MPR4C001R-003 Portfolio: Production & Log
1500 Words
Track 1 (Genre Specific Emulation)
For this assignment we have recorded 3 individual tracks.
For one of these tracks, we had recreated a song that fell into either one of these genres/categories. These consisted of; 1960s Rock’n’roll, 1970s Disco/Funk, 1960s/70’s Motown/Soul ,1980s Reggae/Synth Pop,1990s Britpop ,1990’s Neo Soul/RnB/Rap
Looking at this list we chose to recreate the song called ‘’Tax Man’’ by the Beatles. Once we had chosen this song, we first had a listen and took account of what instruments were used in the track. We eventually worked out that there were 3 main instruments, this included an electric guitar, bass guitar and the drums. Alongside these instruments they had a lead and backing vocal, as well as some other percussion elements such as a tambourine. We then started to do our own research into the recording process and what sort of equipment the Beatles would have used at the time to create this song. We first thought about the drums. We looked up and researched Ringo Starr, the drummer behind the song to get an idea of how he would have played and recorded the drums. We first came across the Glyn Johns method. This was a method of recording the drums with 3 microphones. This involved 2 mono overhead microphones. One placed around 40 inches high above the centre of the snare drum and the other to the left of the snare floor tom equal distance from each other. Then finally a kick drum microphone placed directly onto the sound whole. This was placed where the sound waves would dissipate. We thought this method could have been used to took this into account. To get another idea of how they would have set up the microphones to record their drums. We found methods they had used when recording their other hit song ‘’Revolver’’. We came across that they used the close-up approach, Using a AKG D19 for overheads, An AKG D20 directly inside of the bass drum with blanket inside for internal damping. Then for the snare drum they would have used a Neumann KM56 positioned close to the bottom of the snare drum. The engineer, Geoff Emerick relied heavily on compression to get the drums to sound punchy in most of their tracks. Alongside the drums, we then looked up what microphones they would have used on the bass and electric guitar. For the electric guitar we found out they likely would have used a Neumann U47 or U48. They often used these microphones on their electric guitars, alongside using there UL amps. Tube microphones were there most favourite microphone type as it gave them a warm natural sound. For the bass guitar we researched that they would have used a AKG C12 Microphone. However, on their earlier sounds they could have potentially used a AKG C12 microphone. When it came to the recording the vocals, we found that they likely used a Neumann U87 or a TLM 102. These were known to capture a wide frequency range, capturing a detailed vocal performance. After researching all this information it was time to choose what equipment we were going to use to recreate this song. For the bass, we chose to use a SM57 with a DI box. For the rhythm guitar we chose to use an SM57, DI and a Sontronics Halo. For the solo guitar we again chose to use a SM57 and a DI. For the vocals We ended up using a JZ V67 Microphone. Drums We used 3 microphones a AKG C414, an Audix D6 and a SM57. Finally for the other percussion elements eg, the tambourine and the cowbell, we used a AKG C414. Throughout this assignment we all got involved in all aspects. We had Jimmy on the vocals. Jamie on the guitar parts and so and so on the bass. The rest of us were involved mostly in the mixing desk room making sure all the sound levels were coming through properly and solving any technical problems we could have faced. We all got involved when it came to the studio setup, making sure everything was ready to record. My own personal contributions was helping with setting up microphones, headphones, cables in each room we needed to record in and overviewing the mixing desk during the recording sessions helping solve issues and giving my own opinions on the sound levelling. In addition helping in the general discussion of if things sounded too quiet or loud.
Track 2 (Live In the Studio Stereo Recording)
For the second piece of music for this assignment we had to record a live in the studio stereo recording. We must pick either a vocal choir, string quartet or an acoustic trio. We chose to record a flute trio. For this recording we used 4 microphones. We first got 2 Schoeps CMC5U omi pair microphones which we placed at equal distant from each other in the corners of the recording room. The 3rd microphone we used was a AKG C414 XLS, which we placed in the middle of the room with one side facing to the left and the other facing the right. For the final microphone we used a Calrec CM1051 Which we placed just behind and above the AKG microphone. After we had set up all of these microphones (making sure they were all connected to the wall outlet) we placed 3 soundproof walls at the back of the studio to reduce noise levels and improve the sound quality. After we had gotten all the takes recorded, we picked the best take and went into a mixing room to edit and add a small number of effects with panning to make the piece sound more crisp and clearer. My main contribution in this recording was setting up all the microphones in the room, connecting them all to the wall in and out. We had to make sure the 2 overhead microphones especially, were lined up with one and other so they would be in line with the flute players. I also helped with making the room easily accessible for the people to come in and play. This involved moving equipment or instruments out of the recording room that we were not using. This was mandatory as any vibrations or sounds bouncing off of other instruments in the room would cause sound issues in our recording. I also helped with the recording process during the live recording, making sure the sound levels were fine and that all the microphones were recording properly.
Track 3 Remix track
For the last piece of music for this assignment, we had to make a remix which included the vocals of tax man we recorded. For this piece I decided to do a House track where I would chop up the vocals to go alongside the track. In this piece I had recorded 2 instruments, A synth keyboard and a piano which would come and go throughout the piece. As well as these recordings, we had to record real sounds for the drum samples instead of already created sounds. For this I recorded my foot stomping on the floor for the kick drum in the track. I then edited it using EQ and effects to make it sound more like a real drum sound. Once I had edited it, I chopped up the sound making it a one hit sample that I could lay out in the piano roll to create a house drum pattern. For the open hi hat sound in this track I recorded an aerosol spray can then followed the same process to edit, chop and add to kick drum to add more variation to the drums. For this piece I wanted to make a house track, however with my own twist on it. When it came down to how I edited the vocals I listened to the whole taxman solo. I then chopped the vocal parts in sections and placed them in an arrangement that would sound and fit best with the track. I added EQ, Reverb as well as some stutter effects in certain parts of the track to add variety. Another sound I had added to the drums was a rim hit, which I recorded myself tapping on my desk then pitched it up to sound more like a rim sound. The rest of the sounds used in this track were from VST plugins. I picked electronic sounds that best fitted to the vocals and that had a house feeling to it.
