The new self-titled album from “A-Z” reunites Fates Warning lead vocalist Ray Alder and former Fates Warning drummer Mark Zonder during Covid lockdowns from across the world and adds Steve Vai bassist Philip Bynoe, Prog Metal guitarist Joop Wolters, and keyboard synthesist Vivien Lalu.
Tracked entirely with Lauten Audio microphones, the new album was captured remotely, with each member recording in their respective home studios.
Lead vocalist Ray Alder has strong feelings for the Lauten Audio LA-320 after choosing it for his personal studio in Spain.
“I love that it can be warm and crisp at the same time. It keeps the true vocal sound, is a very well-built microphone, and it sounds great. I'm very happy with it.”
Drummer Mark Zonder also had high praise for his extensive personal collection of Lauten Audio mics
“You can basically just put them up in a traditional drum micing arrangement, and they just sound true and very accurate. Another great point is that they can really take the explosion of a hard hit, whether kick or snare and not even flinch.”
The new “A-Z” album was mixed by Domination Studio’s Simone Mularoni, who instantly recognized a distinctive sound to the recordings.
“The tracks were awesome, clean, and punchy. I recall being especially impressed by how the snare and the vocals were perfectly balanced in their frequency spectrum. I was really happy with the detail of every track, especially the drums. I remember slamming the drum [tracks] with tons of compression to achieve that ‘over the top' sound and also with vocals and bass, but the tracks ‘took’ the processing beautifully—so again, an easier job!”
LAUTEN AUDIO MICROPHONES AND PREAMPS USED:
KICK – Atlantis into a Neve 33115
SNARE (Top/Bottom/Aux Snares) LS-208 into a Neve 33115
HI HAT – LA-120 into a Calrec PQ14s
RIDE – LA-120 into a Calrec PQ14s
TOMS – LS-308 into a Summit Element 78
OVERHEADS – LA-120 into a Manley Dual Mono Preamp-Summit Dual Program EQ
MONO OVERHEAD – Oceanus into a Summit Element 78 [over snare]
ROOM MICS – 2x Atlantis into a Summit Audio TPA200B
VOCALS – LA-320 into a Presonus Studio 24c
BASS – Atlantis and DI
GUITARS – Neural DSP
KEYS - DI
Though the record was recorded and produced remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic by A-Z band members from around the world, the tracks meld together effortlessly to form a new and cohesive progressive sound that is distinctly A-Z.
The new self-titled album from A-Z is available now on Vinyl, CD, and via all major streaming platforms. For more information on A-Z and Metal Blade Records, visit: https://www.metalblade.com/a-z/