A five-time Grammy Award-winner, Al McKay is a guitarist, songwriter and producer. Best known as former lead guitarist for the American funk band Earth, Wind & Fire, McKay has writer and producer credits for the hit songs September and Boogie Wonderland.
As an ode to his earlier career, Al McKay Allstars is a 14-piece ensemble that performs a set dubbed The Earth Wind & Fire Experience at major jazz festivals throughout the world. Baker's first interaction with DPA Microphones was with the company's d:vote Instrument Mics, which are well-suited to the group's jazz and funk music. Initially equipping the horn section, Baker has been upgrading the rest of the band with DPA mics.
"DPA Microphones first came to my attention through our horn player Luis Gonzalez, who had previous experiences using the products," says Baker. "DPA mics have a very good reputation in the industry, but, for me, hearing is believing. We first used the d:votes on the horn section during a sound check for a show in Japan and it was such a dynamic difference from what I was used to hearing. I always thought the horn section sounded great, but something about the d:votes just made them sound even better."
As a result of the clarity and presence that he got from the d:vote 4099s for the horn section, Baker was curious to see how DPA's d:facto Vocal Mics would work with the McKay Allstars' dynamic singers. "DPA microphones are very intuitive, which is almost counter-intuitive for a seasoned engineer," he explains. "After a little finessing, I was able to get the exact sound I wanted. I just removed the previous EQs and compression, and then it was a whole new ball game."
(Jim Evans)
