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Keywords:
Tiny Man Inside (1), Rubicon (1), Dynasty (1), Empire Building (1), Rome (2), War (106), Conflict (2)
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Description:
Performance Credits:
Vocals/lyrics: Huy Dao
Drums/production/tabla-faking: Bryan Anderson (a.k.a. The Composer)
Guitars/bass: Mason Wolak
Although this is now the 2nd "real" song by Tiny Man Inside, it's the first where I (Bryan) have had a chance to share creative control in the writing of a song with Mason and Huy, as 'Stain on the Flag' was already part of their repertoire.
It was close to a year ago when Mason and I began playing a game of virtual ping pong -bouncing riffs, beats and ideas back and forth over the internet. The ideas largely revolved around odd time signatures, heavy playing and some Middle Eastern flavors... all of which fed off each other and slowly grew into the monstrous song you have before you.
This process took a short (3/4 of a year) hiatus for various reasons including Huy's geographical positioning... which was quite frustrating at the time, but in retrospect has given us all time to substantially hone our techniques with regards to both recording and performing. Looking back on the 'almost finished' recordings from February this year... they sound like we're playing with toys under a blanket compared to the sounds we have now.
So we present to you guitars with a bone snapping crunch, drums with a razor edge, vocals with a trenchant bite and some tabla being played with an Arabic calculator.
---- Bryan Anderson (The Composer)
Hardware. USA: Dual 1.8 GHz G5, 2 GB RAM; Dell Latitude D510, 1 GB RAM, Digidesign MBox, Mackie Onyx 400F, Presonus TubePre, JoeMeek SixQ channel strip, AT2020 condenser mic, JoeMeek JM37 condenser mic, ’98 Gibson Les Paul Studio, ’82 Gibson SG, Dean bass. Australia: Behringer Eurorack UB1002 Mixer, 2x Behringer C-1 Mics, Drumkit, eMac G4 1.25 GHz, 1 GB RAM
Sound Engineering/Software: All overdriven rhythm guitars were tracked in Pro Tools 7.0. The guitars were recorded direct, using a Presonus TubePre preamp and the signal was then fed into a Digidesign MBox at line level. The IK Multimedia plug-in Amplitube (version 1) was used to craft the overdriven guitar sounds, using the modern hi-gain amp setting (a.k.a. Soldano) as the basis for the sound. The Waves Renaissance Ax plug-in was used to compress the initial signal during the tracking. The soundscape was further sculpted using the Pulltec EQ bundle to give added “crunch” and density. All rhythm guitars were triple-tracked.
The sustained/harmonized high-pitched guitar line during the verse sections was recorded using both the TubePre/MBox/ProTools setup and a Mackie Onyx 400F/Tracktion setup. Two separate tracks (one featuring the root note and the other featuring the harmonized note) were recorded with the MBox, with each track panned hard left and right. A third track was recorded with the Onyx 400F, using a Rectifier amp setting in IK Multimedia’s Amplitube Two. A harmonizer rack was added to the signal path and set to match the notes in the two previously recorded tracks. The three tracks were then blended together during mixdown.
The clean rhythm guitar sounds were recorded in Tracktion 2.1 using the high-Z input of the Onyx 400F audio interface, and further modified using the Amplitube Two plug-in. The THD bivalve amp simulation was used as the basis for the clean sounds. The clean guitar solo in the middle tabla section was also recorded using this setting, with additional reverb and delay processing added during mixdown.
All bass guitars were tracked in ProTools 7.0 with the TubePre/MBox set-up. Initial equalization and compression was provided by the Digidesign JoeMeek plug-in suite. The source tracks were then imported into Tracktion 2.1 and re-amped using the Amplitube Two plug-in with the “ThickBass” setting.
Vocals were recorded in two separate stages. All “whisper” parts were tracked using an AT2020 condenser mic through a TubePre preamp with a high gain setting for added harmonic distortion. The signal was fed into the MBox and recorded in Pro Tools 7.0. The verses and choruses were tracked using a JoeMeek JM37 condenser mic using the preamps in the Onyx 400F. A JoeMeek SixQ channel strip used as an insert for real-time processing of the signal. Mild 2:1 compression was used on the vocals with a 4.5 db cut at 6 kHz, along with a very slight (~ 1 db) boost at 800 Hz. The vocalist (Huy) has already expressed his desire to re-record the word “Fire” in the song’s first verse.
Drums were tracked in Digital Performer 4.6, using Behringer C-1 mics through a Behringer Eurorack mixer. Kontakt was used to construct the tabla sections with relevant samples downloaded from Mean Beat. The completed drum tracks were forwarded to Mason and Huy, who then tracked guitar, bass, and vocals as detailed above.
Digital Performer was used for the final mixdown, using the standard dynamics plug-in suite included with the program. Vocals were further processed with a pre-amp and an EQ cut below 600 Hz. Spatial effects during the verses were created by sending the guitars tracks into an aux delay track in swells. Additional spatial effects were provided by the Ambience Reverb plug-in ( Smart Electronix ).
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yeah.... : ) &mdash 11/02/06 - 11:14:37 AM
i love it! &mdash 11/02/06 - 11:25:43 AM
great song &mdash 11/02/06 - 03:27:15 PM
Very creative sh*t!! Love the power of this one so as the lyrics... RATM vs Biohazard vs Slayer... Very well produced and arranged... [ Reply to This ]
Love the HARD thrash &mdash 11/02/06 - 07:19:06 PM
on this one, you guys are knockin' it out here. The ambience you've imported with the percussion is something else, cantelevered by the clean drums and awesome guitar parts (multiple sounds here), supported by a clean "angry" vox delivery.... Really a keeper for me, thanks for sharing it! . - Harold [ Reply to This ]
I think... &mdash 11/02/06 - 07:35:02 PM
I also hear a little Tool influence in this. I also think this friggin' rocks! Nice job guys! [ Reply to This ]
good ear &mdash 11/03/06 - 07:53:04 AM
Yup... Bryan, Huy, and I are all influenced by Tool. We tried to incorporate a lot of uncommon time signatures in this song, much like Tool does. But, at the same time we're very conscious of not trying to just copy their style. I think this song does have as "dark" a feel as all the Tool stuff. The flow is a lot lighter.
And of course... I could only dream of getting a guitar sound like Adam Jones.
Anyway, glad you liked it.
Mason
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Distract! dissemble, disband. Dissect, discredit, disown! [ Reply to This ]
whoops &mdash 11/03/06 - 07:54:41 AM
that was a typo - it should have read "doesn't"
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Distract! dissemble, disband. Dissect, discredit, disown! [ Reply to This ]
this tune... &mdash 11/02/06 - 10:20:01 PM
is full of spies and action. full of entrique. liked you getting in depth on production details for tech geeks. i should mention i' going to watch mission immpossble 3 tonight. this is a nice lead in for it.
Vic [ Reply to This ]
thanks! &mdash 11/03/06 - 07:57:47 AM
Funny you should say the song is full of "spies"... the first thing that my wife said when she heard the rough demo of the music was that she thought it would fit into a James Bond film. We were really trying to capture a wide range of dynamics in this song - I think Bryan did a great job as a producer, coaxing out a lot of different sounds that I didn't really know we had in us.
Mason
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Distract! dissemble, disband. Dissect, discredit, disown! [ Reply to This ]
really tight! &mdash 11/02/06 - 11:32:29 PM
I concur with the other 2, reminiscent of 'Rage', but hell of a lot more interesting!
Well done guys! [ Reply to This ]
This &mdash 11/03/06 - 09:18:01 AM
Is wonderful.
and, I must say, one ofthe most detailed sond descriptions I have seen on Mjs!
Good work !
Slimmie [ Reply to This ]
Thanks Slim! &mdash 11/03/06 - 09:43:28 AM
It's probably overkill to write such a detailed description, but the song went through so many changes over the course of its lifetime that I felt it would be interesting for people to understand how it came together.
I think we really challenged Bryan's production abilities here because there was so much varied equipment used in tracking. I actually completely changed my audio interface halfway through recording. The fact that Bryan was able to meld this all into a cohesive sound is a testament to his skills!
Mason
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Distract! dissemble, disband. Dissect, discredit, disown! [ Reply to This ]
This &mdash 11/03/06 - 09:18:01 AM
Is wonderful.
and, I must say, one ofthe most detailed sond descriptions I have seen on Mjs!
Good work !
Slimmie [ Reply to This ]
Sets the Blood To Boil &mdash 11/03/06 - 09:39:19 AM
Damn, this kicks butt gents. The production, the performances are just top notch. Great rock tune here, very impressed, yet not surprised. Drums are so sharp and intense, the guitars so raunchy and powerful, vocals full of emotion. Yeah, the Rage/Tube influences are here, but the students are giving the masters a serious run for the money. Hat's off. [ Reply to This ]
You Know... &mdash 11/03/06 - 09:45:59 AM
...I really don't get into the whole vote thing too much. I've had my stuff beat up by a couple of people here and there but I don't try to pay it no mind. If someone leaves me a negative comment and negative vote, I can take that. If they just leave a negative vote and no comment, that feels underhanded but so be it, I'm no great artist and this doesn't matter a whole lot in the scheme of my life. However, some idiot has hit you guys with 4/5s on this tune. Maybe this isn't everybody's cup of tea, but 4/5s? How about you fellows do us all a favor and complain to admin? Maybe we can get some deadbeats kicked off of here for good.
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<a href=http://www.macjams.com/song/25365>Bounce Buffet</a> [ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 11/03/06 - 10:20:29 AM
Gentlemen
Great Job was else can be said. Thanks for detailed description of how song was recorded it helps us that are learning the art of recording.
Ed [ Reply to This ]
,-) &mdash 11/03/06 - 11:45:17 PM
Mahavishnu ...revisited !! &mdash 11/04/06 - 03:33:03 AM
very interguing drum session and tabla
the feel there very reminded me of Mahavishnu
Orch .specialy the intro .. good Job ! [ Reply to This ]
great guitar sound &mdash 11/05/06 - 09:41:47 AM
Wicked guitar sound on this one. Very clean sound. The only problem I felt was that it felt like it lacked a bit of energy - maybe the bass needs to be more driving or the whole song is a bit overlong and repetitious. Some editing would really tighten it up. Great production overall though. [ Reply to This ]
thanks for listening &mdash 11/06/06 - 08:12:35 AM
Glad you liked the guitar sounds. I agonize over my tone, speeding hours recording and tweaking... I still haven't gotten the exact tone that I want, but I'm getting closer. Bryan also did a great job of sharpening it up during mixdown.
I understand your point about the song being very long, but if you look at it, it's really only 2 verses and 2 choruses. There is really no section that is repeated exactly the same more than twice. And the point of the song isn't really to be a barnburner like our other stuff - it is a more introspective piece.
Anyway, thanks for listening. We have some more new stuff in the works that is very high energy that you will hopefully enjoy.
Mason
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Distract! dissemble, disband. Dissect, discredit, disown! [ Reply to This ]
I Hate You Guys... &mdash 11/05/06 - 09:55:36 PM
...Because this is so amazing. Wish I had your recording and mixing skills. I really appreciate you posting what you used and how you did it. Perhaps I'll learn something to better my recordings from it. (Although I admit I don't understand most of what you wrote.) Great recording, great song, great arrangement, incredible creativity all around. How ever I do wish that snare drum matched the intensity and the color of the rest of the track. Nevertheless, a monster of a record indeed! The highest marks. [ Reply to This ]
its the guitar tone &mdash 11/06/06 - 02:59:37 PM
that gets me. the chirps and nuanced blips that pepper the mix. the solid smashing pumpkins phat tone thru out. very pro sounding and high octane. Bryan's the king of time signatures here and exoctic percussive beats. really nice. lots of interesting dynamics and segways. [ Reply to This ]
allthough... &mdash 11/08/06 - 10:18:39 AM
...not being up my alley, I can appreciate the production and the skills behind it...very well crafted - good solid deep mix! [ Reply to This ]
Effective &mdash 11/09/06 - 08:44:27 AM
I like the repetition at the beginning and especially love the middle bass riff. The lone bass and drums add the necessary time-out. Fantastic sound quality. Well done. [ Reply to This ]
Great job &mdash 11/26/06 - 07:31:58 PM
Obviously you put a hellava lot of work into this beast, and it shows. Very exciting and professional, and the comprehensive tech details were a good read. [ Reply to This ]
This . . . &mdash 12/01/06 - 08:06:07 PM
is my favorite song of yours that I've heard so far. The tabla intro was f*#@ing poetry. Well done.
I like the R.A.T.M/Refused feel to this.
Don't stop, please. Don't stop.
-g [ Reply to This ]
By the way, &mdash 12/01/06 - 08:10:25 PM
might you be able to re-seed the download for this tune, or are there copyright issues at stake?
-g
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If you find yourself lacking finesse, a big rock will usually make a sufficient substitute. [ Reply to This ]
YEOW &mdash 12/27/06 - 06:44:24 PM
Cool song! That dude sounds too much like Rage! Drums didn't really flow in my opinion. Not a bad song. Seemed like there was too much going on in the drums! Only Joey Jordison can pull that off! Keep rockin! [ Reply to This ]
Jeez &mdash 01/03/07 - 01:04:07 PM
you've got a lot of equipment, but you sure know how to put it to good use. Cracking production (lurve the bass), but what really impresses is the vocals, especially the use of low register at the start - really atmospheric.
This absolutely kicks ass - cracking!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
heavy duty &mdash 01/18/07 - 05:32:50 PM
rockin track...artfully done....kool!....u managed to get a really great sounding guitar tracks......detailed and thick.......enjoyed it much!!! [ Reply to This ]
verey good &mdash 01/23/07 - 01:06:17 AM
Listening again! &mdash 02/01/07 - 02:48:44 PM
Ok I know what it is! I like the tune! Alot of cool changes but the timing was off in aot of places between guitar and drums. Tighten it up and you've got a killa tune! [ Reply to This ]
question for you &mdash 02/21/07 - 03:00:51 PM
Can you please point to specifics? I'm not sure that I agree with your assessment -
I know that there are timing errors in the slow-down outro portion of the song (about 5:30 in), but that is actually a musical metaphor representing the downfall or decline of an empire and was intentionally skewed with respect to the drums to create a sound akin to crumbling and decay. So yes, there are timing issues late in the song, but they are intentional.
There is also a part in the intro to the song where Bryan (drums) and I play "against" each other to generate a type of "tug of war" sound. Again, this is intentional is designed to reinforce the message of the song.
You had a similar comment on our song "Stain on the Flag" and I am beginning to think that you have difficulty assimilating and recognizing uncommon and/or changing time signatures - for example the chorus of Rubicon features alternating measures of 6/4 and 7/4 which are designed to keep the listener off balance, but the execution between guitar and drums is pretty much flawless when you look at the waveforms.
I'm very curious to know what you're hearing here.
Mason
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/25785">The latest offering by Tiny Man Inside - <b>Rubicon</b></a> [ Reply to This ]
ya know... &mdash 02/21/07 - 10:56:10 AM
its kinda ragey but i think its also well beyond them in many respects. the talent/skill here is phenomenal.
- Syd B. [ Reply to This ]
thanks &mdash 02/21/07 - 03:07:42 PM
Thanks for the comment and I really appreciate your assessment of our talent/skills.
I wanted to take a second to address one of the main comparisons that many people have made regarding the TMI music posted here (this isn't directed specifically at you Dave, its just a general comment):
I get the Rage comparison that many people like to point to, but at the same time I think there are very distinct differences between their "sound" and ours.
First off, Tommy Morello's rhythm playing is very basic and his rhythm guitar sounds are not nearly as heavy as the sounds that we are after.
Also, they very rarely ever use any time signature other than 4/4, whereas we constantly switch up time sigs and tempos.
I would say the backing music for Rage is very "groove oriented" whereas we are more "crunch" oriented, if that makes any sense.
Mason
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/25785">The latest offering by Tiny Man Inside - <b>Rubicon</b></a> [ Reply to This ]
Like the almost &mdash 07/16/07 - 04:22:34 PM
Twilight Zone on steroids type feel.
Very hypnotic, cool lead guitar. The lyrics seem to have nice flow with the music! [ Reply to This ]
Nice one guys! &mdash 07/17/07 - 07:55:23 AM
I liked this alot. Great production and performances. It has great momentum. Nice hard guitars too! Nice start and end with the percussions. I can see there is alot of work put into this.Sweet! [ Reply to This ]
zakk wylde loves your squealies...... &mdash 07/21/07 - 02:45:18 AM
this production is insane!!!!!!
all i have to mix in is g.b., so i can only hope to get a finished product with half the ambience and polish......one thing, tho, personally, i needed less compression and more volume on the guitars. the tone is a righteous old school metal sound, one which i am most familiar with, but i felt it was a little squashed in the overall mix..the clean guitar parts are flawless, and the drums are well done.
i am glad for norman goodman for posting that thread about montgomery california, my side 'band', or i might not have found you here amongst all the many talented individuals at macjams dot-com...bitchen song..... [ Reply to This ]
damn! &mdash 08/14/07 - 07:05:14 PM
this is freaking killer!
a very cool direction musically! very fresh!
killer guitar playing, awesome beat... just a crazy good tune!!! [ Reply to This ]
man &mdash 09/04/07 - 07:24:58 AM
That production is the nutz. The guitar, bass and drums sound f'in fantastic. Extremely well done song, from writing to finished tune. [ Reply to This ]
Wowee! &mdash 11/30/07 - 02:05:06 AM
That song was quite a journey. I love songs with meter changes!! The drums were splendid. Thanks for posting all of the geek stuff. You guys rock the house, and then bring it tumbling down! [ Reply to This ]
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