"Don't Fear The Reaper" (Mix Analysis)

Music
Engineer	Shelly Yakus
Producer	Sandy Pearlman
Mixing Engineer(s)	Shelly Yakus and Sandy Pearlman
Mastering Engineer(s)	Tony Stevens
Studio Recorded	Record Plant (NYC)
Studio Mastered	?

Overall, the mix is very reverb heavy. The drums sometimes get a little lost. The overall levels of the mix climax in the section where the guitar solo kicks in. Sounds good for the era. I feel it could use a little more cowbell though.

When the song was mixed, Shelly Yakus claims it was “worked from the top down.” They started with the voice, then the guitar, then added the drums and rhythm elements. Each instrument was submixed and then ran through pieces of gear from different generations. This helped them achieve some interesting sounds. For the song’s signature guitar solo, they daisy chained channels on a 4-track tape machine so it could be used as a delay.

The vocals weren't performed by the band's primary vocalist. They were recorded by guitarist, Donald Roeser.
The vocals were sent through a Pultec EQ and LA-2A compressor, then went straight to tape.

Since most of the effects were achieved with vintage equipment, it may be hard to replicate the same feel with the gear we have here. However, the Yamaha multi-effects unit has some reverb effects that might get us close to that sound.

The thing that makes this track well-mixed is that overall feel. The reverb gives it a certain ominous ambience that fits the songs theme and lyrics.

Producer and mixing engineer, Sandy Pearlman, has an impressive catalog of work. As well as working on Every Blue Oyster Cult album, he has also worked on albums for bands like The Dictators and The Clash. 

Mix Analysis

:01 - Signature Guitar Riff starts, Panned Left, lot's of delay and reverb

:04 - Second Guitar kicks in, Panned Right

:06 - One hi-hat hit

:07 - Drums, cowbell

:14 - Vocals, multiple lower harmonies

:16 - Organlike instrument begins to swell

:27 - Left guitar begins playing single note son the beat.

:34 - Second vocal track "call and response". Multiple tracks with effects and panned.

:35 - Right Guitar kicks in with signature riff

:47 - Lead Guitar 

:50 - Multiple Vocals track harmonies

Information Sources:

http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/blue-oyster-cults-dont-fear-reaper/index.html