Franz Ferdinand · Album, 2004
Franz Ferdinand
7 sourced items across 5 sectionsVerified3Reported3Inferred1
This is an album-level record: the sources describe how the album as a whole was recorded, not one song. Where a detail belongs to a single song, the row says so.
Songs this record stands for: Michael, Take Me Out, The Dark of the Matinée, This Fire. We found nothing specific to these songs, so this album record is the closest account we have.
What the sources do and do not say
One Sound On Sound interview with producer Tore Johansson covers the debut album's sessions at Gula Studion, so this is an album record. The only song-specific statement is that almost all instruments on 'Take Me Out' went through a couple of echoes at the mix, but no unit is named, so it has no row. The BBC AM6/3 compressor is praised for snare use but not stated as used on the record, so it is omitted; drum mic rows are Johansson's habits, not tied to the album. The Mix 2009 and 2004 pieces concern other albums or live sound and were not used.
Lead vocal
3 items
Alex Kapranos
Microphone
The real chain
Sennheiser MD 421
Verified
Often used as the vocal microphone, with its bass roll-off filter engaged to give a thin sound to the compressors.
- Settings
- Bass rolled off using the filter on the microphone
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model. The MD 421 is still made.
Input chain
The real chain
Neve Compressor (model not stated)
Verified
First stage of double compression on the vocal, driven heavily so that it almost distorted.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Universal Audio Neve Dynamics Collection (33609)
compressor
Models Neve's diode-bridge compressors, the circuit the firm used from the 2254 to the 33609. The source does not name the model, so this stands for the maker's family of units: it is not a model of the one on the record.
The real chain
UREI 1176
Verified
Second stage of double compression on the vocal, after the Neve compressor.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
compressor
Models several revisions of the 1176, including the blackface units.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter (Models two 1176 revisions (blacky and bluey))
Guitars
1 item
Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy
Amplifier
The real chain
Selmer Valve combo amp (model not stated)
Reported
Alex Kapranos's old Selmer amp, used for most of his guitar parts and named as one of the two amps behind the guitar parts.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5
amp and cabinet simulator
An amp and cabinet simulator that covers a wide range of amplifiers and speaker cabinets of this kind. It is not a model of this unit, so pick the nearest one in it by ear.
Also worth a look 1
- Native Instruments Guitar Rig 7 Pro (An amp and cabinet simulator that covers a wide range of amplifiers and speaker cabinets of this kind. It is not a model of this unit, so pick the nearest one in it by ear)
Bass
1 item
Robert Hardy
Amplifier
The real chain
Fender Bassman
Reported
Bassist Robert Hardy's Bassman 100, named with the Selmer as the amps used for the guitar parts.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 7 Pro
amp and cabinet simulator
Its Tweedman amp is modelled on the Fender Bassman.
Also worth a look 1
- IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 (Includes Fender-style tweed amp models; an official Bassman model is sold as an add-on collection)
Drums
1 item
Paul Thomson
Microphone
The real chain
Sennheiser MD 421
InferredUsual practice
Usual practice, not stated for this record: A pair doing double duty as tom mics and overheads in his minimal drum mic setup.
A suggestion, not a documented fact: The source describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. Microphone-modelling plugins only work with their own matched hardware microphone, so there is no plugin to link. Placement and the room matter more than the model. The MD 421 is still made.
Tracking medium
1 item
Input chain
The real chain
MCI JH16
Reported
Two-inch 16-track tape machine that the band's material was first recorded to.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines
tape
Models two Studer machines, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder (Models a Studer A800, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape)
Sources
- Recording Franz Ferdinand, Sound On Sound, 2004-06. Accessed 15 Nov 2026.
What the ratings mean
Stated by the engineer, producer or artist, or by the manufacturer.
Stated by a reputable secondary source.
An educated suggestion, not a documented fact.
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