Kelly Clarkson · Breakaway, 2004
Walk Away
5 sourced items across 2 sectionsVerified3Reported2
What the sources do and do not say
Single source: Mix's 2006 session write-up of this single. It covers the vocal chain in detail but gives no drum, guitar or keys gear, only that Maida re-recorded the drums with Cameron Webb. The console row comes from the credit box and has no stated function beyond being the console; a reviewer may wish to drop it, which would take the record below the five-row bar. The Pro Tools HD and Dynaudio BM6 entries in the credit box were left out as too thin to quote.
Lead vocal
4 items
Kelly Clarkson
Microphone
The real chain
Korby Audio Technologies The Convertible
Verified
Vocal microphone system that Maida singled out as the secret weapon of the vocal session; its 251-style capsule was the one he praised on Clarkson's voice.
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
Neve 1081
Verified
Preamp in the simple vocal chain used to record Clarkson at King Noise.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Neve 1081 Channel EQ
equaliser
Model of the 1081 channel EQ, made with AMS Neve.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves V-EQ4 (Waves' model of the 1081 EQ)
The real chain
Pultec EQP-1
Reported
Equaliser in the vocal chain used while recording Clarkson; the article gives no settings or purpose.
Source: Mix, 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.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves PuigTec EQs (EQP-1A and MEQ-5) (Models Jack Joseph Puig's Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5)
The real chain
Teletronix LA-2A
Verified
Compressor on the vocal, used only lightly because Clarkson largely compresses herself; Maida chose it over an 1176 for its slightly warmer sound.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection
compressor
Universal Audio owns the Teletronix name; this is its own model of the LA-2A.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter (Models an LA-2A from Chris Lord-Alge's collection. Cheaper and runs without UA hardware)
Tracking console
1 item
Input chain
The real chain
API Console (model not stated)
Reported
Console listed in the session credits for this single; the article says nothing further about its use.
Source: Mix, 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.
Sources
- Walk Away: Kelly Clarkson, Mix, 2006-03-01. 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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