Michael Jackson – Bad 25th Anniversary

In the section of the source URL describing The “Human Nature” signature synth string part, quote:

"That was Steve Porcaro’s track. He used a Yamaha CS-80 with glide (chromatic instead of portamento) at the head — it’s got that nice little CS fuzz around the sound. That fuzz was also part of a multi-layered sound I used for the four-chord basic string vamp on “Billie Jean” — Michael Jackson himself played that part on a CS-80 in one take."

The synth basses on “Thriller,” “P.Y.T.,” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” Those were my two Richie Walbourn-modified Minimoogs, set side by side, with engineer Bruce Swedien’s special multiple-mono compression.

Michael Jackson frequently used the Telefunken ELA M 251 E microphone for lead vocals, including on "We Are the World" and "Another Part of Me." In the "Bad Sessions" footage, Bruce Swedien's vintage Telefunken 251 E is shown, highlighting its use by various artists, including Stevie Wonder and Jackson himself.

When Noel Lee brought in his New 'Cable' Bruce Swedien was a bit Sceptical - But after hearing the whole Studio Line replaced with Studio Pro 1000 Cable both Bruce Swedien, Michael Jackson & Quincy Jones were all blown away with the impact & it was decided to Record, Mix & Master the whole Album on Studio Pro 1000 Monster Cable - That was the 'Bad' Album & MJ kept that as his Standard forever after on ALL Albums until his death

Michael Jackson used Monster Cable Studio Pro 2000 Micro 20 microphone cables during the recording, mixing, and mastering of his "Bad" album. According to an account on Amazon, when Noel Lee introduced these cables, both Michael Jackson and his collaborators, Bruce Swedien and Quincy Jones, were impressed by the sound quality. As a result, Jackson adopted Monster Cable as his standard for all subsequent albums until his passing.

In this YouTube excerpt or any footage of Spike Lee's 'Bad' Movie showing the actual Behind The Scenes Studio Sessions of the Bad Album especially here with Michael Jackson & Stevie Wonder collaborating & recording keep-able vocals on "Just Good Friends" recorded in 1987 - Michael Jackson can be seen using his usual favorite Fostex T20 Headphones

Michael Jackson usually used & is usually seen in most actual studio sessions in the 1980's right up till his passing wearing the Fostex T20 when Tracking Vocals as it was his favorite to use on most sessions vocally

Michael Jackson has also in the 1980's been seen frequently using the Classic AKG K141 & at times the AKG K240 & the newer Sony MDR-7506... Of course whatever Headphones are found in most Top Studios is what is usually used but he had a pattern of using these particular Headphones especially the Fostex T20 right into his last days