According to news this week, "Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Matthew Koma, known for collaborations with artists including Zedd, Shania Twain, and P!nk, recently produced his wife Hilary Duff’s latest album, luck… or something. Across this project and others, including work with his band Winnetka Bowling League, Koma has consistently turned to the AEA R88 stereo ribbon microphone as a core part of his recording process, using it to capture a sense of space, depth, and natural stereo imaging."
Koma told MC that, "I'm always on the hunt for new gear and instruments because I hate getting comfortable. As soon as I feel like I'm leaning on a default set of tricks, I want something that pushes me in a different direction. The R88 has become one of those rare pieces that keeps inspiring new ideas every time I use it."
According to a statement, "When it came to luck… or something, Koma and Duff set out to revisit the sound that defined her early career, drawing inspiration from the bright, organic pop productions of the early 2000s while reinterpreting them through a modern lens. Much of the record's character, Koma notes, came from the musicians involved, including drummer Griffin Goldsmith, whose performances helped bring clarity and energy to each track. To capture that balance of organic instrumentation and contemporary production, Koma leaned heavily on the AEA R88 throughout the recording process. The microphone became a central part of his setup, used across a wide range of sources in each session."
“I use it on absolutely everything,” said Koma. “As a room mic for drums, on acoustics, piano, organ, and even background vocals. I love how it captures a room. It gives everything such dimension, air, and width.”
"To complement the R88, Koma pairs it with AEA’s RPQ3 preamp and EQ, using the combination as a consistent front-end throughout his sessions," the statement continues.
“I can’t imagine using the R88 without the RPQ3,” he says. “It has a way of gaining the mic without adding any intrusive noise. And the EQ has a ton of character. I love it on acoustics. That chain is pure magic.”
luck… or something is available now on all major streaming platforms. Listen here: https://hilaryduff.lnk.to/luckorsomething
Photo credit: Brynn Osborn
