Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) equipment

(last updated: 17/05/24)

Michael Jackson Thriller recording equipment

info on Wikipedia

Musical equipment

Drum machines:

• Linn LM-1 drum computer – “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, “Baby Be Mine”, “Thriller” etc.
• Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer – “Beat It” intro, various claps
• Dr. Click synchroniser prototype – for syncing drum machines

Synthesizers & sequencers:

• ARP 2600 – (supposedly) used by Greg Phillinganes for bassline on “Thriller”
• Bode Vocoder Model 7702 – used by Michael Boddicker on “P.Y.T.”
• E-mu Emulator – used by Michael Boddicker for voice sounds on “Billie Jean”, “Human Nature”, “P.Y.T.” and “The Lady In My Life”
• Moog Minimoog – synth bass via DI box
• New England Digital Synclavier II - “Beat It” intro by Tom Bahler, various
• Roland Jupiter-4
• Roland Jupiter-8 - main synthesizer on "Thriller".
• Roland MC-4 Microcomposer sequencer (Steve Porcaro)
• Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus – used by Michael Boddicker on “P.Y.T.”
• Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 – used by Michael Boddicker (“PYT”), Steve Porcaro and Bill Wolfer, “Thriller” intro chords (doubled with Jupiter-8)
• Oberheim FVS-1 Four Voice – used by Steve Porcaro for portamentos (slides) on “Human Nature”
• Oberheim OB-X – seen in photos. Anthony Marinelli’s, probably used on “Baby Be Mine” for sync lead sound
• Yamaha CE20 – used by David Foster on “The Girl Is Mine”
• Yamaha CS-80 – e.g. Bill Wolfer main riff on “Billie Jean”
• Yamaha GS-1 - Rhodes sound on “Human Nature” (Steve Porcaro)
• Yamaha Portasound keyboard (James Ingram, “P.Y.T.”)

Drum kits:

• Leon Chancer
• Yamaha “Jacaranda” kit, as played on Billie Jean (source)
• 22”x14” bass drum
• 6.5”x14” snare drum
• 6x8", 8x10", 8x12" & 9x13" rack tom-toms
• 14”x14” & 16”x16” floor toms 
• Jeff Porcaro: 
• Gretsch kit

Basses:

• Louis Johnson:
• Yamaha bass (possibly a BB-1200 S Cherry red model based on internet photos) – played on “Billie Jean”
• Music Man Stingray – one of Louis’ main basses, possibly used someplace
• Unknown bass (Fender Precision?) – “Beat It”, played by Steve Lukather

Guitars:

• Steve Lukather:
• 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard (“Beat It”) through Fender Deluxe Reverb II (modified by Paul Rivera)
• Fender Stratocaster sunburst /w EMG pickups: e.g. “The Girl Is Mine”
• Eddie Van Halen:
• Fender Stratocaster through rented Marshall(?) amplifier (“Beat It” solo)
• Note: there has been conflicting information relating to the amplifier used on the “Beat It” solo. As suggested in this blog post, it was a Hartley-Thompson amplifier borrowed from Alan Holdsworth… whichever amp used remains unclear
• Paul Jackson:
• Gibson ES-335 (“Lady In My Life”)
• Gibson Les Paul (“P.Y.T.” distorted guitars, “Beat It”)
• Valley Arts custom guitar /w Bartolini pickups (“P.Y.T.”)

Studio & recording gear

Microphones:

• AKG:
• C12: Humberto Gatica’s choice microphone for vocals & possibly guitars
• C412: bass drum
• C414 EB: acoustic piano, cellos on “Billie Jean”
• C451 EB: snare, hi-hat
• C452 EB: hi-hat, guitar amplifiers
• ElectroVoice RE-20: bass drum
• Neumann:
• KM84: tom-toms
• U47: guitars
• U47 FET: Paul McCartney vocals on “The Girl Is Mine”, possibly guitars (Humberto Gatica)
• U67: overheads, guitar amplifiers, strings on “Billie Jean”
• U87: toms, overheads
• M49: likely used for background vocals
• RCA:
• 44BX: likely trumpets & vocals
• 77DX: hi-hat, likely percussion
• Sennheiser MD421: kick drum
• Shure:
• SM7 (serial no. 232): main choice for Michael Jackson lead vocals through Neve 1084 preamp
• SM56: Donn Landee's choice for recording Eddie Van Halen, likely used for guitar solo on “Beat It” (or SM57 below)
• SM57: snare, occasional hi-hat, vocals (e.g. ‘Don’t Think Twice’ lyric on “Billie Jean”)

Tape recorders:

• Multi-track:
• 3M M79 24/16-track (x2) /w BTX 4500 synchronisers – Westlake
• Ampex MM1200 24-track – Sunset Sound and Ocean Way (overdubs)
• 2-track:
• Studer A80 – Westlake, mixing
• Ampex ATR-102

Outboard gear (partial list):

• Allison Research Kepex II noise gate
• EMT 250 digital processor
• Eventide H910 Harmonizer
• Eventide H949 Harmonizer
• Eventide FL201 Instant Flanger
• Lexicon Prime Time Model 93 DDL
• Teletronix LA2A compressor
• DBX-902 De-esser (“Human Nature” vocals)
• Studio Techniques Ecoplate reverb
• UREI LA-3A compressor
• UREI 1176 compressor

Recording/mixing consoles:

• Harrison 4032C: Westlake Studio A, all mixing and majority of recording
• API custom: Ocean Way, overdubs
• Sunset Industries 32/12: Sunset Sound Studio 2, “Beat It” and “The Lady In My Life” overdubs with Humberto Gatica

Monitors:

• Auratone 5C
• JBL 4310: Bruce Swedien’s choice, Westlake

Sources

Keyboard, January 1984

Bruce Swedien various interviews & Gearspace posts

Session photos from Thriller 40

Thriller 40 documentary footage from "The Girl Is Mine" session

Stories In The Room