The wall of sound

There are countless examples in the history of music that one could and should study when it comes to creating a signature sound. There’s one however that I’ve found particularly inspiring: Phil Spector and his famous ‘wall of sound’.

This was a recording technique that Spector and his crew developed in the 1960s, and the idea was to create a full and intense aesthetic that would come through well on the radios and jukeboxes of the time. The technique was applied heavily on many iconic recordings of the era including Be My Baby by The Ronettes, and River Deep, Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner. It sounded like nothing else and went on to influence and shape the way popular music would become.

The technique involved lots of overdubbing, editing, and clever use of reverb and microphone spill to create a dense atmosphere. The different instruments would diffuse and blend into one another. Spector would even do things like have the musicians play the same thing over and over for hours in order to tire them out and lose individuality. The resulting effect is very special and instantly recognisable. What could you do to create your own wall of sound?