Hello folks
Hoping for a bit of input for ideas for my University MSC project in Music Engineering and Production.
My plan is to do a recording project with a singer/songwriter friend of mine, based largely around translating acoustic songs into more complex modern arrangements using digital techniques – sampling, convolution, synthesis, and various methods of sound creation and manipulation.
My idea is to combine this with investigation of, and research into some more original production techniques – primarily in cases where producers have ‘thought outside the box’ to obtain interesting sounds, atmospheres and effects. Artists/producers perhaps such as Massive Attack, Four Tet, George Martin, Phil Spector, Brian Wilson, Bonobo, Portishead etc. I also hope to acquire some e-mail interviews with users of such techniques (not necessarily the greats mentioned, but anyone who has successfully used some interesting techniques).
It would be my intention to incorporate these methods into my own recordings, in some cases perhaps to adapt them for my own ends. I have my own amateur studio set-up at home, as well as access to University equipment and studios.
One focus could be how techniques can be employed to make electronic sounds come alive – use of compression, room ambience, sonic textures etc. How to create space, atmosphere and ‘aliveness’ in a mix. I think Massive Attack (on Mezzanine) miked up playback of their beats through monitor speakers to give them more ambience and texture, although I'm not sure where I heard this...
Another focus could be how conventional instruments (guitar, piano) can be used as raw sound sources for entirely new sounds, through extensive digital manipulation.
One angle - the guy from Four Tet has used sampling in innovative ways (although I'm sure he's not the first) - i.e. using certain sounds to provide the entire arrangement - sampling certain sounds/existing elements already present in a song, and pitching them down to provide the bass as well as lead and rhythm parts.
Melody/harmony being derived from percussion sounds... percussion being derived from musical sounds...
Also the approach used by Amon Tobin on his 'Foley Room' album - the tracks here are composed mostly of non-musical samples from field recordings he made.
I'm basically hoping to just prompt a bit of discussion on this here. Any good ideas for imaginative/unorthodox techniques I could look into? Or any good links/articles out there?
Any input welcome.
Thanks,
Muddy
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I don't have any tips, but I have a song you might be interested
I don't have any tips, but I have a song you might be interested in listening to.
http://www.myspace.com/lindsaymacmusic
Listen to Use Me
I was not involved in this recording. Lots of effects and tricks used well.
hah hah hah I always wanted to record a song that was sung back
hah hah hah
I always wanted to record a song that was sung backwards and then reversed the vocals so they made actual words. I know this sounds crazy but if u kept the words simple (i.e. if u say Cat it sounds like Tack) lol so picture this if u start studying how to talk backwards and then play it reversed. :evil: Call the song Speaking Tongue
Here's what I'm working on: Using any/all of the above technique
Here's what I'm working on:
Using any/all of the above techniques, create 2 pieces that can stand on their own.
PLUS when you play both pieces simultaneously they create a 3rd new piece.
Now you've got something special eh?
This opens up more possibilites if you're mixing in surround as well.