Duran Duran Rio gear

 

Duran Duran Rio recording gear

Musicians’ gear

Nick Rhodes:

• Roland Jupiter-4
• Roland Jupiter-8
• Roland SH-2
• Roland CSQ-700 sequencer
• Sequential Circuits Prophet-5?
• Crumar Performer

Andy Taylor:

• Guitars:
• Yamaha SG90 /w DiMarzio pickups
• Fender Stratocaster
• Amplification:
• 4 x 100-watt Marshall heads
• Mega 4x12 cabinets
• Effects:
• MXR Flanger
• Boss Chorus
• Eventide H910 Harmonizer

John Taylor:

• Aria Pro II SB600 bass
• Boss chorus
• Boss flanger
• Phaser (model unknown)

Roger Taylor:

• TAMA Imperialstar kit

Studio equipment

Microphones:

·      Vocals:

o  Neumann U47

o  AKG C414

·      Drums:

o  Kick:

§  Electro-Voice RE-20

o  Snare:

§  Shure SM-57

o  Hi-hats:

§  AKG C451

o  Tom-toms:

§  Shure SM-57 (likely top)

§  Neumann U87’s (bottom of toms)

o  Overheads:

§  AKG C414, C12 or Neumann U87s

·      Guitars & amps:

o  Electro-Voice RE20 (bass)

o  AKG C414 or Neumann U47 (ambience)

 

Outboard gear at AIR Studios:

• AMS DMX 15-80S DDL
• AMS RMX-16 reverb
• ADR SCAMP racks
• Eventide H910 harmoniser – used on vocals & guitars
• Eventide H949 harmoniser – used on vocals
• Fairchild 660 compressor/limiter
• Neve preamps?
• UREI 1178 (x2)

Ancillary equipment:

• Studer A800 24-track
• Dolby M16 24-trk NR
• Dolby 361 NR
• Auratone 5C monitors
• Neve desk

References:

Duran Duran ‘Ask Katy’ questions (synth question, guitar question, sequencer question)

4s on 6s – Andy Taylor (One Two Testing, December 1982)

Colin Thurston interview in Home Studio & Recording February 1985 issue

John Taylor fretlessbass.com website interview

Keyboard magazine, May 1984 (Nick Rhodes feature)

Vintage synth forums

Studio photos from final mixing sessions at AIR Studios, April 1982 including this one: https://ittlgblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/duran254.jpg?w=1140

Photo from recording sesisons February 1982: http://www.duranasty.com/2014/january_2014/scans_jan_feb_2014/duranasty_scans_february_82_flashback.jpg