Guitar virtuoso Julian Lage trusts his touring and studio engineer, Mark Goodell, to capture the full scope of his extraordinary talent. As a Grammy-nominated artist with Blue Note, Julian has collaborated with Brooklyn-based engineer/producer Mark Goodell on numerous tours and album projects. Goodell, known for his expertise in jazz, folk-Americana, and indie rock, currently utilizes a range of TELEFUNKEN microphones, including dynamic and small-diaphragm condenser mics.
Goodell owns several TELEFUNKEN models, including the M81-SH, M81, M80, M82 dynamic mics, and M60 condenser mics. He shares, “The M81 and M81-SH are staples in my mic locker. On tour and in the studio with Julian, I use M81-SH mics on the front and back of his Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe, with polarity reversed. While I use additional mics in the studio to add tonal variety, the M81-SH has been my go-to mic for Julian’s guitar amp for years.”
Reflecting on his experience with TELEFUNKEN mics, Goodell recalls, “I first came across Telefunken mics in 2008 while working with the Connecticut-based band Bronze Radio Return. I’ve been using them ever since. Telefunken was very supportive of bands, allowing us to try out mics on the road. I was impressed by their sound, build quality, and their ability to withstand the rigors of touring. They were reliable and dependable night after night, delivering great sound.”
Goodell continues, “Their durability still amazes me. Even after years of being in flight cases, I rarely encounter issues with them on tour. This reliability extends to the studio—whether it’s a dynamic M81 or a large diaphragm ELA M251, they are consistently well-built and dependable, making them an easy choice for any project.”
The consistent performance of TELEFUNKEN mics has proven invaluable across various venues and studios. Goodell explains, “Onstage, the M60 condensers are my go-to for drum overheads. They offer a natural response without excessive high-end emphasis, which I love. I push the faders up, and it sounds like a real drum kit. When there are no drums on a show, they become my preferred choice for audience mics for nightly archival recordings. They capture the sound of the audience in a room, requiring little EQ to sound realistic and musical.”
In the studio, Goodell adds, “I use TELEFUNKEN mics for room mics or on acoustic instruments due to their natural and musical response. They consistently deliver reliability both sonically and technically. I rarely have issues with noise, hums, or buzzes, even after being knocked around in flight cases on tour.”
TELEFUNKEN’s dynamic mics are known for their versatility, and Goodell elaborates, “The M81-SH is my go-to for electric guitars. One of the key aspects of working with Julian is ensuring the emotional depth of his playing is captured effectively. I’ve tested several other mics on his amps, but they often sound clinical or sterile, lacking the energy and emotion Julian imparts through his playing. I’ve used two M81-SH dynamics on Julian’s guitar amp for years, one on the front and one on the back (with reversed polarity). Adding a mic on the back of the amp is an old studio technique to capture additional low-end from a smaller speaker. Combining both mics enhances the low/low-mid response, helping to convey the emotional energy Julian expresses through his music. In the studio, I continue using the same M81-SH mics I use on tour, adding a few others to capture different tonal qualities depending on the song and direction.”
Goodell also highlights the interplay between guitar and drums in live performances and recordings, “I use the M81-SH on drums, paired with the M60s as overheads. The snare top, rack toms, and floor toms all get an M81-SH, and the M80 is used on the snare bottom for added snare clarity. The M81-SH’s clip options make them perfect for touring with different backline drum kits each night. Depending on the music style, I’ll use the M82 for kick drums or low-end sources like bass amps or Leslie speakers. In the studio, the M82 works well with bass amps, and the M81 is a reliable vocal mic option I always carry.”
Goodell further elaborates on the differences between live and studio miking, saying, “I try to maintain a similar approach to miking in both live and studio settings. A band on stage is like a band recording in the same room without isolation. I consider how each instrument and mic will interact, making decisions based on those dynamics. I aim to deliver the same emotional and audio quality from the album to the live setting. My experience working with artists in both environments allows for seamless collaboration, ensuring the emotional energy of the music translates, whether recorded or performed live. Having equipment that sounds excellent and is durable allows me to carry what I use in the studio into the live environment, ensuring consistency and quality at every show.”
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