Engineer Michael Ashby chooses Lauten Audio’s “Eden” LT-386 Multi-voicing vacuum tube microphone for the smash #1 Billboard Hot 100 ‘Bodak Yellow’ by Cardi B
It was only a few days ago that we revealed that The Foo Fighters' latest number one album features a ton of Lauten Audio microphones. And now we have even more exciting Lauten Audio news to share with you this week!
Hiphop sensation Cardi B’s new single “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” is currently number one on the US Hot 100 Billboard, knocking Taylor Swift’s latest single off the top of the charts!
With over 170 million views on Youtube, Bodak Yellow has already been nominated for 3 BET Hip Hop Awards (Biggest Single of the Year, Best Impact Track, and Best Hip Hop Video). It's also the first US number one from a female rap artist for nearly twenty years, with the last being Lauryn Hill's Doo Wop (That Thing) back in 1998.
Lauten Audio Eden LT-386 on vocals
The main focus of the track is of course the vocals, which were recorded by engineer Michael Ashby at Krematorium Studio in New York, with what he refers to as his “go-to female vocal mic”, the Lauten Audio Eden LT-386.
When it came to choosing a mic for the session, Ashby recalls, “We wanted a microphone that would sit on top of the mix, not just the high-frequencies, but the low-end too. We found during the mixing process we wanted more dominance from her in the low-end. She doesn’t want to sound like Nicki Minaj. So, when she came into the studio that day I asked if they wanted to switch to the 251 or just leave the Eden up. We decided to leave the Eden up, knowing I could just carve away what I didn’t want. That’s what I love about the Eden, everything’s there if you need it. In terms of comparing the best of the best, the Eden definitely takes it.”
"In terms of comparing the best of the best, the Eden definitely takes it."
Ashby first purchased his Eden in early 2016 and it has become a staple in the Krematorium Studio vocal booth. In an unsolicited review on Sweetwater’s website, Ashby wrote, “I call it my secret Sony C-800G killer because it delivers almost the same vibe as a C-800G recording, but so much smoother, from the mids all the way up!!! Paired with my Chandler Little Devil Pre with the ‘bright’ switch on, and you have a simply AMAZING MONSTER!!!”
Having spent nearly two years with the mic, now Ashby says, “When tracking vocals all I have to do on the Neve 551 EQ is take 220hz and attenuate that down a bit, like 0.5 to 1dB, and the top-end and mid-range sits hella clean for my vocal applications. The Eden has this robust and crispy top-end, very modern, but still a smooth type of sound. It’s literally been the only mic that’s been up for months in a row.”
The Lauten Audio Eden LT-386 is a vacuum-tube large diaphragm condenser
with three different voice settings (Forward, Neutral and Gentle), each with its own dedicated signal path.
Adding further details about Cardi’s “Money Moves” session, Ashby says, “It was about a two to three hour session and I could tell they were on a mission that day. Immediately, she started rehearsing the song, and then went into the vocal booth and said ‘I’m gonna work the Money Moves.’" According to Ashby, the signal chain for Cardi B’s vocals were an Eden, using the ‘Forward’ Multi-voicing™ setting, Chandler Little Devil preamp, a touch of 80Hz roll-off on a Neve 551EQ, and an API 527 for compression.
Watch the video to Cardi B – Bodak Yellow (Money Moves) on YouTube
Find out more about the Lauten Audio Eden LT-386 Microphone
About Michael Ashby
Michael Ashby is a drummer who fell in love with audio recording after graduating high school. He is the owner of Krematorium Studio in Elmont, NY. He’s a graduate of the SAE Institute in NYC, and today is a respected next generation audio engineer who's engineered for multiple Grammy® nominated artists and producers. In addition to Cardi B, his credits include Melissa B, B Howard, BK Brasco, Josh X, Latoya Jackson, Anthony Xi, Fetty Wap, Exit 21 and many other top artists.
For more about Michael Ashby visit: https://www.ashbymix.com and www.thekrematorium.com
About Lauten Audio
Lauten Audio microphones have received rave reviews from both experienced recording engineers and leading Pro Audio magazines around the world. Based in California, USA, the company continue to carve out a unique niche for recordists seeking microphones with an original sound. The product line includes the flagship “Eden” LT-386, the award-winning “Oceanus” LT-381 transformer-less tube condenser microphone, and the FC-387 “Atlantis” solid-state Multi-voicing™ large diaphragm condenser microphone, plus the new cost-effective Series Black range.
Find out more about the Lauten Audio Signature Series Microphones
If you'd like to know more about any of the microphones produced by Lauten Audio, give us a call on 01727 821 870 to speak to one of our team or to arrange a demo.
You can also contact us here.