Prince and The Revolution · Parade, 1986
Kiss
7 sourced items across 4 sectionsReported6Inferred1
What the sources do and do not say
One Sound On Sound Classic Tracks article (June 2013) with engineer David Z, covering the Mazarati version of 'Kiss' and Prince's takeover. Console rows are narrative (reported) and say only which studio each stage happened in; the article does not state mic or amp details for the guitar or kick. The RMX16 remark is partly a general habit with Prince but is tied to this song's lack of bass.
Lead vocal
1 item
Prince
Microphone
The real chain
Sennheiser MD 441
InferredUsual practice
Usual practice, not stated for this record: The engineer thinks Prince was into using this microphone around that time.
A suggestion, not a documented fact: David Z describes this as usual practice; it is not stated for this record.
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.
Gated acoustic guitar
1 item
David Z
Instrument
The real chain
Unidentified Acoustic guitar (model not stated)
Reported
Open chords were played on it and gated to the hi-hat trigger, giving the rhythmic guitar pulse.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. A guitar is the source of the sound, not a process applied to it. No plugin stands in for it.
Drum programming and kick
3 items
David Z
Instrument
The real chain
Linn LinnDrum
Reported
Used to programme the beat that David Z built the Mazarati version of the track on.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Aly James Lab VProm
drum instrument
An emulation of Linn's LM-1 and LinnDrum, built around their sound chips.
Mix effects
The real chain
Unidentified Delay unit (model not stated)
Reported
A hi-hat from the drum machine was run through it, switching between input and output to create a rhythmic effect.
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
AMS RMX16
Reported
The kick drum was sent through it, with its tail extended, so the kick doubled as the bass in place of a bass guitar.
- Settings
- Reverse 2 setting
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.
Studio consoles
2 items
Input chain
The real chain
Neve 8088
Reported
Console in Sunset Sound's Studio 2, where David Z engineered the Mazarati recording of the song.
Source: Sound On Sound, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Waves NLS Non-Linear Summer
console emulation
A console-summing plugin that includes one Neve desk. It gives a Neve flavour, not this console's channels.
The real chain
API DeMedio-modified API console (model not stated)
Reported
Console in Sunset Sound's Studio 3, where Prince recorded his overdubs on the track.
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.
Sources
- Classic Tracks: Prince 'Kiss', Sound On Sound, 2013-06. 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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