organ from “once in a lifetime” by talking heads | ToneDB

once in a lifetime

talking heads

organ

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A bright, slightly overdriven organ sound with a choppy, rhythmic feel. It's punchy and present in the mix, providing a key harmonic and rhythmic element.

Production Credits

Producer: Brian Eno

Engineer: unknown

Recorded at: Sigma Sound Studios, New York

Signal Chain

Instrument: Hammond B3

Amp: Leslie 147

Microphone: Neumann U87

Recording Notes

  • The Hammond B3 was run through a Leslie 147 rotating speaker cabinet to create the signature swirling sound.
  • Microphones were likely placed both near the horn and the rotor of the Leslie to capture the full sonic spectrum.
  • Additional EQ and compression were likely applied during mixing to make the organ sound more present.

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a clean Hammond B3 emulation and dial in a moderate amount of overdrive.
  • Use a Leslie speaker simulator plugin to recreate the rotating speaker effect. Adjust the speed and depth to match the original sound.
  • Experiment with different microphone placements within the Leslie simulator to find the sweet spot.
  • Apply a touch of compression to even out the dynamics and add punch.
  • Use a high shelf EQ to brighten the sound and help it cut through the mix.

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