The Cars · Album, 1978
The Cars
9 sourced items across 4 sectionsVerified6Reported3
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: Good Times Roll, Just What I Needed, My Best Friend's Girl. 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
Single Mix Classic Tracks article (Blair Jackson, first published 1998), read in full. It is mainly about the album sessions at Air Studios, so all rows are album-level; the only song-specific remark is the journalist saying the Moog is prominent on this track. No mics, preamps or settings are named. The Neve 8000 console is listed in the control room with no stated function, so it is omitted.
Rhythm guitar
1 item
Ric Ocasek / Elliot Easton
Amplifier
The real chain
Unidentified Guitar amplifier (model not stated)
Verified
Either Ocasek's or Easton's amp was miked in the corridor doorway to keep its sound off the drum mics, giving the chugging guitar sound.
- Position
- Lying on its back in the doorjamb between the corridor and the studio, with a mic up in the air
Source: Mix, 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
Benjamin Orr
Amplifier
The real chain
Recorded direct (DI), no amplifier
Reported
Bass was recorded direct rather than through an amp.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. Recorded direct, so there is no amp to model. Leave the amp simulator off.
Drums and snare effects
4 items
David Robinson
Instrument
The real chain
Unidentified Syndrum
Reported
Supplied Syndrum textures that were among the ornamental touches that made the album hard to mix.
Source: Mix, 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.
Input chain
The real chain
Stephens 40-track 2-inch tape machine
Verified
Multitrack recorder brought over from Los Angeles and used for the album instead of the studio's own machine, leaving spare tracks for vocal and guitar stacks.
Source: Mix, 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)
Mix effects
The real chain
Auratone Auratone speakers
Verified
Played back a gated snare during the mix so that the air movement could trigger Synare pads taped on top.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. Used for listening back, so it is not part of the recorded signal. There is nothing for a plugin to stand in for.
The real chain
Unidentified Synare pads
Verified
Pads taped on top of the Auratones that were triggered by the speaker cone's air movement each time the snare hit.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
u-he Diva
instrument
A general analogue-style synthesiser that can make the same oscillator, noise and filter-sweep drum sounds. It is not a model of the Synare, and the source does not say which Synare was used.
Keyboards
3 items
Greg Hawkes
Instrument
The real chain
Vox Continental
Verified
One of the old keyboards in Hawkes's rig, which he set up in the control room and recorded direct.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Arturia Vox Continental V
instrument
An emulation of the Vox Continental organ.
The real chain
Farfisa Farfisa organ (model not stated)
Verified
One of the old keyboards in Hawkes's rig, which he set up in the control room and recorded direct.
Source: Mix, 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
Moog Moog synthesiser (model not stated)
Reported
Small old Moog in Hawkes's rig; the article notes it is prominent on this song.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Arturia Mini V
instrument
A Minimoog emulation, so it has the Moog oscillators and ladder filter. The source does not say which Moog was played, so it is not a model of the instrument on the record.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Moog Minimoog (Moog-approved Minimoog emulation with the same oscillators and ladder filter. The source does not say which Moog was played, so it is not a model of the instrument on the record)
Sources
- Classic Tracks: The Cars’ “Just What I Needed”, Mix, 1998-04. 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.