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Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Bon Iver. Every item links to its public source.
23 items · Last checked

What's in Bon Iver's studio?

Justin Vernon made For Emma, Forever Ago with a 1930s National Duolian, Pro Tools LE and one Shure SM57. He has called the Teenage Engineering OP-1 the most important instrument in his life since the guitar, and Sound On Sound reported he stacks vocals on a Shure SM7 with Auto-Tune. For Sable, Fable he has said he picked a $199 Ibanez V70CE over a vintage Martin.

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AllTop 5Synths and samplersVocalsFor Emma, Forever AgoGuitarsApril Base studioRecords that shaped him
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What gear Bon Iver uses: a sourced gear guide

Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.

Synths and samplers

9 items

Vocals

5 items

For Emma, Forever Ago

3 items

Guitars

1 item

April Base studio

3 items

Records that shaped him

2 items
Questions

About Bon Iver's gear.

What microphone does Justin Vernon sing into?

MusicRadar reports he recorded For Emma, Forever Ago with a single Shure SM57. For 22, A Million, mixer Zach Hanson told Sound On Sound that Vernon sits with an SM7 in front of him and stacks take after take, almost all with Auto-Tune.

What synth does Bon Iver use?

Justin Vernon has said the Teenage Engineering OP-1 is the instrument he works with most. Sound On Sound names a Korg M1, Yamaha DX7 and CS-50, Prophet-5, Prophet-6 and Prophet-600 and a Critter and Guitari Pocket Piano among the synths on 22, A Million.

What guitar did Bon Iver use on For Emma, Forever Ago?

MusicRadar says Vernon took a 1930s National Duolian resonator and a 1960s Silvertone archtop acoustic to the cabin, and that almost every song on the record was made with the Silvertone.

What is the Messina on 22, A Million?

Engineer Chris Messina told Sound On Sound it runs a voice through two Auto-Tune instances in Ableton Live into an Eventide H8000, which builds harmonies from the notes Vernon plays on a MIDI keyboard.

What DAW does Bon Iver use?

MusicRadar reports Pro Tools LE on For Emma, Forever Ago. Sound On Sound describes Pro Tools sessions at April Base for 22, A Million, with Ableton Live running the Messina vocal effect.

What records inspire Justin Vernon?

He told Guitar World that Bill Frisell's Good Dog, Happy Man was one of his formative records, and Grantland reported that Indigo Girls' Swamp Ophelia is the album he loves most.

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About this guide · Last checked

Bon Iver is the project of Wisconsin songwriter Justin Vernon, the band behind For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver, 22, A Million, i,i and Sable, Fable. This guide covers the guitars, synths, mics and studio gear named in interviews and studio features, plus records Vernon has named.

truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. Bon Iver didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.

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truerecs gear guides are independent research from public sources, not made or approved by the artist. Store buttons on this page may be affiliate links: truerecs may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Bon Iver isn't paid for them. Report an error or ask for removal. Full disclosure.