neil mathis's List: Pharrel Williams "HAPPY"

• The song was made for the Universal Pictures animated movie Despicable Me 2, itself such a staggering success that it has become the fourth highest‑grossing animated movie of all time.
• The song was arranged and recorded by Andrew Coleman and Mike Larson at Circle House Studios in Miami, Florida.
• They sent the session over to Leslie Brathwaite, who mixed it in his fully in‑the‑box studio at Music Box Studios in Atlanta, which is owned by eminent hip‑hop recording artist and producer Akon.
• Another factor in Brathwaite's decision to move to Music Box was that he was ready to finally part ways with his beloved SSL desk and go for a 21st Century DAW‑only approach.
• "The other reason for going into the box is the UAD plug‑ins, which give me the warmth and depth in the sound that I'm after.
• "All I use in my mix room now is my Pro Tools rig with a UAD Satellite, and some other plug‑ins — I'm big on Waves plug‑ins as well — and my speakers. My monitors of choice are my Focal Twin6 BEs, which I use together with the Focal Sub6 sub. I love them.

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