Rick Springfield · Working Class Dog, 1981
Jessie's Girl
9 sourced items across 3 sectionsVerified8Reported1
What the sources do and do not say
Single Mix Classic Tracks article (June 2013 issue) with Keith Olsen and Chris Minto. The vocal chain and mixdown are Olsen's song-specific account; the guitar rig is Minto's description of the sessions and is marked album-level. No drum or bass gear is named.
Lead vocal
5 items
Rick Springfield
Microphone
The real chain
AKG 414 (variant not stated)
Verified
Microphone on Rick Springfield's lead vocal.
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 8028
Verified
The vocal went through a Neve microphone preamp in the Sound City console.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Universal Audio Neve 1073 Preamp & EQ Collection
preamp and EQ
Neve 80-series desks of this period were fitted with 1073-family preamp and EQ modules. This models the module, not the whole desk.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves Scheps 73 (Another model of the 1073 module from the same family of consoles)
The real chain
Dolby Vocal expander (model not stated)
Verified
The vocal was split, with a quarter of the signal coming from Olsen's Dolby vocal expander and the rest from the straight preamp.
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
Neve 33609
Verified
The blended vocal went through one channel of a Neve compressor on its way to tape.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Neve Dynamics Collection (33609)
compressor
The collection includes a model of the 33609 stereo compressor.
The real chain
Studer A80 16-track or A800 24-track (not decided)
Reported
The vocal was recorded to a Studer multitrack, which Olsen believes was either an A80 16-track or an early A800 24-track.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder
tape
Made with Studer as a model of the A800 multitrack.
Guitars
3 items
Neil Giraldo
Amplifier
The real chain
Marshall 100-watt custom amplifier (model not stated)
VerifiedAlbum sessions
Album sessions, not stated for this song: One of Giraldo's custom 100-watt guitar amps, recorded in stereo.
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)
The real chain
Countryman Amplifier (model not stated)
VerifiedAlbum sessions
Album sessions, not stated for this song: The second type of amp in Giraldo's stereo guitar rig.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
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)
Microphone
The real chain
Shure SM57
VerifiedAlbum sessions
Album sessions, not stated for this song: Microphone used alongside the AKG 451s on Neil Giraldo's guitar amps.
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 SM57 is still made and inexpensive: the real thing is the practical route.
Mixdown
1 item
Mix effects
The real chain
Studer A80 2-track half-inch
Verified
The song was mixed down to a Studer two-track half-inch machine.
- Settings
- 30 ips
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
Emulation of this unit
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines
tape
Models a Studer A827 multitrack and an A80 mastering machine.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder (Models the related Studer A800)
Sources
- Classic Tracks: Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl", Mix, 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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