Dom McLennon at TELEFUNKEN “Live From The Lab”
Acclaimed rapper and music producer Dom McLennon, co-founder of the multi-Platinum music collective Brockhampton, returned to his Hartford, Connecticut hometown to perform a “Live From the Lab” set at the TELEFUNKEN microphones Headquarters in nearby South Windsor. The band’s performance was tracked with a full complement of the company’s microphones, and the hi-res audio and video performance can be seen here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJhEUz_1gmvDA4SU11Obm5rbGexBD_qYe
Dom McLennon’s “Gym Hours” in performance with the TF47
microphone at TELEFUNKEN Soundstage. Photo by Adam Lukowski.
“When I perform and record with Telefunken microphones, it’s the closest to what I really sound like, just straight off the mic, no effects, nothing artificial,” says McLennon. During his performance, he used both the industry popular M80 handheld dynamic mic as well as the large diaphragm TF47, a modern vacuum tube design with a deep low end and a forward midrange that is ideal for capturing vocals.
Now working independently, McLennon’s singer/songwriter career has expanded to embrace his hometown musical community, leading production classes and mentoring about new ways to build a long-lasting music career. McLennon’s goal is to help inspire creativity and teamwork with his friends at his Creative Campus & through his new creative agency, Court Vision.
McLennon’s journey post-Brockhampton highlights his return to his roots in Hartford, Connecticut, and his renewed focus on community and independent artistry. After experiencing the structured environment of major labels, where creative freedom often faces constraints, McLennon has chosen move forard as an independent artist. His latest project, released March 2024, showcases a a collaboration with local musicians and artists from his hometown. This move not only emphasizes his commitment to nurturing local talent but also serves as a way to love beyong the barriers imposed by the mainstream music industry.
“I’m down for people to be inspired by what I got going on and try it for themselves.
But they don’t have to do what I’m doing. They can try whatever makes sense for them. And I want to encourage them to try that rather than trying to be like me or live like me.”
“Finding the right microphone is essential in building a sound that can sustain an entire long-range career,” McLennon explains. “With Telefunken mics, specifically with the TF47, it feels transparent and warm. And that warmth coupled with transparency means it doesn’t have to be over compensated for in a mix, which can add extra mud into the vocal where you’re trying to take frequencies out of the beat. That’s my casual engineering perspective.” In addition to tracking final studio vocals on the TF47, McLennon also likes to walk around with an M80 when writing in the studio for demo vocals.
“I like to have my recording process be as close to the performance process as possible,” says McLennon. “There was a time when I was recording demos, and I would record on a handheld mic just so that I could walk around the room while I recorded. It made it feel like how it would be when I perform. I would study that and learn how to do that standing still.”
McLennon’s fresh and unmistakable sound projects an optimistic, though sometimes ominous “anti-cynical” musical style, taking a post-modern approach to rapping, writing and producing. His music has gained popularity through a unique compilation of original sounds, combining inspiration from the styles before him with those of the current progressive generation. McLennon embodies a creative passion that creates an original sonic experience in the ever-changing hip-hop and alternative music world.
“Once again, the choice of vocal microphones is central to the work I do,” McLennon adds. “For me, personally, the TF47 captures my chest voice really, really well. A lot of other microphones go for the head voice, which I understand because that’s where the character of most people’s voice comes from. But I feel when I’m doing performance vocals, not just talking, this mic captures that warmth of the chest voice really well, while still getting the clarity of the head voice at the same time.”
Additional TELEFUNKEN microphones and direct boxes used for the performance include: M82 on kick, floor tom and bass amp, M81-SH on toms, TF11 on overheads, M60 on hi-hat and ride, TF17 on kick, TF47 on vocals and saxophone, ELA M 260 on piano, TDP-2 on keyboard and drum pad, and the TDP-1 and TDA-1 utilized on guitars.
The multitrack audio files from these sessions are available for free download at livefromthelab.net. All audio files are presented in .WAV format and were recorded at 24bit / 48KHz sample rate. They are clearly labeled in the same format with the source listed first (LEAD VOX, ACOUSTIC, PIANO), followed by the microphone used (TF47, M80, etc.) and can be downloaded and imported into your Digital Audio Workstation of choice.
The LIVE FROM THE LAB music video series is recorded and filmed at TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik’s facility in South Windsor, CT. Each session is tracked live exclusively with TELEFUNKEN microphones and features performances from a variety of local, regional, national, and international artists and ensembles.
For more additional content visit:
Executive Producer Toni Fishman; Engineered & Mixed by Ryan Reault; Directed by Adam Lukowski; Videography by Nick Sonsini, Adam Lukowski, Adam Yorio, Derek Yorio; Creative Direction by X; Lighting by Kevin Zito; Edited by Adam Lukowski; Soundstage Manager: Scott Medeiros
ABOUT TELEFUNKEN
TELEFUNKEN Elektroakustik strives for absolute perfection. By offering historic recreations of classic microphones alongside their own proprietary designs based around the distinctive tube mic sound, TELEFUNKEN has established a product line that expertly combines vintage style and sound with the reliability of a modern-day microphone design. TELEFUNKEN’s commitment to both the sonic excellence and quality of all of their products is rivaled only by their dedication to provide the best possible service to their customers. http://www.telefunken-elektroakustik.com
