. I know different to that for sure. She filled the Royal Festival Hall last year and she was magic. That's the next place in London for Nancy... That I would just LOVE to see.