Gloria Gaynor · Love Tracks, 1978
I Will Survive
8 sourced items across 5 sectionsVerified1Reported4Inferred3
What the sources do and do not say
Single Mix Classic Tracks article with engineer Jack Rouben recalling the 1978 sessions at Mom & Pop’s Company Store. Vocal chain is song-specific; kick and hi-hat miking is stated as what he used in those days, so it is general practice. Studio gear listed without a function (Harrison 32 console, 3M 24-track) and unnamed string mics were left out.
Lead vocal
2 items
Gloria Gaynor
Input chain
The real chain
Unidentified LA-4A
Verified
Compressor/limiter Rouben found to use on the vocal because the studio had few limiters.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Waves CLA-3A Compressor / Limiter
compressor
Models the LA-3A, the solid-state optical leveller from the same UREI line as the LA-4. Same circuit type; a different unit.
The real chain
Unidentified Echo chamber (model not stated)
Reported
Rouben recalls choosing the long one of the studio’s two echo chambers for this song’s vocal.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Universal Audio Capitol Chambers
reverb
A real echo chamber, the same method as the one on the record: a loudspeaker and microphones in a hard, empty room. It is not a model of this chamber, so set the decay by ear.
Guitar
1 item
Melvin Ragin
Amplifier
The real chain
Recorded direct (DI), no amplifier
Reported
Guitar was recorded direct at the live basics session.
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.
Bass
1 item
Amplifier
The real chain
Recorded direct (DI), no amplifier
Reported
Bass was recorded direct at the live basics session.
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.
Kick and hi-hat
3 items
James Gadson
Microphone
The real chain
Sennheiser MD 421
InferredUsual practice
Usual practice, not stated for this record: One of two kick drum microphone choices Rouben says he used in those days, the other being the AKG D112; which was used here is not stated. (recalled with uncertainty)
A suggestion, not a documented fact: Rouben describes what he used for kick in those days, without saying which was used on this song.
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. The MD 421 is still made.
The real chain
AKG D112
InferredUsual practice
The alternative kick drum microphone to the Sennheiser 421 in Rouben’s account of his usual practice then. (recalled with uncertainty)
A suggestion, not a documented fact: Rouben describes what he used for kick in those days, without saying which was used on this song.
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 D112 is still made.
The real chain
Neumann KM 84
InferredUsual practice
Usual practice, not stated for this record: Hi-hat microphone, as Rouben describes his miking in those days.
A suggestion, not a documented fact: Stated for “those days”, not tied to this song.
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.
Keyboards
1 item
Amplifier
The real chain
Recorded direct (DI), no amplifier
Reported
Keyboards were recorded direct at the live basics session.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. Recorded direct, so there is no amp to model. Leave the amp simulator off.
Sources
- Classic Tracks: Gloria Gaynor "I Will Survive", Mix, 2010-05-20. 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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