The iconic, haunting opening chimes were created using the Synclavier II digital synthesizer. This distinct sound set a darker tone for the track before the main groove kicked in.
Engineer Bruce Swedien used his "Acusonic Recording Process," which involved syncing multiple 24-track tape machines. This allowed for an almost limitless number of tracks. In the "Beat It" sessions, this meant he could dedicate entire tracks just to the natural room ambiance of the drums or the specific texture of the synthesizers. Why the Multitracks Matter Today michael jackson beat it multitrack