Tony Visconti’s legendary Bowie ‘Heroes’ vocal sound can be yours

You know the legendary vocal sound on David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’? If you don’t know what I mean, listen to the album version (the single version cuts off half the good stuff). What you’ll hear at the beginning of the song is Bowie’s voice all close up to begin with but then as the song opens out to the ‘dolphins’ bit that kicks off the single edit, more reverb is introduced. Then as the song progresses, Bowie hits certain notes that seem to shake the whole room. What you’re hearing there is a very clever technique created by producer Tony Visconti; that’s three microphones at different locations in the room of Hansa Studios. The first mic – the one Bowie is singing right into – has a compressor on it to lift up his softest vocal inflections. The second is moved off a bit to collect a more ambient sound but only when Bowie’s voice hits a loud enough level to trip a gate on that mic. The third mic is set even further back and again is fed by a gate that is only opened up when Bowie really goes for it. And until now, you’ve had to have the right gear in the right room to achieve that sound.
But now Visconti has teamed up with Eventide to offer this effect in the form of Tverb, along with the ability to move the mics around the room in stereo. Imagine how it could sound with acoustic guitar or drums: your reverb can follow the dynamics of your entire track. And of course it’s going to bring vocals to life in the same way Visconti did on those legendary Bowie sessions in Berlin in the 70s.
Right now you can get Tverb for 75% off. Hit this link to learn more. And check out these videos.

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