MPR4C001R-003 Portfolio: Production & Log 2 Template
Task 1 – WAV Mixes
Please add your uncompressed audio files to the block below
Task 2 – Production Log Book
Track 1 (Genre Specific Emulation)
Pre Production
In the genre specific emulation part of this project we decided to use the song “Chamber of Reflection” by Mac Demarco. Originally we wanted to go with a more 70s soul type of way but many of the songs that we had wanted to do were not realistic enough as we did not know a singer that could emulate the sound we were looking for. We then would also had to create large string and horn sections for the song. We thought that the Mac Demarco song would be a good choice for different reasons including we had a singer that we thought would work well within the style of the song and we thought that it could be a good song to remix.
Recording
For the vocal recording we used different mics to hear what was closer to the Chamber of Reflection. Originally we tried WA251 but felt as though the SM57 was better and closer to the original. The recording was good enough so we proceeded to record the other parts of the song. We recorded bass by Di with light compression. Alfie (our bass player) sat in the room with us when recording because we felt that this would make communication much easier and I believe this sped up the process massively. We used the stem splitting feature on Logic to hear if there were any features to bass part that we should know. Alfie noticed that the bass in Chamber of reflection was using a pick so Alfie used his pick to play the bass part and this improved the sound.
For the drums recording we recorded in 103 on the 18th of March. We used a simple mic set up close to the Glyn John method because we believed this is what it sounded like in the original recording. The microphones we used can be seen below.
This pencil mic placement massively improved the recording as it meant that it gave depth to the recording which it did not have before. This also gave more ambience which is clear in the original recording of the drums. We then recorded Christian to try and get the best take. We did not feel as though the kick sounded right as it sounded too flat. We tried changing the kick drum but felt that it was not the right sound even with jumpers inside to dampen the sound. We put the original kick pack but moved the kick in out by a few centimeters and this improved the sound of the kick.
We booked out 119 which contained synths like the Juno which is what Mac Demarco used in this song. We spent time as a group trying to get the lead to sound a close as we could. We then had Ramirez learn the melody and then recorded it. After comping a few takes together we felt happy with the product. When trying to create the organ part of the song we came to a sound that was close however, there was an issue because of the connection within the synth being loose and created this static effect when we recorded. Due to running out of time we did not solve this issue. I took it upon myself to try and re-create the synth part within my own DAW. Eventually, I found a sound that I could manipulate to get something close to the original. I then added on effects such as EQ to take out the low end for reducing muddyness, Micro Shift (which is a chorus/detune effect) to widen the sound and Echo Boy to further widen the sound of the organ. After creating a sound that was close enough I attempted to create the chord progression but struggled so I had help from Christian to finalise the chords and the patterns.
Mixing
For the mixing part of this project, we all individually created our own mix. We then would choose which mix was best. We agreed that Flynn had the best mix. His mix consisted of EQ and compression over most tracks. The vocal consisted of EQ to reduce mud, de-esser to take harsh frequencies and plate reverb which sounds close to original and suits the vocal. Bass was EQ’d and saturation was added to bring out the low and mid frequencies. Compression was added to the drums and EQ to individual tracks to clean the sound and to try and get as close to the original.
Track 2 (Studio Stereo Recording)
Pre production
For the stereo recording, we got a four piece orchestra group to play. One of the people in the group sent us a video of them playing a piece and we thought it would work well with what we needed to record. We then found a date that we could all do and booked 113 one week in advance.
Recording
We placed the band in a semi circle in the center of room 113 facing the window into the recording studio. We then plugged in one set of headphones so that when we needed to communicate with them we could do this without having to travel from room to room. We would have use the mini speaker for talk back however, this was not working so we did this as a compromise. For the microphones we used two Sontronic Delta 2s and two Scheops omni mics for room mics. We placed the two sontronics delta 2s on a stereo bar and attempted to angle them at 110 degrees and 17 centimeters apart. We used a ruler to measure the distance but I had to get a free patractor app to measure the angle. This took a bit of time as the stand and XLR cables got in the way. This process was supposed to stop phase in the recording. Fortunately, this worked as there were no issues of phase in the recording. We placed the two Scheops omni mics behind the delta sentronics to pick up some of the room noise. We then asked if the musicians were ready and if that wanted to do a practice take.
They agreed and we went through several recordings for them to warm up. We as a group felt that most of the recording were fine but there were a few sections in the song like the intro and just after half way through the composition that the clarity fell. There were also moments where clashing notes were played just to add to the mistakes that were made in the recording. To try and support them with this we asked them to do one more recording with some constructive feedback to see if we get a better result. This recording was an improvement to the other recordings so we thought that they should come in and listen to the most recent recording. They noticed themselves where they needed to improve and then went back in to the parts of the song where they were fining it difficult. In the next few takes we thought that major developments were made resulting in a usable take.
Mixing
For the mixing process we used compression to narrow the dynamic range and used the outboard gear to EQ the different parts. This helped take out some rumble in the low end and therefore brought clarity to the mix. Reverb was added with a small amount of delay to bring space to the recording.
Track 3 Remix track
Pre Production and creating
I wanted to make a jungle remix to Chamber Of Reflection. I thought this would work well with the vocal that we had. I started with increasing the tempo of the song to 158 bpm when the track was originally 131 bpm. This gave the tempo of jungle to create the fast break beat sound. I then went to creating the chords with a synth. I found a strings pad on omnisphrere that had this retro early 2000s feel to them. I added EQ to take out the low end and therefore reducing the clash between the low end of the song. I then added pitch shifter onto the track to match the pitch of the vocal as its detuned. I then also pitched everything up by three to make a more authentic sound of jungle because I sped the track up, the pitch of the track increases. This gave a jungle and more energetic feel to the track. I then added a bass line which matched the new chords. This bass fits the 2000s sound that I was going for. I played this bass line in live on my Ableton Push. This gave the baseline a more human feel.
Recording
To make the drums I used the sound of my keys dropping on my computer stand. I liked the metallic sound that it created. I used this sound to make the hi hats and snare sound. I used compression to give the sound more punch. I used distortion to help manipulate the sound into more of a harsh snare sound. I used EQ to take the low end out in order for there to be less muddyness. I then also took some of the harsh frequencies out to give clarity to the sound. I shortened the snare so that it sounded closer to tight jungle snare sounds. For the kick I hit my desk in a part where it gave a deeper sound. I then added compression, saturation, EQ and drum buss to try and make it sound more like a kick.
Mixing
For the mixing I added extra EQ to bring clarity and added reverb to create space in the mix. I also added delays, compression and reverb to make the vocal match the music I was making.
