Lo2 – Natural Sonic Components

Listening Skills

Natural Sonic components

So far we have begun to look at how sound can be recorded and represented on studio albums.

Today we will look at the concept of listening and hearing, and how natural and urban environments can help direct us to one of these focuses.

Recording – ‘Capturing a moment’

Many producers often use the phrase ‘capture the moment’ when referring to a particular recording session.

This phrase is becoming less and less commonly used as production moves further away from live and band focused recordings.

Our norm

In 2013 we are most used to hearing albums produced where the members of a band are not all present on every day of recording and have no idea how the finished product will sound until its completion.

This gives us a certain listening experience, or we could argue ‘hearing’ experience, as this is the music we hear.

What makes us listen

Something I have noticed more recently is that when listening to albums that have been recorded a live shows or recorded live (as a band all at once but for purposes of producing a record), that there is a very different experience for the listener.

This type of recording process draws in the listener, you find that you are much more drawn to the music and gripped in anticipation of what will happen next and the musicality of the performers communicating musically with each other.

Snarky Puppy Recording - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsGHkUeTc_w

Listening at home/live

This type of record brings the listen back to the type of focus that a concert-goer gives to the band that they are listening too.

But why is this?

Why does this type of production encourage listening rather than hearing?

Musicianship

Bands with good musicianship, understanding or chemistry are those which benefit most from being recorded in this way as it is their undeniable talent that can be witnessed it full on the recording this way.

The skill of a musician who punches in different sections of a track is not demonstrated by recording in this way, nor is their talent progressed thorough performing several takes.

So how can we recognise recordings of this nature?

Obviously it depends on the style of the music, and in certain styles such as Funk and Rock there will be clear links between the connection of parts between instruments.

1.A tighter rhythm section is likely to be the biggest most noticeable musical component evident in full band recordings.2.A more dynamic mix – With the band playing all together, a good initial mix will be needed to understand how the final product will sound. Also it is less likely that the producer will automate volume bringing instruments up in volume during quieter sections to maintain listener focus.3.There may be some slight bleed between instruments in older recordings where bands would record in the same room only separated by temporary walls. These days this is less common, with some studios containing several recording booths which are able to house an instrument each.4.Arguably greater compositions – Good musicians will create better ideas during performance than by pre-consuming their composition and attempting to deliver a completed product.5.A replication of a live experience without audience noise or live sound recording quality/bleed – Referring to feel and band chemistry again.

Pro’s and Con’s

Pro’s•A greater representation of the bands live act•Possibly boosting the bands live ticket sales•More engaging listening experience•More interesting compositions

Con’s•This will not appeal to those who wish to see the un-imaginable achieved on recordings•Nothing for technologists to be excited by•This does not progress music technology and the development of new recording techniques.

Home study task

Band recording or individually tracked?:

1.Maceo Parker – ‘Show me something Good’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG-EuebQ_3g2.Daft Punk – ‘Lose Yourself to Dance’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF-kLy44Hls3.RHCP – ‘Under the Bridge’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvohMXgcBo4.John Mayer – ‘Assassin’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22C_xlt05GY5.Fort Minor – ‘Remember the Name’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDvr08sCPOc6.The Beach Boys – ‘Good Vibrations’- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eab_beh07HU7.Gun’s ‘N’ Roses – ‘November Rain’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbUC-UaAxE8.Snarky Puppy – ‘Thing of Gold’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZBlRkF0-to9.High Contrast – ‘The Agony and The Ecstasy’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E2K3EJ5RTY10.Gym Class Heroes – ‘Guilty as Charged’ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp95RMXlLy4&list=PL376340D8745BFF6311.The Album Leaf – ‘Always for You’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jYr2fDgn6412.Adele – ‘Set Fire to the Rain’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlsBObg-1BQ13.Aim – ‘Let the Funk Ride’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9Pbtc1kMRY14.Public Enemy – ‘Harder than you think’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCx5Std7mCo15.Land of Talk – ‘Its Okay’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m53--yTPQNk