1

Miskin Music technology

Desert Island Interview

Most people nowadays have many favourite songs all ranging from different genres to different artists but what if you were on a desert island and you could only take three songs with you. Most people would struggle to pick their top three favourite songs. I got asked this question and here are the answers to the questions that were asked... What is your first song? My first song I would choose would be 'The Beatles' 'Tomorrow Never 'Knows'. The song was inspired and wrote by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. The inspiration and lyrics for the song came from a book called The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. He Consumed LSD while reading the book and put his experience from the drug into the song. George Harrison introduced the band into Indian culture and musical instruments like the sitar and tamboura. What sonic components can be heard in this recording? The one of the main sonic components is the use of a tape player being looped over and over. This is used for the screams and the violins. The tempo of the violins has been speeded up to give the song a more fast motion feel. It is clear again that after the first chorus you can hear the loop tape being reversed and speeded up to create an unusual effect and feel.

What instruments can you hear in this song? The start of the song begins with a fade in of the tamboura being played in a high volume C drone. The drums then come in with a punchy beat adding to the feel of the song. A loop of tape is played where you can hear people screaming, this was created by a vocal put through a 'Leslie speaker'. The 'Leslie speaker' was designed for the electric hammed organ which had spinning wheels inside to swish the sound around. Producer 'George Martin' also added many effects to the voices to make them sound like Tibetan monks. The screaming adds much volume to the song. 'John Lennon' trying to make the listener feel like they are in a LSD trip. There is another tape loop that is used which is of violins being used and looped over and over to get a texture, sequenced sound. The short solo on the electric guitar which happens on the thirty sixth bar uses reverb and distortion to get that high but unusual sound. Towards the ending of the song it climaxes by the loop tapes being used more and the effects being put on both guitar and organ. The dynamics of the ending are very loud and distorted giving the sense or feeling that you are not in a comfortable environment. What other sound techniques has the producer used? The other sound techniques that can be heard is panning. The tamboura at the start is faded in and more panned to the left monitor. The use of recorded tape and then being looped was the first its kind at the time. This made what they did change the way we record music today. From listening to the song you can hear that during the time they spent writing and recording the song they experimented with many instruments and ideas.

What effects has the producer used in this song? When listening to the song throughout on headphones or either speakers the use of reverb is apparent, especially on the recorded loop tape and also in the percussion parts. The reverb can be heard very clear from the tamboura at the start of the song.

Miskin Music technology

If the song was re-recorded what could of been done differently or if not, why? Maybe compare it to a cover of the song? The song 'Tomorrow Never Knows' was recorded in 1969 on 'The Beatles' album 'Revolver' and featured as the last track. The song uses many instruments from cultural backgrounds and emotions by 'John Lennon' and Paul McCartney'. As we know the song was created from 'John Lennon' consuming LSD while reading a psychedelia book called The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. This led him to create and write lyrics for the song but what if 'John Lennon' didn't consume LSD? And what if he didn't read The Psychedelic Experience? What would the song sound like, would it have had many of the controversial, Indian instruments in it or would it even get sound psychedelic. If you song didn't have instruments like the tamboura and sitar then song wouldn't have its psychedelic sound to it. It would be a plain song that doesn't have much taste to it. Also the use of the tape player being looped as a massive impact in the song and with out this the song wouldn't have that edge and difference about it. If they recorded the song differently would it of had a different tonality and timbre to it? I feel that if the song was recorded differently and the techniques used were different it wouldn't have the tonality and theme of instruments like the tamboura and sitar. A good example of how this song that could of been changed is 'Noel Gallagher', 'Gem' and 'Johnny Marr's' cover of 'Tomorrow Never Knows'. The cover is good but it doesn't have the psychedelic sound that you listen to from the original. The cover doesn't have tape player being reverse looped and there for looses the psychedelic feel. They try and imitate this being playing the electric guitar with loads of effects on to create that reversed loop sound but it doesn't really work. Adding effects like reverb, chorus and delay. The cover also lacks the tempo of the original song and therefor creates and real drone feel. The cover they did was of there own take on the song but the original will always be in my mind the better choice. To summarise the song if recorded differently wouldn't be the same as I have explained and wouldn't have been that successful and popular.

What is your second song? The second song I would choose to take with me would be 'Gimmee Shelter' by 'The Rolling Stones'. The song was written by lead vocalist 'Mick Jagger' and lead guitarist 'Keith Richards'. The song was written in a time of war so the song reflects the tension from that time. What instruments can you hear in this song? The introduction of the song begins with a guitar picking away in a adagio like motion. With the notes sounding nocturne, meaning the sound is dreamy or romantic. The guitar faded in from the start on the song. On the fifth bar into the introduction the drums enter with a slow hit on the snare to the symbol. When the snare is hit another guitar emerges with a gentle riff with dynamics being very soft. At the same time the second guitar comes in and a female voice can be heard. The harmony of the singing being in the background of the guitar melody can still be heard. The tonality of the voice is of a female which producer 'Jimmy Miller' had said was missing. 'Merry Clayton' was the guest vocalist who sang the piece. You can hear a guiro being played by the percussionist. On the thirteenth bar the bass comes in to add the feel to the song and make it be heard. The bass still adding to the introduction giving the song realism and rhythm. On the twenty forth bar the introduction has finished and now the bass's tempo has speeded up and the texture of the sound has become more bold to the listener.

Mick Jagger at Altamont, from the film GIMME SHELTER.

What sonic components can be heard in this recording? One of the sonic components that can be hard is the reverb on the vocals to give a more dynamic and rich sound. This builds up the introduction with the guitar picking. Also using reverb on the harmonica before the guitar solo. When listening to the bridge of the song it is very clear that reverb is used on the vocals.
Page 2

What other sound techniques has the producer used? The first guitar playing in the introduction is panned more to the left to give and allow other instruments to come in and be heard. The guitar is also faded in. This technique is used to create a smoother introduction. Other techniques used is the mix the vocals I much high in the mix but not to high so the other instruments can't be heard. Panning is used a lot during this song to make each instrument heard. This technique insures that the listener we be fully involved with the song.
Lady Gaga performing Gimmee Shelter with The Rolling Stones at New Jersey

What effects has the producer used in this song? When listening to the song through headphones or either speakers you can hear the main effect used reverb. As I mentioned before the use of reverb on the vocals gives a more for filling sound to the song. Other effects used during the song are distortion on the guitar during the solo. There is not too much but enough to be heard which is what is needed to hear the range of the solo. If the song was re-recorded what could of been done differently or if not, why? Maybe compare it to a cover of the song? The song 'Gimme Shelter' was recorded in February and November of 1969. The song was later released on the 5th of December the same year. What made this song stand out so much was the time it was recorded in. The Vietnam war was going on and the song reflects the pictures that the world saw. Most of which were horrific. The song features guest artist 'Merry Clayton' singing lead vocals with 'Mick Jagger'. If the song was recorded differently and with out her vocals the song really wouldn't have the same timbre. The tone of her voice brings out the true pain that the world was going through and she expresses this brilliantly with her singing. Her vocals are important to the song and if another vocalist was singing in a jazz style or soul style it wouldn't fit in with the structure and theme of the style of music. Only one thing I think they could add to this song would maybe be a choir. I think that would add to the progression of the song and express maybe the feelings of the song more. It would also bring out the harmonies of the song more, especially with the chords of the rhythm guitar melody and add more dynamics to the song. The dynamics of the choir singing being a very soft texture but still with volume. Comparing this with a cover of this song by 'Playing For Change', who record a mixture of people around the world playing there instrument or singing to popular, influential songs. This cover in my mind is brilliant and adds to the fact that 'Mick Jagger' and 'Kieth Richards' could of added more instruments from a variety of cultural backgrounds to the original song. The use of the washboard to imitate the mano percussion is creative and I think sounds better than the mano percussion block. The slowed down tempo works and shows that again if the song was re-recorded it would still give out the same message and feel. The cover in its own right shows that yes if the original was re recorded somethings could be added and might even improve it. But the original being what it is would never need to be changed because musically it is a masterpiece. The lyrics telling a message with the singing expressing the emotions. The guitar and harmonica creating real sense of feel. To conclude this is song that if re-recorded could of been done differently especially in adding more instruments and changing up the tempo and harmonies.

Page 3

What is your third song? My third song I would choose would be 'What a Pleasure' by 'Beach Fossils'. The genre of this song is indie rock and alternative rock. The song was released on their 2011 EP called 'What a Pleasure'. It is the second song on their EP but not their most rated on iTunes. Their debut LP Beach Fossils was released in 2010. Beach Fossils began in 2009 as a solo project of Dustin Payseur (lead writer/singer and guitarist). He drew his inspiration from improvisational jazz, classical and shoegaze artists, such as Anthony Braxton, preStereolab project McCarthy and Giuseppe Tartini. What instruments can you hear in this song? The song starts off with a guitar being picked at a moderately steady speed. This is the introduction riff to the song. This goes on for four bars and then the second guitar comes in with the drums about half a bar later. The bass also comes in with the drums and adds to the constant beat. The bass line being played is very steady but gives movement to the song. The tempo of the bass line is important because it maintains the speed for the guitars. The second guitar is played up to the eleventh bar and then it drops out along with the first guitar. The vocals enter along with the steady drums and bass for eight bars and at the seventeen bar the first guitar comes back in but with a different riff. This riff is played on for twelfth and half bars into the chorus and then at the thirtieth bar the second guitar comes back in playing a solo riff. The second solo guitar riff continuous for thirteen bars then finishes. The first guitar comes back in with a similar riff to the last but with one or two different notes being played. Six bars into the first guitar riff playing the second guitar comes back in and does a solo over the first guitar playing with the vocals of the chorus being sung. The guitars repeat themselves from the same riff and the solo as the last to finish the song. What effects has the producer used in this song? When listening to this song through speakers or headphones it is clear that the use of reverb is used a lot on nearly most of the instruments and vocals. The first guitar uses a lot of delay to get that fast paced effect that can be heard. Without these effects the song would be very plain. As the drums and bass have a simple structure and rhythm and therefore dont need any effects. From listening to the track you can hear that there is delay on the vocals and this can be heard clearly in the chorus of the song.
Page 4

What a Pleasure EP cover released in 2011

What sonic components can be heard in this recording? The main sonic component that can be heard is reverb and chorus effect on the introduction riff of the guitar. It also has the treble turned up to add to the effect. Also reverb can be clearly heard on the vocals throughout the track. It also clear that compression has been used on the track to make sure that the final release sounds clean.

What other sound techniques has the producer used? The other techniques that can be heard are in the chorus of the song. The first guitar playing the fast riff is panned more to the left speaker making the other instruments heard. This technique is important because without the panning on the guitar it would dominate the chorus meaning the vocals and other instruments wouldn't be heard very well. The mixing for this song is very important as the vocals and guitar are much higher in the mix as these are the main instruments during the song that change. The mix for the first guitar riff also has a tremolo effect on so that it sounds like it is being panned from speaker to speaker.

Miskin Music technology If the song was re-recorded what could of been done differently or if not, why? Maybe compare it to a cover of the song? The song 'What a Pleasure' was released on there EP in 2011. The song if recorded differently could have had a different melody to it or a brake down piece that builds up. 'Beach Fosssil's' lead vocalist 'Dustin Payseur' wrote the guitar melody riffs and the lyrics and I feel that the song doesn't change its theme and stays the same though out the whole song. I feel if they re recorded the song they could add in a keyboard synth to add more instruments to the song. The song lakes the range other instruments and this gives the song a tone less feel. The one part of the song I wouldn't change would be the bass line. It is simple but adds clarity and timbre to the song. The timbre comes from the tempo and notes the bassist plays in the song. The bass adds movement to he song because the guitars can't do it all themselves. If re -recorded the song could have more effects added to certain instruments like the guitars and even bass. The use of flanger or a Wah -wah pedal could add more flavor to the sound of the song. The use of flanger could be added onto the bass guitar but only so it could be heard and not to over powering. I feel this song if re -recorded could have massive changes added to like adding a keyboard but alternatively the song makes up for the lack of instruments by its catchy guitar riffs and bass line. To evaluate the song if re -recorded could of been done differently by adding more instruments, adding more effects to certain instruments and changing the structure to create a more interesting song. We know what songs you want to take with you but what song would you never take with you? There are many songs I dislike from different genres but the one I would not take away with me is a cover of 'Smells like teen spirit' by 'Nirvana'. One of the reasons why I choose this cover is the guitar is out of time and the vocals are not in tune with the song. What sonic faults can be heard in this recording? The first sonic felt is the guitar has too much distortion on. I previously explained that too much distortion can wreck a song and make it sound harsh and painful. Distortion is a loud effect that should be used in low volume otherwise the effect can take over the song. Also the gain on the guitar is too high and that is all you can really hear. This then drains out the vocals meaning no one can hear them. How did the venue affect the sound? They played this cover in what looks like a sports hall which would have very bad acoustics because of the wide space for the sound to bounce around and not be absorbed. The hall has a high ceiling with wooden shiny/reflective surface with again would create the sound to bounce around. This would add more reverb to the cover they were playing. The hall has windows which is not very good as the sound will just bounce off of it. If they played in a small room with foamed walls and ceiling there would have a clear and rich sound.

The band that covered Smells like teen spirit

What are the faults that you can pick out? The first fault is when they go to sound check the microphone there is a lot of feedback which they do nothing about. Feedback during any performance should never happen and if it does it needs to be sorted out quickly. The second fault is when the first guitar starts playing it is out of tune which straight can be noticed and also has too much distortion on. The distortion is needed but not to much as this can cause the song to sound very harsh and muddy. The guitar's gain is to loud this can be heard when the vocalist starts singing. When the bass guitar is playing it is out of time which makes the guitarist out of time. The bass then sounds like it is playing something totally different to the original song. The tempo of the vocals is not fast enough and sounds very out of tune and time. This makes their song very different to the original. In the second verse the guitar goes so out of time it makes the drums go out of time. With no structure to the song it becomes a sound that no one wants to hear.

If the song was re-recorded what could of been done differently or if not, why? Mabye compare it to a cover of the song? The cover of 'Smells like teen spirit' by this band on 'YouTube' are very bad and it is probably one of the worst covers I have heard. If they re-recorded what could of been done differently? Well for starters learning the song and rehearsing with each other as a band. The time signature of the song is awful. The is because the vocals time signature is out and so it the guitar. All they needed to do to make this a good performance was learn the right cords to the song and rehearse until they can play it well. From their permanence it is clear that have done neither of this. The use of distortion is to high, if re -performed just use the amount of distortion that is needed not too much that is destroys the guitar. This a great example of not knowing how to play the song right and not practicing enough to perform it well in front of a live audience. To conclude the band need to go back to the storyboard and learn the structure of the song and time signatures to perform it well.

First song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a3NcwfOBzQ Second song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3rnxQBizoU Third song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsj2iipPPts Forth song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg4wdkj56AA

Created and edited by Callum Trotter