Chris Tsangarides

[elmuchoescadawg]

Earlier this week I went to spend an afternoon with Chris Tsangarides while he was working on the new Biomechanical album.
Hes a really friendly and accomodating guy and took timeout to show me loads of stuff from how his vortex technique works, which he demonstated with chopping boards, to how Coles ribbon mics with magnetically cling to his safe.

One of the most inspiring things I got from the trip was to do with the gear he uses. Despite the VTC console and the Radar system most of his outbaord was all the kind of gear most of us can afford. He uses quite a lot of TLA ivory series stuff (about £200 each off ebay) and has about 5 Yamaha Rev 500s. He has a few posh bits and pieces but not as much as you would think. He then played me some of his recent work (as if painkiller doesnt prove the point) and it sounded amazing.

I found the trip down there really inspiring and really drove home the fact that its not the gear youve got, its how you use it.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Exactly!!! Lucky you!!!

 

[metalkingdom]

Exactly!!! Lucky you!!!

+1

 

[Radd]

loads of stuff from how his vortex technique works, which he demonstated with chopping boards, to how Coles ribbon mics with magnetically cling to his safe.

vortex technique?
chopping boards?
with magnetically cling to his safe?

???

 

[ReliXKeepeR]

Tsangarides is amazing producer! His work with Judas Priest is... I don't know what to say about it!

It will be great if you can share with us EVERYTHING you saw him using and how is he using it! (if he doesn't mean, of course!)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Omega_Void]

vortex technique?

Hooray for Google.
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul01/articles/chris.asp
Interesting.

 

[AudioPhile777]

that vortex technique sounds fucking cool...

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

When I was down there Chris and John were doing edits on the album so there wasnt much actually happening at the time. The advantage of this was I wa able to ask questions and look round.

There were 2 custom guitar rigs that Id never seen before setup side by side in his live room, both miced with a single E609. it also looked like they had been played at the same time by the same player and at pretty low volume.

Speaking to Chris he said he likes the pre amps on the VTC console and apart from some TLA ivory gear I didnt see any other preamps around. I got the impression he runs everything straight through the board straight into Radar.

We spoke a bit about drum miking, Chris said some of his favorites are Neumann U47s (which he has 3 of) and uses them for overheads and bass drum. He also mentioned the Senheiser 441 is a favorite for snare. He uses the Coles ribbon mics I mentioned before for room ambience. Not sure what he uses for toms.

A few points that really range clear were that Chris doesnt have loads of top end gear, dont get me wrong hes got good gear but the racks of PCM91s I had expected werent there. Also he doesnt have as many mics as I would have thought. Just a few well chosen ones. It really pointed out that anyone can spend a fortune on top end gear but the thing that makes the difference is the user.

I also got to hear what its like to work with Randy Rhoads, Malmsteen and Gary Moore. Also heard a few bits about the making of Painkiller and all while being plied with tea and vegie burgers!!!

Oh and Chris if you logged on in the end feel free to register and chime in

 

[ReliXKeepeR]

Thank you very much for this! It looks like he's a nice guy.

And what did he say about Painkiller?

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

He was a really decent guy actually. From what I remember about what he said about painkiller, the guitars were set up pretty quitely and I believe he stripped down their rigs considerably for the sessions. Also told me that they played him demos done with a drum machine and the first thing he said when he heard them was great now you need a drummer who can play all that and they presented Scott Travis.

 

[jesterroot4]

Not sure what he uses for toms.

he used SM57's this week on my bands demo.
lol i just spent the week with him and like you've said, its amazing to see how he works and not just that, but the way he interacts with the musicians.

he's starring in a film 'Anvil' as the main producer that helps the band to success they deserved from the start. and apparently its spinal tap times a million. lol
what you realy have to try out is his R'N'R (Rock and Roll) Soup! the most amazing think any of us have eaten and 100% vegetarian.
The vortex is wicked, we used it on our demo and some of the pinch harmonics and well as sweeped natural ones just go fukin crazy all around the stereo field! sounds wicked! i'll let you guy know when our demo are up on myspace!

 

[Waterboy]

Dude!
You're name is Willis??
Well .... what are you talking about .... Willis?