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Post by yotonic on May 25, 2015 18:37:18 GMT -6
I mean, my God, you've got to be crooked if you're successful. LOL! There is some truth to that. We just don't call it crooked in corporate america and beyond. We call it "pushing the envelope", or "thinking outside of the box". The only problem is when you're on the wrong end of the machine, like songwriters to Spotify. The corporation I used to work for in New York moved our headquarters to Ireland so that we could get away with paying far less taxes than we really were supposed to. It never bothered me until I got a little older and realized that the world can become a really ravenous place when people justify any behavior on "what's best for business". It certainly isn't a mantra that jibes with any religion or necessarily a life well lived.
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Post by yotonic on May 25, 2015 14:55:31 GMT -6
That guy who goes around singing in all these 47 clones is so nauseating. Whenever I see one of his Youtube videos I cringe. He reminds me of Mr. Rogers.
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Post by yotonic on May 25, 2015 7:45:38 GMT -6
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Post by yotonic on May 24, 2015 22:46:44 GMT -6
Lol I was wondering how this topic would go over on this forum. Glad to see it has been kept open and respectful, and without any of the capricious censorship one would see at GS.
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Post by yotonic on May 22, 2015 20:19:07 GMT -6
"Pop Guitar"? Like Dr. Luke funky riffs? (Katy Perry & everybody else) He tracks all his stuff direct, 59 Les Paul-Chandler TG2-Waves Gtr.
Find someone you like and copy their rig.
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Post by yotonic on May 22, 2015 19:44:45 GMT -6
If I was a gigging guitarist this would be tempting. But as a songwriter I have just given up on everything digital or emulation-based.
I have bought every digital keyboard, synth, Marshall JMP1, and modern tech piece of gear etc., and I'm always left feeling just a little flat. But if I sit down at a real Rhodes, or play a nice vintage Martin, or a Gretsch drum kit, a Steinway grand, a Moog synth, or a JCM800 100watt stack the music just flows. So I don't even bother with sample loops, electronic keyboards or anything that is emulation based anymore, only because I need that analog resonance to inspire me. I'm sure it's a super practical tool for the more talented musicians out there but I've noticed I churn out a lot of mediocre material when I don't have that magic that comes from analog or "real instruments" for lack of a better paraphrase. Now I buy every real instrument I come across, just because I can get better ideas and inspiration out of an old instrument than anything new and digital I've bought in the last ten years.
I hope that doesn't sound negative, just a counterpoint. And guys like Pete Yorn would sound good playing guitar on an iPhone.
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Post by yotonic on May 20, 2015 16:45:32 GMT -6
If it's a super forward, present vocal you are looking for, a lot of guys I work with swear by the Avalon M5-Summit TLA100 chain and it delivers. Some people call it the "R&B Chain". But it's used on a lot of pop like Whitney Houston to Colbie Caillat. I like it a lot. Super idiot proof chain and sits great in a mix if you are looking for that forward pop/R&B vocal feel. She's using it on the track below with the Sony C800G. Obviously a good deal of verb on her voice but it has a similar emotional connection for the listener as the intimacy of a dry vocal. This Incubus track on a Shure Sm7 always felt like a dry vocal stylistically. (And Brandon's wife is hotter than Keith's.) Attachments:
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Post by yotonic on May 20, 2015 7:14:10 GMT -6
I know Dr. Luke uses the same setup we are describing, but he also uses a ton of compression and editing. John Mayer is a self confessed addict of Waves RVox, he crushes the crap out of his vocals and even tracks his vox with compression (1176 & La2a) as he has learned how to adjust his vocal for that effect. He also uses a 1073 and a 47 on a lot of his stuff. His vocal sound takes a lot of work and production. Here is the Continuum tracking setup: The record was done with Joe Ferla, Dave O'Donnell & Chad Franscoviak @ The Village, Royal Studios, Avatar and Right Track/Sound on Sound. Vocals were Mic -> 1073s -> 1176 (or two chs with one into a Fairchild 670) Neumann U47 (most), Neumann M269c & RCA 77 (“I'm Gonna Find Another You”) *Renaissance Vox plugin was used on the vocals. And here he is using the same rear, wedge configuration most pop producers use. The last one is Dr. Luke's. Attachments:
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Post by yotonic on May 19, 2015 19:30:59 GMT -6
Are you talking about his shirt? Because the only party this kid is having in a cornfield is with himself...
He performed it live on The Voice tonight. The only thing worse than his performance was his ridiculous shirt.
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Post by yotonic on May 19, 2015 19:24:35 GMT -6
Well I know all drummers are crazy, and most singers are narcissists:) but it is true that the most talented people I have met in the creative arts have had an empathy that is super sized usually by a touch of, or a full portion of something from the DSM-5. That's why managers have a job, and girlfriends, accountants, divorce attorneys, producers...
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Post by yotonic on May 19, 2015 19:05:33 GMT -6
What professional vocals are you referring to? Something off a mastered mix on the radio etc? I'm always surprised how much room noise there is when you hear current vox soloed. Most of the pop stuff you hear every day (Katy Perry etc.) is done using the rear panels you attached, sometimes with a blanket or fabric around it in the middle of a large live room.
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Post by yotonic on May 16, 2015 20:15:41 GMT -6
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Post by yotonic on May 14, 2015 19:26:55 GMT -6
This Sam Hunt kid is a pretty legit talent too. Totally different style and vibe, but great natural voice and a funky yet authentic sensibility.
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Post by yotonic on May 13, 2015 17:14:20 GMT -6
I wish I could just take the software code to Spotify's website and use it for a streaming business of my own and just send them an amount I deem fair....
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Post by yotonic on May 10, 2015 20:38:40 GMT -6
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Post by yotonic on May 7, 2015 22:49:37 GMT -6
The biggest problem in music (and design and popular culture in general) is this desire to create and design things that "look cool" but serve no functional purpose. It leaves you with silly restaurants that all look alike, cars, houses, clothes, and songs that are all mundane.
Music made simply for the sake of getting on TV (or famous) is of the same value and import as reality TV and shows like Housewives of Atlanta.
A song written with a purpose and point of view, won't leave you feeling that a part is missing.
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Post by yotonic on May 6, 2015 22:45:56 GMT -6
Paul was instrumental in getting Jimmy started in England. It was no coincidence that he was there. Just like Beiber was at Mayweather's fight
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Post by yotonic on May 4, 2015 19:56:54 GMT -6
If you are charting your own tune and you are the singer then you most likely have the key on lock. Maybe someone in a session might notice something in a chorus lift and suggest shifting it higher or lower for your voice, but usually you should have your song well organized in pre production and rehearsals before spending money on session time.
And if you hire an "A" session player for drums or bass and they are playing on a lot of records they are going to bring a better nuanced part to your track than anything you can chart for them. They won't need a drum chart you can beat box your idea for them or bring a work track. Most will scratch out their own notes and part on your song chart, after they have run through the song, (as Randge said) and worked in their suggestions and changes.
Most guys will give you a few different approaches based upon the breadth of their experience playing for different artists. Not to mention you want that little bit of magic that comes from letting guys contribute during the flow. Drummers have a unique perspective on songs and a lot of the good ones have a great sense for arrangement and structure. There are a couple I use precisely because I get a lot of free arrangement and producing input from them. Popular music is the drums and vocal. Don't skimp on the drummer. Also as a songwriter make sure you have your tempo dialed in so you don't get caught up in a live session and convince yourself that two more clicks is the sweet spot.... when it's not. This is an easy mistake to make if you haven't been playing your material live for awhile.
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Post by yotonic on May 3, 2015 0:35:43 GMT -6
Buy someone else's $50,000 studio who is going out of business.
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Post by yotonic on May 2, 2015 19:31:47 GMT -6
This applies to me and song writing. Shit...
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Post by yotonic on May 1, 2015 20:35:23 GMT -6
That's okay, I would have needed to upgrade eventually. I can't see myself spending the time to learn a new DAW as I'm a songwriter and not an engineer. And $150 isn't bad certainly.
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Post by yotonic on May 1, 2015 16:00:48 GMT -6
And of course a few of my favorite plugs now aren't working. Fucking AVID
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Post by yotonic on May 1, 2015 14:39:04 GMT -6
Ya this guy just jolted me out of a bad writing rut. No more wasted time on gear and bullshit. Turn the mic on and write a song from start to finish without becoming paralyzed by the accompaniments.
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Post by yotonic on May 1, 2015 14:36:49 GMT -6
Well it didn't give me PT12. Now I have an 11 upgrade I could care less about. LOL
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Post by yotonic on Apr 30, 2015 16:39:46 GMT -6
Fu@king carpet baggers.
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