Radiohead – OK Computer

Mentioned in this Russia Beyond article.

The MK-012 microphone, created in 1996, remains a flagship product for Oktava. This microphone was used by Radiohead lead singer and guitarist Thom Yorke, who used it during the recording of the OK Computer album in 1997.

Used for some vocals on OK Computer, as stated by producer Nigel Godrich in this interview from the August 1997 issue of The Mix (as archived by Radiohead fansite Citizen Insane).

Vocals were recorded alternately with a Neumann valve 47, and an Australian Rode valve mic, through a Urei 1176 compressor, and a Pultec valve EQ on a few things.

"With months of hindsight, I actually think the Australian mic is a bit too bright, but if it's a good performance, that's it. Maybe the vocal sound suffered from the fact that it was occasionally just thrown down, but I don't think so."

The mic is not explicitly mentioned, but it can be deduced. Røde's first tube/valve microphone was The Classic, which was reissued as The Classic II in 1999. The first reviews for Røde's second tube/valve microphone, the NTV, were also in 1999. Since OK Computer preceded the release of both the NTV and The Classic II, one can determine that the mic used was The Classic.

Used for vocals on OK Computer, as stated by producer Nigel Godrich in this interview from the August 1997 issue of The Mix (as archived by Radiohead fansite Citizen Insane).

Vocals were recorded alternately with a Neumann valve 47, and an Australian Rode valve mic, through a Urei 1176 compressor, and a Pultec valve EQ on a few things.

"With months of hindsight, I actually think the Australian mic is a bit too bright, but if it's a good performance, that's it. Maybe the vocal sound suffered from the fact that it was occasionally just thrown down, but I don't think so."

Thom is shown here playing a Yairi DY-88.

Jonny used the Korg Prophecy in the studio version of "Lift", he also used it in the live concerts, as shown in the source, you can see Jonny playing the Korg Prophecy at minute 2:23.

Jonny's Korg Prophecy was the band's "secret weapon" during the "Ok Computer" sessions between 1995-1998. Besides using the Prophecy on "Lift", it was also used on the studio version of "Airbag" and "Climbing Up The Walls", on these tracks he used it as an attempt to emulate an Ondes Martenot (that's why when he got a real Ondes Martenot he got rid of the Prophecy before the Kid A/Amnesiac sessions). You can also see the Prophecy in action in live performances of the tracks "Talk Show Host", "Planet Telex", and "Paranoid Android" (the latter he only used it once live) between 1996 and 1998.

In this photo from the band’s 1997 Glastonbury performance, an Akai S3200XL can be seen in the top space of each of Jonny’s two racks. On tour, they were used to reproduce the sounds of Jonny’s Mellotron M400, which he sampled onto the units.

The MTA-980 Mixing Desk Console is confirmed to be used by music producer Nigel Godrich, as evidenced by a photo taken in the control room at St Catherine’s Court during the recording of Radiohead's "OK Computer." The image, sourced from a scan of Godrich's 1997 interview with The Mix by citizeninsane, clearly shows the MTA-980 on the right side.

A photo of music producer Nigel Godrich using the Soundcraft Spirit Live 24 mixer can be seen in the control room at St Catherine’s Court during the recording of Radiohead’s "OK Computer." This image is sourced from a scan of Nigel’s 1997 interview with "The Mix," provided by citizeninsane.

Mr. Selway played Premier drums since the OK Computer era through The King of Limbs album and tour, when he switched to Gretsch drums.

Acquired in July, 1995. During Fender’s 2014 “A Conversation with Radiohead’s Ed O'Brien” interview, Ed said that he bought the guitar in San Francisco in the week after the band finished their tour with REM. Originally fitted with three gold lace sensors. Ed replaced the white pickguard with a black one. As with his original Squire Strat, the guitar was a favorite of Ed’s and a key part of Ed’s setup – especially for use on songs with many effects.