The Police Zenyatta Mondatta

(updated: 11/06/24)

Recorded 30 June to 7 August 1980 at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum, Holland. Mixed at Strawberry Sound Studios

Musical equipment

Stewart Copeland:

• Drums (TAMA Superstar 9-ply, except where noted):
• 14” x 22” bass drum
• Pearl 5” x 14” snare
• 8” x 10” tom
• 8” x 12” tom
• 9” x 13” tom
• 16” x 16” floor tom
•  4 x TAMA Octobans (70s model Royalstar lugs)
• Cymbals (Zildjian, hollow logo A series):
• New Beat 14” hi-hat
• 8” Splash
• 22” Ping Ride
• 18” Thin Crash (x2)
• 16” Thin crash
• Effects:
• Roland RE-301 Chorus Echo - occasional delay effects on hi-hat
• Other:
• Roland RS-505 Paraphonic synthesizer ("Bombs Away" etc.)

Sting:

•  Basses:
• Henk Van Zalinge Z-bass (Brian) – a recent acquisition of Sting’s, used on "Don't Stand So Close To Me"; a Dutch upright bodyless bass
• 1962 Fender Jazz natural
• Ibanez MC940NS custom with natural finish
• Other:
• 1978 Fender Stratocaster - possibly used someplace
• Moog Taurus 205A synth pedals - intro for "Don't Stand So Close To Me"
• Moog Minimoog Model D

Andy Summers:

• Guitars:
• 1963 (or 1961) Custom Fender Telecaster /w Gibson Humbucker
• 1954 Fender Stratocaster (natural)
• 1961 Fender Stratocaster (red)
• Roland G303 controller - for GR-300
• Amplification:
• Marshall 1959 JMP Super Lead 100-watt heads
• Marshall 4x12 cabinets
• Roland JC-60 combo
• Roland JC-120 combo
• Roland Cube-60 combo
• Fender Super Champ (possibly rented)
• Synthesizers:
  
• Moog Minimoog Model D
• Roland SH-2
• Roland RS-505
• Roland GR-300 guitar synth (Don’t Stand So Close To Me)
• Effects:
• DeArmond 602 volume pedal
• Maestro Echoplex EP-2 tape echo
• Pete Cornish custom effects board – seen in ‘Everyone Stares’ documentary. Includes:
• MXR Phase 90
• MXR Dyna-comp compressor
• MXR Analog Delay
• MXR Distortion+
• Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger
• Mutron 3
• Roland FV-2 volume pedal
• Moog Taurus I pedals

Recording & studio equipment

Microphones:

• Drums:
• AKG D12 (bass drum)
• AKG C451 (overheads, possibly hi-hat)
• Shure SM57 (snare)
• Neumann U67/U87 (toms)
• Guitars: 
• AKG C414 EB
• Neumann U87
• Vocals:
• Neumann U67

Tape machines:

• Wisseloord:
• Studer A80 2-inch 24-track
• Strawberry South (mixing):
• 3M M79 24-track
• Studer A80 2-track
• Studer A62 2-track

Outboard gear (partial):

• Wisseloord:
• Dbx 160 compressor/limiter
• EMT 140
• EMT 240
• Strawberry:
• AMS DMX 15-80 digital delay/harmonizer
• AMS DM2.20 Tape Phase simulator
• EMT (140?) stereo plate
• Master Room stereo reverb

Consoles:

• Polygram custom 24-input console (Wisseloord) 
• Formula Sound 28/24 custom /w API modules and Allison 65K automation (Strawberry South Studios)

Other:

• Auratone 5C monitors

References:

Photos in Police Confidential by Danny Quatrochi

Various photos (including on LP cover and inner sleeve)

Behind The Boards II by Jake Brown (Nigel Gray chapter)

Everyone Stares film

International Musician And Recording World March 1981

Music UK, October 1981 (Pete Cornish effects board details)

Musician June 1983 (Z-bass info)

DB magazine, May 1984

Studio Sound, November 1979 (pages 31-32)

Studio Sound, August 1978 (Strawberry Studio, pages 40-42)

Sticks January 1989 & Jeff Seitz (Stewart's drums)

Melody Maker May 2 1981

Various