Michael Jackson Thriller (1982) equipment

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(last updated: 22/08/24)

Michael Jackson Thriller recording equipment

info on Wikipedia

Musical equipment

Drum machines:

  • Linn LM-1 drum computer (x2) – “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, “Baby Be Mine” (Rev. 1 model), “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 (BB-1200 S Cherry red?) – 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 & rig:

  • 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/Charvel "Frankenstrat" (“Beat It” solo)
    • Marshall stack (1971 Super Bass 100-watt and/or 1969 Plexi Super Lead through 1967 Marshall 4x12 cabinet)
    • Note: amplifier model was subject of conflicting information over the years, but cleared up recently in this Facebook post and in EVH contemporary interviews (1983 & 84).

  • 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): Bruce Swedien's 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 most 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

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