Sting The Soul Cages equipment

The Soul Cages is the third studio album by Sting, released in January 1991 to become his second No. 1 album.

This was his first album with Dominic Miller on guitar, who has been his regular guitarist and collaborator since. He got the gig with Sting through producer/engineer Hugh Padgham, whom he worked with previously for session work on Phil Collins' But Seriously.

Production-wise, basic tracking took place at Guillaume Tell Studios in Paris, France followed by overdubs using Le Voyageur II mobile studio so Sting could record wherever he wanted.

(Horn players & percussionists' gear isn't included for instrument details for those are scarce)

Sting
Instruments
 * 1962 Fender Jazz bass
 * Van Zalinge bodiless upright electric bass
 * NED Synclavier system
 * mandolin

Dominic Miller
note: the gear listed here is partially based on what was used on tour, though it might not be entirely accurate

Guitars
 * Fernandes P-Project Stratocaster copy
 * Fender Telecaster - doubled /w bouzouki on "Mad About You"
 * Gibson Les Paul
 * a few acoustic guitars
 * Rodriguez classical guitar
 * Bouzouki guitar - e.g. "Mad About You"

Amplification - guitar was mostly DI'd, but amps were occasionally used:
 * Mesa/Boogie Mark III (x2)
 * Mesa/Boogie 4x12 cabinets
 * Vox AC30

Effects
 * Boss CS-2 Compressor/Sustainer
 * Boss Chorus (CE-3?)
 * Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal
 * Digitech delay

Source: Musician, August 1991, Dominic Miller website Q&A

Manu Katché
Drums (Yamaha Rock Tour custom)
 * 16" x 22" bass drum
 * 10" x 10" rack tom
 * 10" x 12" rack tom
 * 11" x 13" rack tom
 * 16" x 16" floor tom
 * 14" SD415MK snare (Manu Katché signature)

Cymbals (Zildjian)
 * 14" A New Beat hi-hats (or 13" K/Z hi-hats)
 * 8" A Splash
 * 16" K dark crash
 * 10" A splash
 * 12" K splash
 * 18" K Dark crash (or 18" A Thin Crash)
 * 21" A rock ride
 * 17" K China Boy (Brilliant finish)

Hardware
 * Yamaha

Drum heads
 * Remo coated Ambassadors (batter heads)
 * Remo coated Diplomats (bottom heads)

Source: Modern Drummer, August 1991

Microphones
Drums:
 * Bass drum:
 * Neumann U47
 * Snare:
 * Shure SM57
 * Hi-hats:
 * AKG C451E or Neumann KM84i
 * Toms:
 * Shure SM57's or Sennheiser MD421's
 * Overheads:
 * STC 4038 (x2) or Neumann U87 (x2)
 * Ambience Mikes:
 * Neumann U87 (x2) - usually placed around 20 feet from kit

Guitars:
 * Sony 800G prototype - acoustic guitars

Vocals:
 * Sony 800G prototype
 * Sennheiser MD-441 - main choice for vocals, used for tight cardioid response

Outboard gear
details incomplete
 * Logic FX G384

===Mixing consoles
 * Neve VR Series 48-channel desk: Le Voyageur II mobile studio
 * Solid Stage Logic SL-4000G 56-channel console: tracking at Guillaume Tell
 * SSL desks at The Townhouse London and A&M Los Angeles (mixing) (exact models unknown)

Miscellaneous gear

 * QSound 3D processing algorithm
 * Sony PCM-3324 digital 24-track
 * Meyer HD1 monitoring system (Le Voyageur II)