Tone Profile

A warm, swirling, and ethereal organ-based pad that provides a dreamy, atmospheric foundation to the track. It's characterized by the rich harmonics of a Hammond organ and the gentle, enveloping movement of a Leslie speaker, possibly subtly enhanced by a string synthesizer.

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• Christine McVie played the Hammond B3 organ, which was a central part of her keyboard setup.
• The Leslie speaker, set to its slow 'Chorale' speed, is crucial for the signature swirling, ethereal quality of the pads.
• According to engineer Ken Caillat (via Mix Magazine), the Leslie was miked with a Neumann U67 on the top (capturing the rotating horn) and a Sennheiser MD 421 on the bottom (capturing the bass rotor).
• The recordings for the 'Rumours' album took place at various high-end studios, including the Record Plant in Sausalito, ensuring access to quality recording equipment and acoustics.
• A high-quality studio plate reverb, such as an EMT 140, was likely added during the mixing stage to give the pads space and depth.
• While the Hammond B3 is the primary source of the pad sound, it's possible it was subtly layered with a string synthesizer (like an ARP String Ensemble or Solina String Ensemble) to enhance its richness and sustain, a common technique for the era.

Recreation Tips

• Use a high-quality Hammond B3 emulation (software or hardware) paired with an accurate Leslie speaker cabinet simulation.
• Set the Leslie simulator to its slowest speed (often labeled 'Chorale').
• Experiment with drawbar settings. A good starting point for a warm pad is '888000000' (the first three drawbars fully extended). Ensure percussion is turned off or set to be very soft and with slow decay to maintain a smooth pad texture.
• Add a lush plate reverb emulation. Adjust the decay time and mix level to create a sense of space without washing out the sound.
• If desired, subtly layer a vintage string synthesizer emulation (e.g., ARP Solina or String Ensemble) underneath the organ. Keep its volume low so it blends in and adds texture rather than dominating.
• Pay attention to the performance: use sustained notes and smooth chord changes to match the original feel.
• If your Leslie emulation allows for mic placement adjustments, try simulating one mic on the horn and another on the rotor for a more authentic stereo image.

Recommended Gear

• Hammond B3 Organ(Organ)
• Leslie 122 Speaker Cabinet(Speaker Cabinet)
• Leslie 147 Speaker Cabinet(Speaker Cabinet)
• Neumann U67(Microphone)
• Sennheiser MD 421(Microphone)
• EMT 140 Plate Reverb Unit(Reverb Unit)
• ARP String Ensemble(Synthesizer)
• Eminent Solina String Ensemble(Synthesizer)
• Arturia B-3 V(Instrument Plugin)
• IK Multimedia Hammond B-3X(Instrument Plugin)
• Neo Instruments Ventilator II(Leslie Simulator Pedal)
• Universal Audio EMT 140 Plate Reverb(Effect Plugin)
• Arturia Solina V(Instrument Plugin)
• GForce VSM (Virtual String Machine)(Instrument Plugin)