How It Was Recorded

Panic! at the Disco · A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, 2005

The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage

Lead vocalAcoustic guitarsCello, percussion and mixReported8

What the sources do and do not say

A single Mix session write-up for this song, with producer, engineer and mixer Matt Squire quoted in places. The gear statements are the journalist's narrative, so all rows are reported. Squire's private vocal setting is not disclosed, and the Waves plug-in settings are not given.

Lead vocal

Brendon Urie

Microphone

Rode NTV

Reported

Microphone used for Brendon Urie's vocal.

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

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

API 512B

Reported

Preamp at the start of the lead vocal chain, feeding the compressor.

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Close match

Universal Audio API Vision Channel Strip Collection

channel strip

Models the channel strip of API's Vision console, whose preamp comes from the same family.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Empirical Labs Distressor

Reported

Compressor on the lead vocal, between the preamp and Pro Tools.

Settings
Set to Opto

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Emulation of this unit

Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

compressor

Model of the Distressor made with Empirical Labs.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Also worth a look: Empirical Labs Arousor (Empirical Labs' own plugin, built on the Distressor design rather than copying one unit).

Mix effects

Waves Renaissance Compressor

Reported

Plug-in compressor giving the final processing on the vocal.

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Waves Renaissance Compressor

compressor

The plugin used on the record.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Acoustic guitars

Microphone

Rode NTV

Reported

Microphone Squire used on the various acoustic guitars.

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

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.

Cello, percussion and mix

Microphone

Rode NTV

Reported

Microphone Squire used on the cello and several percussion instruments.

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

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

Avid Pro Tools

Reported

Recording system for the project (Pro Tools|HD).

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

The plugin used on the record

Avid Pro Tools

DAW

The DAW used on the record.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Mix effects

Trident 70 Series

Reported

Console the project was mixed through at Squire's studio.

Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026

Close match

Trident Audio Developments 80B EQ (Trident Digital Edition)

equaliser

Models the EQ of the Series 80B, the sibling desk Trident launched in the same year; it is not the Series 70's own EQ.

Get the plugin ↗What else it stands in for

Sources

  1. The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage Panic At The Disco, Mix, 2006-04. Accessed 15 Nov 2026.
Verified

Stated by the engineer, producer or artist, or by the manufacturer.

Reported

Stated by a reputable secondary source.

Inferred

An educated suggestion, not a documented fact.

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