Shakira – Hips Don't Lie - Bamboo (feat. Wyclef Jean)

Serge Tsai on the production of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie": "'I recorded Shakira with a Telefunken Elam 251 through a Neve 1073 mic pre, no EQ on the return in the mix, and only an LA2A on the insert. The reverb on her vocals was the S777, set to the small hall in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. There were certain words on which she didn't want any reverb, so we had to automate the reverb send on the SSL. The main reverb in the track was a delayed plate from the 960L, used in moderation. I don't like things that are overwhelmed by reverb. And I tell you one thing, I have not heard a plug-in sound as good as the 960L. It's a crazy box.'"

Serge Tsai on the production of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie": "'I recorded Shakira with a Telefunken Elam 251 through a Neve 1073 mic pre, no EQ on the return in the mix, and only an LA2A on the insert. The reverb on her vocals was the S777, set to the small hall in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. There were certain words on which she didn't want any reverb, so we had to automate the reverb send on the SSL. The main reverb in the track was a delayed plate from the 960L, used in moderation. I don't like things that are overwhelmed by reverb. And I tell you one thing, I have not heard a plug-in sound as good as the 960L. It's a crazy box.'"

Serge Tsai on the production of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie": "'I recorded Shakira with a Telefunken Elam 251 through a Neve 1073 mic pre, no EQ on the return in the mix, and only an LA2A on the insert. The reverb on her vocals was the S777, set to the small hall in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. There were certain words on which she didn't want any reverb, so we had to automate the reverb send on the SSL. The main reverb in the track was a delayed plate from the 960L, used in moderation. I don't like things that are overwhelmed by reverb. And I tell you one thing, I have not heard a plug-in sound as good as the 960L. It's a crazy box.'"

Used on Shakira vocals for "Hips Don't Lie".

Serge Tsai on the production of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie": "The only plug-ins I used on Shakira's vocals were the Renaissance De-esser, just to get rid of any high sibilance above 4k and smooth things out, and the Renaissance Compressor, which is set very gently, with quite a long release of 50.2. It's not capturing a lot, because the threshold was way up at 1.6. The Renaissance and LA2A are pretty much doing the same thing, but I added the LA2A more for warmth. With digital recording you try to add as much warmth as you can."