How a recording-studio mishap shaped '80s music

TL;DR

Gated reverb, an accidental discovery, defined the sound of 80s music.

Transcript

This thing keeps happening every single time I listen to one of my favorite songs of the last 5 or so years. I hear this weird but familiar drum sound that just cuts right through the track. I love it. Here it is one more time. That punchy, unnatural drum was the sound of the 80s and it’s back. It's called gated reverb, and like many of the greates... Read More

Key Insights

• Gated reverb, a defining sound of the 1980s, was discovered accidentally during a recording session with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins.
• The sound was first captured using a new recording console with a mic that had a heavy compressor and noise gate, creating a unique drum effect.
• Phil Collins' 'In the Air Tonight' popularized the gated reverb sound, recorded in Townhouse's Stone Room, which added natural reverb.
• Early reverb was achieved using echo chambers and plate reverb boxes, which were large and not portable, leading to innovations in digital reverb technology.
• The AMS RMX16, introduced in 1982, revolutionized reverb with its microprocessor-driven presets, allowing for easy replication of the gated sound.
• Prince and other artists of the 1980s heavily utilized gated reverb, further embedding it into the era's musical identity.
• By the 1990s, musicians moved away from the gated reverb sound, favoring drier drum sounds, but it has seen a resurgence in recent years.
• Modern producers can easily recreate the 80s sound using digital tools and sample packs, making it accessible without vintage equipment.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is gated reverb and how was it discovered?

Gated reverb is a distinctive drum sound characterized by a punchy, unnatural reverb that cuts off abruptly. It was discovered accidentally during a recording session with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins when a mic with a heavy compressor and noise gate picked up the sound, creating this unique effect.

Q: How did Phil Collins contribute to the popularity of gated reverb?

Phil Collins contributed to the popularity of gated reverb through his song 'In the Air Tonight,' which featured the sound prominently. The song's recording in Townhouse's Stone Room added natural reverb, enhancing the effect and helping to popularize the sound across the music industry during the 1980s.

Q: What role did the AMS RMX16 play in the evolution of reverb technology?

The AMS RMX16 was a groundbreaking reverb unit introduced in 1982, driven by a microprocessor and offering 99 presets. It allowed for easy replication of various reverb effects, including the gated sound, making it a key innovation that contributed to the widespread use of gated reverb in 1980s music production.

Q: Why did musicians move away from gated reverb in the 1990s?

Musicians moved away from gated reverb in the 1990s as musical trends shifted towards drier drum sounds. The gated reverb sound had become overused by the end of the 1980s, leading artists and producers to explore new sonic landscapes and leave behind the heavily produced aesthetic of the previous decade.

Q: How has gated reverb made a resurgence in recent years?

Gated reverb has made a resurgence in recent years as part of a broader nostalgia for 1980s music and culture. Modern producers use digital tools and sample packs to recreate the iconic sound, incorporating it into contemporary music and paying homage to the era's influential production techniques.

Q: What advancements in reverb technology preceded the AMS RMX16?

Before the AMS RMX16, reverb technology relied on echo chambers and plate reverb boxes, which were large and not portable. These methods created natural reverb effects but were cumbersome, leading to the development of more compact and versatile digital reverb units like the AMS RMX16.

Q: How did Prince utilize gated reverb in his music?

Prince utilized gated reverb extensively in his music, using it to create a distinctive sound that became synonymous with his work in the 1980s. He employed the Linn-LM1 drum machine and AMS reverb box to achieve the effect, contributing to the sound's prominence and association with the era.

Q: What tools do modern producers use to recreate the 80s sound?

Modern producers recreate the 80s sound using digital tools such as computer plugins and sample packs inspired by artists like Prince and Phil Collins. These resources allow for easy access to the gated reverb effect and other iconic sounds from the era, making it possible to incorporate them into contemporary music production.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Gated reverb, a hallmark of 1980s music, was discovered by accident during a recording session with Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins. This unique drum sound became iconic, thanks to its use in Phil Collins' 'In the Air Tonight' and its subsequent popularity in music production throughout the decade.

• The evolution of reverb technology played a significant role in shaping the sound of the 80s. From cumbersome echo chambers and plate reverb boxes to the introduction of the AMS RMX16, advancements allowed for more accessible and varied reverb effects, including the distinctive gated reverb.

• Despite falling out of favor in the 1990s, the gated reverb sound has made a comeback, with modern producers using digital tools to recreate the iconic 80s sound. This resurgence highlights the enduring appeal and influence of the era's musical innovations.