How The Beatles Recorded Bass in 1967

Video with Clay Blair from Boulevard Recording showing how Geoff Emerick recorded bass during The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band sessions.

Music and recording played by: Clay Blair
Video and editing by: Scott Ditrich

[TheRobWay]

I read an interview where Paul was asked who his favorite bass player was and his answer was “Me. I think I can say that?” I always loved that answer

[bills]

What an ear this guy has for distinguishing the nuances of bass tones.

[gnumusik]

I miked a drum set like that, and when I was mixing, a drummer friend happened to stop by, and he had George Harrison with him. No lie. As they listened, the reactions were palpable. George loved the sound (it was on a drum kit) but I had no idea at that time that Geoff Emerick used a similar routine. On bass. Thank you for a very refreshing look at recording history!

[Bbendfender]

Loved the Beatles bass guitar sound. Paul is an outstanding bass player.

[welkerroad]

Man. I was straight up lost in that song along with that bass groove. So good. Then all of a sudden, the volume dropped, you started talking again, and I realized my trip had come to an end.

[demonicsweaters]

I actually think Paul is one of the best bassists of all time. He's such a mammoth talent in every way, people sometimes forget to mention just how good a bassist his is.

[philfyphil]

McCartney was a master on the bass. One of the very best, such interesting bass lines which stood out without hogging the show.

[EricCraigMusic]

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge on this and other recording techniques that may otherwise be lost arts. Keep on sharing.

[Arrayarr]

So good to hear a bass that sounds like a damn BASS. Well done!

[nickfanzo]

One of the best bass players ever, Sir Paul.

[kellylewis]

Love this. I always loved the way the bass sounds on Beatles records. I't's interesting to hear how it was created. Love seeing your studio. I'm not a musician but it looks like it would be a place musicians would like to work in.

[andrewpridmore]

my brain changed when I listened to Revolver on LP with headphones. Holy Tone. Holy. Tone. Bass. Love it.

[BigBri]

One of Jimmy Page's favorite sayings about studio mic technique is "distance creates depth." He was also fond of keeping mics at a good distance from an amp or drums to capture some ambience and a sense of roominess.

[simongarrettmusic]

fucking love everything about this - love that bit at the end, 'commit to something... ...this would be it and we would live with it." :D

[darkhorse]

This is beyond awesome. Thank you for making this!

[baselinesweb]

Great video - The demo of the room sound on the bass was eye opening.

[paulbadoo]

"Paul-muting" . Great video! Thanks!

[andyhinds]

My favourite bass part of any Beatles song are the two notes either side of the first verse (i.e. notes 4 and 5 in the entire song) in "roll on Magical Mystery Tour. You listen and each note is accompanied by a very subtle click and echo which I absolutely love and can't get enough! I don't know why but it's something that's totally intrigued me since I was 15.

[rafaelcarmany]

That Boulevard Studio has a Beautiful Room. I work out of the biggest room in Central California (Maximus Media - Fresno) and I love Big Rooms. Harkens back to the Golden Era of Recording - The Romance of it all. Thank you for the video. It's fun and informative.

[tomconklinvo]

Fantastic. I love all the little details of the Beatles music and how it was recorded. Thanks for the insight!