Ariana Grande Vocal Chain ($22,000) – Mic, Preamp, Plugins & Effects Used in Studio
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Grammy-winning engineer and producer Joe Gallagher, known for his work with Ariana Grande, Usher, Kehlani, H.E.R., and more, recently shared the exact vocal chain he used to record Ariana Grande’s vocals on her hit song “In My Head.” In this article, we’ll break down every piece of gear and plugin used in the chain—step by step—so you can learn how to recreate that polished, airy, and emotional vocal sound in your own sessions.
Certainly! Here’s the complete vocal chain used by Joe Gallagher for recording Ariana Grande’s vocals on “In My Head,” with each component listed in order and linked to Sweetwater for your convenience:
🎤 Microphone
Telefunken ELA M 251E Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone
A legendary microphone known for its rich, detailed sound, ideal for capturing expressive vocals.
🎚️ Preamplifier
Neve 1073SPX Microphone Preamp and EQ
Classic British preamp offering warm, punchy tone with a musical EQ section.
🎛️ Compressor
Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Classic Leveling Amplifier
An iconic optical compressor delivering smooth, natural compression, perfect for vocals.
💻 Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
Pro Tools
Industry-standard DAW for recording, editing, and mixing audio.
🎶 Pitch Correction
Antares Auto-Tune EFX+ Pitch Correction and Vocal Effects Plug-in
Real-time pitch correction with additional vocal effects and creative tools.
🎚️ Equalization
Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Plug-in Collection
Emulates the classic Pultec EQs, adding warmth and presence to vocals.
🎛️ Compressor
Waves Renaissance Compressor Plug-in
A versatile compressor that combines analog-style warmth with digital precision, offering both vintage Opto and modern Electro compression modes.
🎚️ Equalization
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 EQ and Filter Plug-in
Versatile EQ offering precise control over frequency content.
🎛️ Multiband Compression
Waves C4 Multiband Compressor Plug-in
Provides dynamic control across multiple frequency bands for a balanced vocal sound.
🔥 Distortion
Waves Manny Marroquin Distortion Plug-in
Adds harmonic richness and character to vocals.
🎛️ Vocal Manipulation
Soundtoys Little AlterBoy Voice Manipulator Plug-in
Offers pitch and formant shifting for creative vocal effects.
🌊 Reverb
Waves Manny Marroquin Reverb Plug-in
Provides a range of reverb effects tailored for vocals.
🔈 Stereo Imaging
Waves PS22 Stereo Maker Plug-in
Enhances stereo width and spatial imaging of mono sources.
🌌 Reverb
LiquidSonics Seventh Heaven Reverb Plug-in
Emulates the Bricasti M7 (Flex verb is almost the same) hardware reverb for lush, realistic spaces.
⏱️ Delay
Soundtoys EchoBoy Analog Echo Plug-in
Versatile delay plugin offering a wide range of echo styles.
🎚️ Stereo Enhancement
Soundtoys MicroShift Stereo Width Plug-in
Adds subtle pitch shifting and delay for stereo widening effects.
📊 Total Estimated Cost Of The Vocal Chain
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Hardware Total: $11,995.00 (Microphone) + $1,795.00 (Preamplifier) + $5,999.00 (Compressor) = $19,789.00
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Software Total: $599.00 (DAW) + $199.00 (Pitch Correction) + $299.00 (EQ) + $29.99 (Compressor) + $179.00 (EQ) + $34.99 (Multiband Compressor) + $29.99 (Distortion) + $99.00 (Vocal Manipulation) + $34.99 (Reverb) + $29.99 (Stereo Imaging) + $299.00 (Reverb) + $199.00 (Delay) + $129.00 (Stereo Enhancement) = $2,161.95
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Grand Total: $19,789.00 (Hardware) + $2,161.95 (Software) = $21,950.95
Templates: Simplify Your Workflow
Finally, if you’re looking to speed up your workflow, consider using templates. Whether for recording vocals or starting your production sessions, templates save you time and effort. If you’re curious about the templates used by top producers, check out my store for some great options.
Thanks for reading! If you found this guide helpful, make sure to subscribe to my blog for more free resources, tips, and soon-to-be-released sample packs and loops to help you level up your music production.