The Doobie Brothers · Minute by Minute, 1979
What a Fool Believes
6 sourced items across 3 sectionsVerified2Reported4
What the sources do and do not say
Single Mix Classic Tracks article by Robyn Flans built on McDonald's recollections. It names few pieces of gear: the console, tape machines and 1176 are album-level, and the U87 is a hedged journalist statement. No microphones, amps or processing are given for the drums, bass or guitars.
Lead vocal
1 item
Michael McDonald
Microphone
The real chain
Neumann U 87
Reported
Most likely the microphone used for the lead vocal, according to the article's wording; McDonald is unsure whether the vocal was cut live. (recalled with uncertainty)
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.
Opening riff and synth parts
2 items
Michael McDonald
Instrument
The real chain
Steinway 7-foot grand piano
Verified
Acoustic piano that played the opening riff.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Arturia Piano V
instrument
A modelled piano instrument. It is not a recording or model of this particular piano.
The real chain
Oberheim 8-voice analog synthesizer
Verified
Analogue synthesizer that accompanied the piano on the opening riff.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Close match
Arturia SEM V
instrument
Models the Oberheim SEM. The Four Voice and Eight Voice are built from several SEM modules.
Recording chain (Amigo Studio A)
3 items
Input chain
The real chain
API Console (model not stated)
ReportedAlbum sessions
Recording console in Amigo Studio A, where the Doobie Brothers cut all their tracks for the album.
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.
The real chain
3M 2-inch 24-track tape machine (model not stated)
ReportedAlbum sessions
Tape machines on which everything for the album was recorded.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines
tape
Models two Studer machines, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder (Models a Studer A800, not this recorder. It gives the general behaviour of analogue multitrack tape)
The real chain
UREI 1176
ReportedAlbum sessions
Album sessions, not stated for this song: McDonald recalls it as an example of the outboard compressor/limiter gear used in the sessions, though he does not remember the specific outboard used.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Emulation of this unit
Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
compressor
Models several revisions of the 1176, including the blackface units.
Also worth a look 1
- Waves CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter (Models two 1176 revisions (blacky and bluey))
Sources
- Classic Tracks: The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes", Mix, 2004-05-01. 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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