Re-creating Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody

The Oscar-winning biopic Bohemian Rhapsody pushed Queen back into the collective consciousness and exposed a whole new generation to the band. With the renewed interest in the British rock powerhouse, it got Sweetwater Studios thinking, “Can we do a near-note-by-note re-creation of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’”? It’s a complex song with different movements and lots of layers, but the challenge of remaking the classic was irresistible — so the team set out to tackle the project.
What makes “Bohemian Rhapsody” so special?
“Bohemian Rhapsody” is an ambitious blend of rock and opera that comes together to make something so truly unique that you can’t forget it. After its initial success in 1975, the song had been somewhat forgotten until it provided a headbanging soundtrack to the opening minutes of Wayne’s World. The song served as a stark contrast to the grunge and alternative music of the early ’90s, and it was hard to ignore its grandiosity, so it became a hit again in 1992.
When Freddie Mercury and Queen originally created the song, many parts were experimental. The band was essentially making it up as they went. According to guitarist Brian May, it took three weeks to record — and it was a wild ride. The experimentation pushed the song in new and exciting directions, with many of these sonic adventures making it into the song. But all this experimentation also makes a note-for-note redo that much more challenging.
“Can we re-create ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’? Do you think we could do it?”
When Sweetwater Studios Vice President of Operations/Senior Producer/Engineer Mark Hornsby asked this one simple question, it struck a nerve with the studio staff, and a whole new project was launched. Before long, they were all determined to do whatever it would take to re-create the complex sounds of the original “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and the project quickly took on a life of its own.
The gear that helped make the magic happen.
Telefunken microphones were an obvious choice for this project. Their microphones were studio staples in the ’60s and ’70s and used for every aspect of the recording. While it would’ve been great to have Brian May’s original guitar pushing a modified vintage Vox AC30 into sweet sustain, that wasn’t an option. Guitarist Don Carr conquered this with an off-the-rack Fender Stratocaster with custom Seymour Duncan Tri-Sonic pickups and wiring feeding into a stock AC15 with a TC Electronic Spark boost pedal providing an extra push to get into May territory. Backbeat duties were handled by the DW Roger Taylor “Queen Crest” ICON snare. These things, along with a top-notch roster of performers and engineers, got this ambitious project completed.
Recognized by fans and critics alike
Not only has Bohemian Rhapsody been a box office smash with Queen fans new and old, but the critics have fallen in love with the film as well. Among the accolades received are four Oscars (Best Actor, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound Editing), two Golden Globes, two BAFTA Awards, and a single Screen Actors Guild Award. The band was already an established member of rock royalty (pun mildly intended), and this recent attention has merely cemented their status as influential legends. If you haven’t already seen it, Bohemian Rhapsody is currently available on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital. Check it out!
“When you think of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ don’t remember the song you’ve heard on the radio a thousand times. Instead, think about it as individual parts, voices, instruments, microphones, and technology, and gain an appreciation of all the things that go into making it the special thing it really is.” — Mark Hornsby
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