Kool & the Gang · Album, 1980
Celebrate!
7 sourced items across 3 sectionsReported7
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: Celebration. We found nothing specific to this song, so this album record is the closest account we have.
What the sources do and do not say
Mix Classic Tracks with engineer Jim Bonnefond. Most equipment statements describe the Celebrate sessions at House of Music generally and are album-level; only the octave Strat part is tied to this song. Studio gear lists (MCI console, Studer A80, 1176s) were left out because no function on this song is stated.
Lead and backing vocals
3 items
James "J.T." Taylor
Microphone
The real chain
Neumann U 87
Reported
Neumann 87s were used to record the lead and backing vocals on the album sessions.
Source: Mix, 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.
Input chain
The real chain
UREI 1176
Reported
1176 compressors were used on the lead and backing vocals, which were recorded with 87 microphones, on the album sessions.
Source: Mix, 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))
The real chain
MCI Console preamps (500 Series, model not stated)
Reported
The MCI console's own preamps amplified the lead and backing vocal microphones on the album sessions.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Metric Halo MBSI Channel Strip
channel strip
Models the channel strip of a custom MCI desk built for Criteria Studios in the 1970s, so it is the same maker's sound. It is not a model of the desk on the record.
Drum kit
2 items
George Brown
Microphone
The real chain
AKG D12
Reported
Bonnefond recalls an AKG D-12 on the kick drum for the band's basic tracks.
Source: Mix, 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 real chain
Sennheiser MD 421
Reported
Bonnefond recalls a Sennheiser 421 on the snare drum for the band's basic tracks.
Source: Mix, 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.
Horns
2 items
Microphone
The real chain
Neumann U 87
Reported
A Neumann U87 was used on trumpet in the horn overdubs on the album sessions.
Source: Mix, 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 real chain
Neumann U 47 fet
Reported
A Neumann FET 47 was used on trombone in the horn overdubs on the album sessions.
Source: Mix, 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.
Sources
- Classic Tracks: Kool & The Gang's "Celebration", Mix, 2001-01-01. 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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