History of Microphones Used By Drake

Studio Gear

Jan 21

*Unveiling the various microphones used by Drake throughout his career.*

In the dynamic world of music production, an artist's choice of equipment plays a pivotal role in shaping their sonic identity.

One such artist who has consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity and innovation is none other than Drake.

Renowned for his versatile musical style and chart-topping hits, Drake's journey through the music industry has been accompanied by a carefully curated selection of microphones that have become integral to his distinctive sound.

In this blog post, we delve deep into the fascinating realm of audio technology, tracing Drake's footsteps through the various phases of his illustrious career.

From the early days of mixtapes to the chart-topping albums that have defined an era, each microphone chosen by Drake tells a unique story of artistic evolution and sonic exploration.

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Summary:

Below we summarize what microphones Drake has used over the years of his career.

Microphones Used By Drake:

Debut Album: Neumann TLM 103 - Used to record all the vocals on Drake’s break-out album “So Far Gone” released in 2009.
Scratch Vocals: Neumann U87 - Used to record a rough vocal track to help set the vibe of the song.
Studio Vocals: Sony C800G - Used to record final vocals in a controlled studio environment.
Control Room Vocals: Shure SM57 - Used to record vocals in the mixing room.

Want A Sony C800G But Don’t Have $10,000?

What if you could mimic the sound of a $10,000 microphone for less than $300?

Introducing the Axino Synergy Core.

The Axino is a USB microphone that has been meticulously crafted to emulate 18 iconic microphones used by stars in the music industry, including the Sony C800G.

Not only does the Axino come extremely close to replicating the air and sheen of a real C800G, but can also emulate 17 other famous microphones.

Also included are 10 emulations of classic hardware effects including:

Compressors
EQs
Preamps
Dynamic Processors

Besides all that, being designed as an all-in-one recording solution, the Axino also features:

High-quality headphone DAC - increased sound quality and headphone volume
-10 dB attenuation pad
High pass filter switch
Gain control knob
Headphone volume knob

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for the sound of a C800G but can’t afford one, the Axino is your best bet. Plus, with all the included effects and the fact that it’s a USB mic, you won’t need many additional accessories to start recording professional vocals.

Check Price

In-Depth History Behind Drake’s Microphones

Before we venture into the microphones Drake has used throughout his career, it’s important to first meet his producer, Noah “40”.

Who Is Noah “40”?

Behind every great artist is an equally talented producer. For Drake, that producer is Noah “40”.

A professional producer’s role consists of:

Pre-production Planning:

Collaborate with artists to understand their vision, goals, and musical style.
Assist in song selection and arrangement, offering input on structure and composition.

Recording and Studio Management:

Oversee the recording process, ensuring technical quality and optimal performance.
Manage studio sessions, including scheduling, coordination of musicians, and equipment setup.

Sound Engineering:

Handle technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering to achieve the desired sound.
Use expertise in sound engineering to enhance the sonic quality of the final product.

Instrumentation and Arrangement:

Contribute to musical arrangements, suggesting changes or additions to enhance the overall sound.
Provide guidance on instrument selection and placement within the composition.

How Did Drake and Noah “40” Meet?

In 2005, Noah heard one of Drake’s songs and instantly wanted to work with him. When Noah returned to his condo in Toronto that evening, he told his roommate Oliver “Yo I gotta find this guy.”

To Noah’s surprise, Oliver had met Drake and exchanged numbers with him (Oliver worked at Lounge, a popular fashion store across the street from MuchMusic where many famous artists have performed).

After several phone calls, Drake and Noah finally connected and Noah agreed to be Drake’s engineer and run his studio sessions.

4 expensive studio sessions later, the pair decided to record at Noah’s condo to avoid paying studio fees.

As they got to know each other, they found that they had a lot in common, especially both having grown up as child actors.

Oliver stuck around too and his skills in business and networking led to the trio founding their own record label: OVO (October’s Very Own).

From 2005 to 2007 Drake, Noah, and Oliver produced two mixtapes (Room for Improvement and Comeback Season), but it wasn’t until 2009 that they had their big break.

The Mic Behind So Far Gone

Drake & Noah “40” recording *So Far Gone* in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Drake’s mixtape So Far Gone was the smash hit OVO was waiting for. Lead singles “Best I Ever Had” and “Successful” propelled Drake into the limelight and launched him onto his illustrious path to superstardom.

With this kind of early success and mass appeal, it’s hard to believe that the album was recorded, mixed, and mastered in a hotel room.

Rooms 713 and 718 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel were their studio. They used blankets and pillows to build “fort-style” recording rooms, along with a short list of modest accessories:

What Microphone Does Drake Use Now?

After making millions of dollars, Drake and Noah “40” have seriously upgraded their studio.

The microphones they use now include:

Neumann U87 - Used to record scratch vocals while building new songs and laying down the general vibe of the track.
Sony C800G - One of the most expensive microphones in the world. Used to record final vocals in an acoustic-treated isolation booth.
Shure SM57 - The only affordable mic on the list. Used to record vocals in the mixing room. I believe they opted for this affordable dynamic mic for this scenario because the mixing room lacks the isolation of the booth and the dynamic nature of the mic helps reduce and eliminate unwanted background sounds. Plus, the SM57 is a staple in music production in professional studios worldwide.

What Other Gear Does Drake Use?

Drake using his Aston Halo at home overlooking Toronto Tower.

Drake with a Sony C800G mic and Audio Technica M50X headphones.

Isolation Shield: Aston Halo Reflector - Drake uses a Halo for recording in his home in Toronto.
Headphones: Audio Technica M50X - these affordable headphones are also used by Beyonce.
DAW: Pro Tools

Conclusion:

Throughout Drake’s career, he’s used primarily 4 microphones to capture his iconic sound.

Known for crisp details and ultra-clarity, the Sony C800G helps accomplish this, but with a price tag of $10,000, it’s out of reach for most of us.

If you want a microphone that almost identically emulates the sound of the C800G, look into the affordable Axino Synergy Core.

However, the motto “started from the bottom” is pretty true in Drake’s case, making his first hit album in a hotel room with a modestly priced Neumann TLM 103.

Although a microphone is a crucial component to success as a musician, you don’t have to spend a fortune. At the end of the day passion, persistence, and practice will unlock more doors in your musical career than any microphone will.

Thanks for reading.