Deep Purple - Machine Head sound

[tastelikedirt]

I love the "sound" of this record. The "warmth" of it. The tone, the sound of the recording overall.
Is it just the sound of the instruments, and recording gear availible at the time? Why does it sound like that?

Anybody know, can recomend other albums that have a simiular sound/feeling?

Highway Star...Smoke on the Water...I'm talkin' mostly about the recording aspect...I love the way this record sounds.

Black Sabbath maybe...Hendrix?...not really, Pink Floyd...Abbey Road, Venus and Mars?

Anybody know what I'm talkin' about?

[denial]

Great musicians, great songs, tracked to tape, mixed on a great console and most importantly, played together the way a rock band should be.

There is a Classic Albums feature on this record worth hearing.

[vvv]

I think it might have been recorded in Montreaux, on the Lake Geneva shoreline.

With the Rolling Stones' truck mobile thing in, eh, not much time.

[Zeppelin4Life]

What your hearing is a mix between mic bleed, vintage analog stuff, and distant micing techniques..and also some great musicianship too. Back then they usualyl have mics much further away from things like drums, amps, etc. There was also much less compression, and more natural limiting done by tubes and tape, etc. Limiting was also done by 1176s most of the time. you can really hear thoes pump sometimes. Bleed is a huge part of it. you wont get that vintage sound if you track individually. try it. turn the right speaker off in the intro to smoke on the water..youll see my point..have fun!




also, the drum techniques were totally different. it wasnt uncommon to record drums in mono. they have that distinctive sound to them because of it.
Dave

[joelpatterson]

Good God Almighty that was a great record that set the perfect tone at the time. Full of rebellion and energetic, not overtly political, just young and alive.

[spideyjack]

I love that record, but... allways considered it to be an early solidstate "hey we got a lot more tracks" kind of album. I guess it does sound "warm" compared to todays ROCK records, but when Im drivin 80 miles an hour cranking Highway Star the last thing I think about is warm, its hot maan!!!.

BTW did you ever notice that Smoke On The Water is alot like Rock Around The Clock, only slower and phrased different?

spideyjack

[Mix413]

Some stupid with a flare gun...

Wasn't that recorded in a motel using a remote truck?

Sounds very "live in the room" with minimal overdubs. Probably a 2" 16 track, minimal mics on the drums, lot of bleed and room tone. Good musicians, very tight band. Part of their unique sound was the distorted Hammond organ which had a very guitar-like tonality and playing approach. I think he used a Leslie and a Marshall amp.

I think "Smoke on the Water" is great sounding track.

[chetatkinsdiet]

I think the interaction of the drums, bass and organ really make this record. It's not really a matter of a killer guitar tone, or vocals that are out of this world. The low end is incredible and the drums are what I try to shoot for when recording.
Just great musicians playing together....that's what it's all about.

later,
m

[konabuzz]

I, too, have always loved Machine Head........wore out my vinyl copy when I was 16. Skipped, too......so it shocked the hell outta me when I heard it "clean" on CD the first time -- I was almost nostalgic for the "Swiss time was (click)'ing out".

Yeah, I've noticed this, too.....great production, great analog deepness, for the lack of.....better words. I'd read over the years the account of the fire, and the Rolling Stones mobile, the hotel, etc. and it always surprised me that, under less than ideal and serendipitous circumstances, they could: 1. play as well and as tightly (Highway Star, Lazy) as they did, and 2. be recorded as well as they were. I imagine they played all of these (with the exception of the timely "Smoke...") live, so had their groove on, but damn......tight, tight, tight. Great chops, all. Art prog leaning, but it cooks!!

Another record from the 70's that recalls the same kind of analog rocking sound, with clear as a bell, yet ballsy mixing technique is Sweet's Ballroom Blitz -- to these ears, anyway. Check it out.....great pop sensibilities, but man, the guitars are just......smokin'. If the New York Dolls could've played a little more competently....well....hmmm. Sorry....I digress unforgivably.

[BrianK]

MARTIN BIRCH !!!
MARTIN BIRCH !!!
MARTIN BIRCH !!!

He is/was an amazing producer + engineer for guitar rock. His early work is "Then Play On" 1969 and "Kiln House" 1970 (AMAZING sound) for Fleetwood Mac. You might have heard his other albums for Black Sabbath (Heaven and Hell), Iron Maiden (Number of the Beast etc.) or Rainbow (Rising, Long Live R&R). Certainly worked on the classic 1980's hard rock records, and I wish he was still doing it. The man knows how to make a record rock!

[Cojonesonasteek]

I've had the remastered version of Machine Head in my CD changer for a couple months now. It's a great guidepost for making great sounding records. What I love about it most is its dynamic range. Notice how far back in the mix Blackmore's guitar can be while still holding its own. The intro to "Lazy" is a good example of this. I use to have a big house with all tile floors and would stick amps and distant mics all around just trying to capture those kinds of sounds. Nice thread, guys...

[supafuzz]

Some stupid with a flare gun...

Wasn't that recorded in a motel using a remote truck?.

stones remote truck [helios console?]
at The Grand Hotel..which is the biggest hotel there
Vladamir Nabokov [lolita] lived at the hotel at that time....
didn't stay there but had lunch on the huge veranda which overlooks the casino and the lake.

I was there when i was a kid just a month before the Mothers/DP show
so the casino was still there right on the lake....

anyway killer record..so bloody heavy

[superg]

regarding the excellent,memorable drum sound-everything in phase...sturdy as hell!!!!G

[Krubbadoo]

If I remember well, it was taped with the Rolling Stones mobile truck which included an Helios Olympic style console. The tape machine were supposedly 3M 79. I ain't exactly sure but that's probably a nice part of the sound you like about the album's warmth. Lets not forget about all the talent and musicianship also involved...;o)

[joeysimms]

BTW did you ever notice that Smoke On The Water is alot like Rock Around The Clock, only slower and phrased different?

No, but I can't wait to go home and listen to the RATC 45 on 33 rpm!