After forming Galantis in 2012 through a shared love of dance music, Christian Karlsson (Britney Spears, Madonna) and Linus Eklöw, also known as Style of Eye (Icona Pop), teamed up with David Saint Fleur (Global A&R / Producer – WMG) to reimagine Faith, based on the original version by John Hiatt.
Faith is a rare crossover moment where classic songwriting meets contemporary pop and electronic production. When Dolly Parton steps up to a microphone, there is no margin for error. You choose tools you trust. For Dolly’s vocal recording, that tool was the Sontronics MERCURY.
For anyone familiar with Dolly Parton’s voice, it is instantly recognisable. There is a magic to it that is intimate, expressive and full of character. Capturing this kind of performance is all about preserving the moment, maintaining depth, and allowing complete control of the vocal delivery.
This is where microphone choice becomes critical. Country vocals often benefit from space and openness, while pop and EDM vocals demand clarity, detail and focus. The MERCURY’s valve condenser design allowed Dolly’s vocals to remain warm and natural while still cutting clearly through layered modern production.
Why the Sontronics MERCURY Works So Well for Vocals
The Sontronics MERCURY has long been a trusted choice for lead vocal recording in professional studio environments, particularly where flexibility and tonal control matter:
- A large-diaphragm valve (tube) condenser microphone that adds depth without excessive colour or saturation
- Infinitely variable polar pattern control, allowing engineers to shape room ambience and proximity effect
- A smooth, refined high-frequency response that complements expressive vocalists without exaggerating sibilance or harshness
- The ability to capture both subtle performances and powerful vocal passages with equal confidence
On Faith, this meant Dolly’s vocals retained honesty and intimacy, capturing every breath, inflection and articulation.
Behind the Scenes: Recording Faith
Fans of Dolly Parton, alongside producers and engineers, can catch a behind-the-scenes look at the production process in Amazon Music’s documentary covering the making of Faith. The film shows how a 20-piece string orchestra was introduced to elevate the arrangement and give the track its cinematic feel.
The footage places Dolly in her Nashville studio with the Sontronics MERCURY clearly visible, highlighting how a world-class vocal performance can be captured with a straightforward, trusted recording setup.
For those interested in vocal recording techniques, studio workflow, and microphone selection at the highest level, these clips offer a rare insight into a truly cross-genre recording session.
One Microphone, Multiple Genres
Faith demonstrates that a great microphone does not belong to a single genre. The Sontronics MERCURY is equally at home capturing intimate country vocals, polished pop hooks and modern EDM productions.
When the performance matters and the artist’s voice is the centrepiece, transparency, warmth and reliability always win. From legendary voices to modern crossover releases, the MERCURY continues to prove why it is trusted in studios where every take counts.
You can listen to the released version of Faith here:
To learn more about the Sontronics MERCURY valve condenser microphone, including full specifications and availability, visit: https://sontronics.com/collections/all-products/products/sontronics-mercury-valve-condenser-microphone