USA for Africa · We Are the World, 1985
We Are the World
18 sourced items across 5 sectionsVerified2Reported16
What the sources do and do not say
Single Mix Classic Tracks article on Humberto Gatica, read in full. Only the piano microphone rows are in his own words; the rest is the journalist reporting. Not stated or left out: the Neve model, the model of the M50 room mics (maker not given), Sennheiser room mics (no model), and any settings beyond the hi-hat pad. The Mix page shows a 2026 date but says the piece first ran in July 2020.
Choir and lead vocals
4 items
USA for Africa artists
Microphone
The real chain
Schoeps Microphone (model not stated)
Reported
Placed close to the choir singers to give definition to the group 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.
The real chain
AKG C 12
Reported
Six vintage mics set in a horseshoe for the lead vocal lines, with about three soloists sharing each.
- Position
- Six mics in a horseshoe, about three people per mic
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
Trident Console (model not stated)
Reported
Control-room console Gatica sat at for the choir recording at A&M.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Softube Trident A-Range
equaliser
Models the EQ of Trident's A-Range, the firm's first and best-known desk. The source does not name the model, so this stands for the maker's family of units: it is not a model of the one on the record.
Also worth a look 1
- Universal Audio Trident A-Range Classic Console EQ (Models the EQ of Trident's A-Range, the firm's first and best-known desk. The source does not name the model, so this stands for the maker's family of units: it is not a model of the one on the record)
The real chain
Custom Custom microphone preamp (built by Eduardo Fayed)
Reported
Custom mic preamp made by a friend of Gatica, used for the choir session.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. A one-off preamp built by hand for the engineer; nothing about its circuit is documented, so no plugin can fairly stand in for it.
Bass
3 items
Louis Johnson
Amplifier
The real chain
Recorded direct (DI), no amplifier
Reported
Bass recorded direct into the console with no amplifier.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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No plugin suggested. Recorded direct, so there is no amp to model. Leave the amp simulator off.
Input chain
The real chain
GML Equaliser (model not stated)
Reported
Equalised the direct bass signal.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Covers this kind of unit
Massenburg DesignWorks MDW Parametric EQ
equaliser
George Massenburg's own parametric EQ plugin, the same clean parametric design as GML's hardware equalisers. The source does not name the model, so this stands for the maker's family of units: it is not a model of the one on the record.
The real chain
Teletronix LA-2A
Reported
Compressed the direct bass signal.
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)
Drums
6 items
John J.R. Robinson
Microphone
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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. The SM57 is still made and inexpensive: the real thing is the practical route.
The real chain
AKG 452
Reported
Hi-hat microphone, padded so the hi-hat sounded smooth rather than aggressive.
- Settings
- 20 dB pad
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.
The real chain
Shure SM57
Reported
One of two top snare mics, taped together with the KM84 at parallel angles so they could not move.
- Position
- Top of snare, parallel to the KM84, taped together
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.
The real chain
Neumann KM 84
Reported
Second top snare mic, taped together with the SM57.
- Position
- Top of snare, parallel to the SM57, taped together
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 real chain
Shure SM57
Reported
Snare bottom microphone.
- Position
- Underneath the snare, at an angle
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.
The real chain
AKG C 12
Reported
Used for the overheads, a left and right pair plus a third on the ride cymbal.
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.
Piano
2 items
Greg Phillinganes
Microphone
The real chain
AKG 414 E
Verified
Close pair on the piano that gave definition.
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.
The real chain
AKG 452
Verified
Pair placed under the raised lid of the piano to add air and space.
- Position
- Under the raised lid, one on the right side and one on the left
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.
Tracking and mix console and recorders
3 items
Input chain
The real chain
Neve Console (model not stated)
Reported
Console in Studio A at Lion Share where the rhythm tracks were cut.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
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Approximate
Waves NLS Non-Linear Summer
console emulation
Adds the summing character of three desks, one of them a Neve. The source does not name the console model, so this is only a family resemblance.
The real chain
Mitsubishi 32-track digital tape machine (model not stated)
Reported
Part of the equipment Studio A at Lion Share contained, where the rhythm section was cut.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
No plugin suggested. A digital recorder. Your DAW does this job, so no plugin is needed to stand in for it.
Mix effects
The real chain
Neve Console (model not stated)
Reported
Console used for the mix at Lion Share.
Source: Mix, accessed 15 Nov 2026
Get the sound · our suggestion
Approximate
Waves NLS Non-Linear Summer
console emulation
Adds the summing character of three desks, one of them a Neve. The source does not name the console model, so this is only a family resemblance.
Sources
- Classic Tracks: USA For Africa’s “We Are the World”, Mix, 2020-07. 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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