Michael Jackson – Thriller
The music gear and equipment used by the artists, producers, engineers, and more involved in the making of the 1982 album Thriller.
Music from Thriller
Gear Used On Thriller
Explore the instruments, equipment, software, and production tools used in the making of Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982). Click more on each item to see exactly how it was used.
Keyboards and Synthesizers used by Michael Jackson on Thriller
In the section of the source URL's page called THEN: "The Vintage Keys of Thriller" by Michael Boddicker, the studio engineers working with MIchael Jackson are said to have used a Synclavier.
Quote: "The “Beat It” digital gong. Tom Bähler played a demo sound that came with his Synclavier — literally a factory patch, right out of the box." Although referred to simply as a "Synclavier", the accompanying image is apparently of a Synclavier II.
Avg price: $55,770.09
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."
Avg price: $3,454.70
In the section of the article “THEN: The Vintage Keys of Thriller” (by Michael Boddicker) included in the source URL describing the “P.Y.T.” synth noodle that answers the chorus vocal: “That was a Roland Jupiter-6 “wang bar”-style pitch bend doubled with, and controlling, a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, thus the sort of smear you can hear on the “wobble” between the top two notes.”
Avg price: $19,535.25
In the section of the article “THEN: The Vintage Keys of Thriller” (by Michael Boddicker) included in the source URL describing the big synth blasts that begin “Thriller.”: "A Roland Jupiter-8 in double four-voice mode, with the modulation “wheel” opening the filter."
Avg price: $4,729.63
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.
Avg price: $7,343.45
Anthony Marinelli, programmer on Michael Jackson's 1982 album "Thriller" has stated the synth bass ostinato in the 1983 single "Thriller" was performed and programmed on his Tonus ARP 2600 and disproven any previous speculation as to whether or not this sound was performed on a Minimoog.
Microphones used by Michael Jackson on Thriller
Avg price: $7,209.28
In the Sound on Sound article "Bruce Swedien: Recording Michael Jackson," it's noted that a Neumann U67 microphone was used during the recording sessions for Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."