organ from “take me to church” by hozier | ToneDB
take me to church
hozier
organ
Tone Profile
A dark, rich, and somewhat gritty organ sound that provides a foundational harmonic bed with a haunting and almost ecclesiastical vibe, perfect for driving the emotional weight of the song.
Shop This Rig
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
The organ on Hozier's "Take Me to Church" was recorded at Cauldron Studios in Dublin with producer Rob Kirwan. The sound features a Hammond organ played through a Leslie speaker cabinet, which was captured with a Shure SM57 microphone placed close to the rotating speaker to capture its distinctive modulated effect and raw tonality.
Production Credits
Producer: Rob Kirwan
Engineer: Rob Kirwan
Recorded at: Cauldron Studios, Dublin
Signal Chain
Instrument: Hammond OrganShop on Reverb
Amp: Leslie SpeakerShop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a classic Hammond organ model.
- Use a Leslie speaker simulation or, if possible, record through a real Leslie.
- Experiment with microphone placement on the Leslie to find the sweet spot.
- Add a touch of overdrive or saturation to give it some grit.
Original Gear
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
- Hammond OrganShop on Reverb(keyboard)
- Leslie SpeakerShop on Reverb(amp)
- Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Hammond Organ
Authentic Hammond B-3 emulation with built-in Leslie simulation, perfect for achieving the dark ecclesiastical organ tones at a budget price point
Alternative to: Hammond Organ
Highly regarded Hammond emulation with authentic drawbar control and built-in rotary speaker effects for professional live and studio applications
Alternative to: Leslie Speaker
Captures the authentic Leslie rotating speaker sound with both fast and slow speeds, adding the essential modulated character to any organ sound
Alternative to: Leslie Speaker
Adds vintage tube warmth and gentle compression to replicate the natural saturation of the Leslie amplifier circuit
Alternative to: Shure SM57
The exact microphone used on the original recording, still manufactured and perfect for capturing the Leslie speaker's raw, gritty character
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!