Neumann USM69i
Neumann U89i
Neumann U87AisE Electronics: Johnny McDaid
sE Endorsee: Johnny McDaid
Occupation: Songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist
Artists: Snow Patrol, Paul Van Dyk, Gary Go and many more
Mics: Gemini, 4400a, GM-10 plus Reflexion Filter and Stand 1
Johnny McDaid is a writer and producer working with some of the biggest talents around including Snow Patrol, Paul Van Dyk and Gary Go. Every day brings a different recording challenge so its a good job he is armed with a whole range of sE gear.
Johnny McDaid must smile whenever he steps into his bespoke studio because this man has one of the best jobs in music. One day hes remixing U2, the next he can be playing live with the Snow Patrol, and the next he could be writing with dance megastar Paul Van Dyk (on huge anthems like Time Of Our Lives and Home) or recording the current darling of the music industry, Gary Go hes infectiously talented and a joy to work with, notes Johnny.
Johnny used to be in the band Vega4 but since signing to Snow Patrols Polar Patrol publishing company, he has been establishing himself as one of the UKs foremost songwriters and building a recording studio packed to the rafters with the best gear.
A couple of friends of mine had sE mics a while back, he says, and when I came to choose mics for myself, one of the first on the list was the Gemini. As soon as I plugged that thing in everything seemed to come to life. It has a huge sound. I use it for very specific vocalist sounds when I want a fat, warm sound. It has this belly and you can hear and feel the valves in it.
But while the Gemini has the sound, Johnnys GM-10 is his songwriter choice
When you are writing you are constantly grabbing things like an acoustic guitarto put an idea down but you?re moving around so much. The GM-10 is brilliant, and one of the best inventions for the singer/songwriter. You clamp it on there it straps to anything and it stays in the same place no matter where you move. I really do use it every day. Ill put it on there even if Im using other mics its a great safety track to have as well as a really great sounding microphone.
Then theres the sE 4400a Such an amazingly versatile mic you can put it in front of pretty much anything; a Vox, a Marshall, or it will perform just as well as picking up every nuance of an acoustic guitar. Its also perfect for female vocals.
Finally, Johnny is a fan of the Reflexion Filter and sEs professional mic stand, the Stand 1
That mic stand is great! he says. I wanted something like the old Abbey Road mic stand and this is the only thing I can think of that allows you to strap big heavy stuff to it without tipping over. I use the RF for a variety of things. With the Snow Patrol John Martyn track I just worked on, I used it on a glockenspiel and it helped get this real swell of tone it was really cool actually.
He continues: I also did a performance with Paul Van Dyk in Germany with a massive symphony orchestra doing some of my songs and there were RFs everywhere!?
Johnny is currently working on tracks for the new Gary Go album, Paul Van Dyk, album and Example album among others.
For more information contact Production Room on 0113 246 7985 or email info@production-room.com