Red Hot Chili Peppers · Album, 2022
Unlimited Love
49 sourced items across 6 sectionsVerified30Reported19
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: Black Summer. 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
Two-page Secrets of the Mix Engineer interview with Ryan Hewitt about Unlimited Love, read in full. It is mostly about the album's tracking and mixing, so rows are album-level. Black Summer itself is discussed only in a short closing section: four-piece live take with tambourine, Frusciante backing vocals and piano overdubs, and anthemic echoes at the end added with Frusciante's TC Fireworx (no other unit is tied to the song). Kiedis's final lead vocals were recorded in Hawaii and went to the computer, so the SM7 mention is the journalist's, not Hewitt's.
Lead vocal
9 items
Anthony Kiedis
Microphone
The real chain
Shure SM7
Reported
Named as the microphone for Kiedis’s lead vocals on the album.
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. Its successor, the SM7B, is still made.
Mix effects
The real chain
UREI 1176
Verified
Usually the first compressor in Hewitt’s lead vocal mix chain.
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))
The real chain
Unidentified Tube compressor (model not stated)
Verified
Followed the 1176 on the vocal; Hewitt says it could be an LA-2A, a Tube-Tech CL-1B or a Fairchild 660, without saying which was used where.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. The source does not name the model, so no specific plugin can be suggested.
The real chain
Pultec EQ (model not stated)
Verified
Vocal EQ placed after the compressors in the lead vocal chain.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Pultec Passive EQ Collection
equaliser
Models the Pultec EQP-1A, MEQ-5 and HLF-3C. The source does not say which Pultec was used.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves PuigTec EQs (EQP-1A and MEQ-5) (Models the Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5)
The real chain
GML EQ (model not stated)
Verified
Another vocal EQ in the lead vocal chain, after the compressors.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Massenburg DesignWorks MDW Parametric EQ
equaliser
George Massenburg's own parametric EQ plugin, the same clean parametric design as GML's hardware equalisers. 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
Empirical Labs DerrEsser
Verified
De-esser in the lead vocal chain, after the compressors.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Waves DeEsser
de-esser
A de-esser that turns down only the sibilant band of a vocal, the same job this module does; it is not a model of this unit.
The real chain
Empirical Labs Fatso
Verified
Parallel compression on the vocal to keep it forward in the mix.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Empirical Labs FATSO Tape Simulator
saturation
A plugin model of the Empirical Labs Fatso itself, made with the hardware's designer.
The real chain
Eventide H3000
Verified
Most consistent vocal effect, giving the lead vocal dimension and width.
- Settings
- Doubler setting or Micro Pitch Shift, plus and minus 12 cents
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Eventide H3000 Factory Mk II
multi-effect
Eventide's own plugin version of the H3000.
The real chain
Yamaha E1005
Verified
Analogue delay on the vocal that adds depth, volume and slight distortion.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Soundtoys EchoBoy
delay
A delay with bucket-brigade analogue modes, so the repeats darken and distort as the original's do; it is not a model of this unit.
Guitars
7 items
John Frusciante
Microphone
The real chain
Shure SM57
Reported
Named as one of two microphones on Frusciante’s electric guitar cabinets.
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 SM57 is still made and inexpensive: the real thing is the practical route.
The real chain
Neumann U 67
Reported
Named as the other microphone on Frusciante’s electric guitar cabinets.
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 real chain
Neumann U 47
Reported
One of several Neumann microphones named for Frusciante’s acoustic guitars.
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 real chain
Neumann U 67
Reported
One of several Neumann microphones named for Frusciante’s acoustic guitars.
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 real chain
Neumann KM 54
Reported
One of several Neumann microphones named for Frusciante’s acoustic guitars.
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.
Mix effects
The real chain
API 550
Verified
Used for guitar EQ at the mix alongside the console EQ.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Waves API 550
equaliser
Made with API as models of the 550A and 550B equalisers.
The real chain
Vacuvox Compressor (model not stated)
Verified
Sometimes used to compress the acoustic guitars at the mix.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. The source does not name the model, so no specific plugin can be suggested.
Bass
5 items
Flea
Microphone
The real chain
Electro-Voice RE20
Reported
Named as the microphone on Flea’s bass cabinet.
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.
Input chain
The real chain
Acme DI (model not stated)
Reported
Direct box for Flea’s bass.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. A DI box passes the signal on cleanly. Plug the instrument straight into your interface's instrument input.
Mix effects
The real chain
UREI 1176
Verified
Compressor on the bass after the amp and DI signals were bussed together.
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))
The real chain
Lang PEQ1
Verified
EQ on the bass, sometimes a tube version and sometimes a solid-state one.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Heritage Audio LANG PEQ-2
equaliser
Models the PEQ-2, the same maker's later solid-state programme equaliser; it is not a model of the PEQ-1.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves PuigTec EQs (EQP-1A and MEQ-5) (A valve programme equaliser of the same era and job, so it gives a similar broad low and high lift; it is not a model of this unit)
The real chain
dbx 160
Verified
Occasionally used instead of the 1176 on the bass for more aggressive, faster songs.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter
compressor
Made with dbx as a model of the original 160.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves dbx 160 Compressor / Limiter (Made with dbx as a model of the original 160)
Drums
12 items
Chad Smith
Microphone
The real chain
AKG D112
Reported
Named as the microphone on the inside of the kick drum.
- Position
- inside kick
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 D112 is still made.
The real chain
AKG D12
Reported
Named as one of two microphones on the outside of the kick; D12s are also named on the toms.
- Position
- outside kick
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 real chain
Neumann U 47 fet
Reported
Named as the other microphone on the outside of the kick.
- Position
- outside kick
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 real chain
Shure SM57
Reported
Named on the snare, top and bottom, with another 57 on the hi-hat.
- Position
- snare top and bottom; another on hi-hat
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 SM57 is still made and inexpensive: the real thing is the practical route.
The real chain
AKG C 12
Reported
Named as the overhead microphones.
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 real chain
Telefunken U47
Reported
Named among the room microphones.
- Position
- room
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 real chain
AEA R88
Reported
Named among the room microphones.
- Position
- room
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 real chain
Royer 121
Reported
Named among the room microphones.
- Position
- room
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.
Mix effects
The real chain
CAPI LC25
Verified
Used a lot as drum EQ; Hewitt says one of the LC25 and LC40 has good points for kick and the other for snare.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Waves API 560
equaliser
Models API's proportional-Q graphic equaliser, the early-1970s style of circuit this module is built after; it is not a model of the CAPI unit and has ten bands rather than five.
The real chain
CAPI LC40
Verified
Used a lot as drum EQ; Hewitt says one of the LC25 and LC40 has good points for kick and the other for snare.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Waves API 560
equaliser
Models API's proportional-Q graphic equaliser, the early-1970s style of circuit this module is built after; it is not a model of the CAPI unit and has ten bands rather than five.
The real chain
Empirical Labs Fatso
Verified
Gentle compression and some high-frequency attenuation on the drum overheads.
- Position
- overheads
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Empirical Labs FATSO Tape Simulator
saturation
A plugin model of the Empirical Labs Fatso itself, made with the hardware's designer.
The real chain
Undertone Audio Unfairchild
Verified
Sometimes used in the drum compression, named after the Fatso on the overheads.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Undertone Audio UnFairchild 670M II
compressor
Undertone Audio's own plugin model of the UnFairchild 670M II.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection (Models the original Fairchild 670 that the UnFairchild recreates)
Synths and keyboards
3 items
John Frusciante
Instrument
The real chain
Mellotron Mellotron (model not stated)
Verified
Used by Frusciante for overdubbed synth parts.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. The source does not name the model, so no specific plugin can be suggested.
The real chain
Yamaha DX7
Verified
Used by Frusciante for overdubbed synth parts.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Arturia DX7 V
instrument
An emulation of the Yamaha DX7.
Also worth a look 1
- Digital Suburban Dexed (A free, open-source DX7 emulation that loads original DX7 patches)
The real chain
Unidentified Modular synthesizer (model not stated)
Verified
Large modular used by Frusciante, also used to process single drum hits and horn stabs.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
VCV VCV Rack
instrument · free
A free virtual modular synth: separate oscillators, filters and envelopes patched by cable, as on the record. It is not a model of the modular used, which the source does not name.
Also worth a look 1
- Arturia Modular V (Models a Moog modular system, so it works by patching the same kinds of module. It is not a model of the modular used, which the source does not name)
Tracking, mix and effects
13 items
Input chain
The real chain
API 1969 console (model not stated)
Reported
The tracking console at Shangri-La, described as temperamental.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Universal Audio API Vision Channel Strip Collection
channel strip
Models the channel strip of API's Vision console, built from the same module family.
The real chain
Studer A827
Reported
Two machines were used to record the album to 2-inch tape.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines
tape
Includes a model of a two-inch Studer A827.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder (Models the A800, the A827's predecessor)
The real chain
Neve BCM10
Verified
Sidecar acting as preamps and summing for the drums and as a submixer during overdubs, mainly guitars.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Universal Audio Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection
preamp and EQ
Models the Neve 1073 preamp and EQ, the module type (with its 1066 sibling) that fills a BCM10's channels; it does not model the desk's summing.
Mix effects
The real chain
SSL 4064 G+
Reported
Console used for the final mixes at EastWest Studio 5.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Waves SSL G-Channel
channel strip
Made with SSL as a model of the 4000 G channel strip.
Also worth a look 1
- Solid State Logic SSL Native Channel Strip 2 (SSL's own channel-strip plugin, based on a later desk)
The real chain
Ampex ATR-102
Verified
Half-inch machine the final mixes were printed to.
- Settings
- 30ips, aligned +5dB over 185nWb/m, no noise reduction
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder
tape
Model of the ATR-102 mastering deck, made with Ampex.
The real chain
Alan Smart C2
Verified
Mix bus compressor with a wet/dry blend and sometimes a low-cut filter on its sidechain.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor
compressor
The C1 and C2 are bus compressors in the SSL style. This models the SSL G-series bus compressor, not the Smart unit.
Also worth a look 1
- Solid State Logic SSL Native Bus Compressor 2 (The C1 and C2 are bus compressors in the SSL style. This is SSL's own bus compressor plugin)
The real chain
Chandler Curvebender
Verified
Mastering EQ on the mix bus.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Chandler Limited Curve Bender Mastering EQ
equaliser
Made with Chandler Limited as a model of the Curve Bender.
The real chain
AMS RMX16
Verified
The main reverb at the mix.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio AMS RMX16 Expanded Digital Reverb
reverb
A model of the AMS RMX16 itself, built from the original algorithms with the extra programmes that could be loaded into the hardware.
The real chain
EMT Plate or digital reverb (EMT 250 or 140, not stated which)
Verified
Occasionally used as a reverb; Hewitt names the EMT 250 or the 140 plate without saying which.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio EMT 140 Classic Plate Reverberator
reverb
Models three EMT 140 plates at The Plant, Sausalito.
Also worth a look 1
- Soundtoys Little Plate (A simple EMT 140 model. Often free or cheap in sales)
The real chain
TC Electronic Fireworx
Verified
Frusciante’s unit, used a lot for delays and reverbs at the mix.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Eventide H3000 Factory Mk II
multi-effect
A studio digital multi-effects in which delays, filters, pitch and modulation blocks are patched together freely, as on this unit; it is not a model of this unit.
The real chain
Fulltone Tube Tape Echo
Verified
Occasionally used as an effect at the mix.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Soundtoys EchoBoy
delay
Includes Echoplex-style tape echo, the design the Fulltone follows. It is not a model of this unit.
The real chain
Lexicon PCM42
Verified
Also used as an effect at the mix.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Soundtoys PrimalTap
delay
Models the Lexicon Prime Time, the PCM42's predecessor, with the same kind of modulated digital delay.
The real chain
Burl Bomber B2
Verified
Converter used to transfer the mixes from tape back into Pro Tools.
- Settings
- 24-bit/96kHz
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. A converter between analogue and digital. Your audio interface does this job, so no plugin is needed.
Sources
- Inside Track: Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Black Summer', Sound On Sound, 2022-07. Accessed 15 Nov 2026.
- Inside Track: Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Black Summer' (page 2), Sound On Sound, 2022-07. 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.
Disclosure: plugin links currently go straight to the maker and earn us nothing. If that changes, affiliate links will be marked here. Suggestions are chosen on fit, never on commission, and are kept separate from the recording facts. More.