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Description:
Left To Swing started out over 1.5 years ago as tracks Mason sent to me with lots of samples from various media outlets. Verses and choruses were written, squeezing out all but one of the samples, but leaving us with a gaping breakdown. Much of the time between writing and mixing was spent trying to figure out what to do with that breakdown, as it seemed too spare on its own, but definitely needed a change up from the pace of the verses and chorus.
Mason envisioned a female vocal in the breakdown, so after some fits and starts, we had A. Gair read from Neruda's "I'm Explaining A Few Things", as translated by Nathaniel Tarn, to take us through the breakdown.
Several things happened that made this mix a mess: we recorded three different times using different equipment, Mason was still perfecting the use of said equipment, various parts were re-recorded, and the levels were all over the place. In between the first recording and the mix, we completed another song with an altogether different feel (Why We Travel).
Vocals were recorded in the basement of my apartment, except for my breakdown vocals, recorded in Mason's house. We used the following equipment for recording vox:
1) Microphones: AT2020, Joe Meek JM37
2) Pre-amps: Joe Meek SixQ
3) One tape-together pop screen on a busted mic stand
As far as themes go, we didn't go much farther than the anger and disappointment that often comes with reading the daily news or listening to it. Methods used to sell us the news are discussed as verbs in the chorus.
Huy Dao
Performance Credits:
Huy Dao: lyrics, vocals, arrangement
Bryan Anderson: percussion, mastering, initial editing of song structure
Mason Wolak: guitars, bass, engineering, mixing
A. Gair: spoken word in middle breakdown section
Production Notes: The shear variety of equipment used to produce the guitar and bass sounds in this song warrant mention. All of the overdriven rhythm guitars in the song were recorded with a Gibson Les Paul fed into my homebuilt TMI Cyclotron, a 2 W Push-Pull guitar amp. The amp was driving a Marshall 1936 2X12 cabinet that was mic'd with a JoeMeek JM37 condenser mic fed into a Mackie Onyx 400F preamp.
TMI Cyclotron Guitar Amp used to record "Left to Swing"
The guitars are presented in the mix "as is" (no EQ or Compression) with the exception of the use of the Blockfish VST plug-in to emulate tape "saturation" to warm up the sound and make it seem a bit less "digital".
The tapping intro and outro portions of the song were recorded with a Gibson SG using the Line 6 Gearbox plug-in set to the Bogner and Diezel amp models. The phasing was added after the fact with Nomad Factory's excellent (and free) Phaser VST plug-in.
The clean-ish guitar solo that comes after the second chorus was recorded with a Vox Tonelab (on loan from friend Mike Schuette). The tonelab was also used to record the flanged lead line that precedes the heavy part of the breakdown.
The clean 5/4 rhythm lines in the middle section of the song were recorded D.I. into the Onyx 400F and were modified with the Amplitube 2 VST plug-in using the THD bivalve amp model.
Bass guitars were recorded D.I. using a combination of the the Amplitube 2 bass amp model and the AmpegSVT Uno plug-in.
Drums were recorded with Bardl dynamic drum mics and Behringer C-1 Condenser mics on a Yamaha 16 track mixer. The kick drum was replaced with samples as we were unable to get a "tight" enough kick sound, and snare drum samples layered with original snare drum track.
The song was tracked and mixed in Mackie Tracktion 3.0.3.3. The majority of dynamics and EQ processing was done with the Waves Musicians II set of plug-ins or the included T3 plug-ins. Waves Trueverb and DestroyFX Ambience were used for reverb processing. The song was mastered in Digital Performer with the included plug-in set and PSP Vintage Warmer.
Hardware:
Dual 1.8 GHz G5 w/ 1.5 GB RAM.
Software:
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Wake Up Call &mdash 01/07/08 - 08:08:36 AM
Need this with my coffee in the morning. Energy brings one up to speed quickly here, you got me there man and I'm out of the gate. Loved your change of tempos and mix.
There is a lot here to listen to here and it is going to take more than one listen.
Your amp has definitely done it's job. I want one. [ Reply to This ]
Monday eye opener &mdash 01/07/08 - 08:17:09 AM
heh... what a rockin' way to start my day - thanks
Love the timing, amp sounds great. got the ground noise out?
. - Harold [ Reply to This ]
thanks harold &mdash 01/07/08 - 08:45:40 AM
glad you like the tune. The grounding issue is actually in one of the other amp's I've built. I think I've traced it to a fried capacitor, so hopefully I'll have that sorted out soon. The amp I used for this song is pretty much dead quiet until you really crank it. [ Reply to This ]
fab &mdash 01/07/08 - 08:51:36 AM
Impressive stuff! The fast guitar playing, the bass and the heavy drums sounds fab! The vocals are very cool.
Surely a touch of madness around here:) [ Reply to This ]
oooooh &mdash 01/07/08 - 09:01:38 AM
definitly a sound of its own, loved it from the very first words to the final note, totally cool piece of massive rock [ Reply to This ]
holy hell man &mdash 01/07/08 - 10:25:54 AM
this sounds great....clean and punchy like a swift kick to the ole nuggets....everything sounds great....Mason that amp sounds wicked brother!!!! I have nothing bad to say about this.....a very cool assembly of ideas and sounds....the spoken word was a nice element that sits well in the chaos.....performances are top notch....slamming....just slamming.....top freakin kudos here people.....I think this may be my fav TMI cut....
thanks for pimping this out Mason......
peace [ Reply to This ]
Left to Swing &mdash 01/07/08 - 12:16:49 PM
this rock the guitars sound cool ..I m impressed
to see your amp very tight sound for the band
everyboyd just cool here ...welldone !! [ Reply to This ]
Epic Rock &mdash 01/07/08 - 12:52:22 PM
Every time I hear some TMI music I want to run out and buy a Joe Meek SixQ.
The arrangement on this song is wicked. It would be great if you posted the lyrics.
Your homemade amp sounds sweet and I envy your electronic skills.
My only gripe is that sometimes the drums don't sound like a cohesive unit. As you have pointed out the kick was replaced by samples. The toms just sort of ring a little too much and don't match the sound of the rest of the kit.
Other than that this is a fine piece of production, songwriting, performance, and electronic ingenuity! [ Reply to This ]
thanks! &mdash 01/07/08 - 01:40:48 PM
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you like the arrangement, Bryan is just a wizard at putting a song together. I sent him like 11 minutes worth of material that was basically a crazy mis-match of stuff and he came back with a suggested song structure that felt coherent, punchy, and fresh.
With regards to the SixQ - it's a pretty good unit, but I gotta say I'll be moving away from it for future productions, since I've just completed building a new mic preamp that sounds killer and I have a SSL-clone compressor on the way... Though I will say that the SixQ really shines on vox.
Mason [ Reply to This ]
Clone &mdash 01/08/08 - 11:19:10 AM
I've read that the SixQ is a rather "musical" channel strip. If you don't mind, what is the SSL-clone compressor you have in mind?
Can't wait to hear something from your new mic preamp! [ Reply to This ]
SSL clone &mdash 01/08/08 - 04:28:03 PM
One of the most famous compressors used on pop and rock music over the last 15 years or so is the Solid State Logic mix bus compressor, which until recently you could only get your hands on if you had an SSL mixing desk (a.k.a $1 million dollar investment). An enterprising engineer apparently pulled one of out of his console and reverse engineered it, so there are some schematics for it floating around on the web. SSL has started selling their own rack version, but it is prohibitively expensive (> $3K). You can put one together for a fraction of the price. I've read up a lot on the SSL clone and everyone seems to LOVE it, so I can't wait to finish it up.
My dual tube preamp is done and sounds killer, but I think I'm going to put in a high and low shelving EQ to make it a little more "on the fly tweakable". I did some test runs with an acoustic the other day and was really happy with the sound. I also recorded some bass into the D.I. and wow did it sound heavy and detailed.
Getting back to the SixQ, I like that it can do its job without "taking over" the sound. The EQ is very good if you are mic'ing up your guitar and you have a designated spot to fit it into a mix. The compression works great on vocals, it really evens things out. I like to run Huy's lead vox through the compressor to give a nice "up front" and even sound, then run an uncompressed backing vocal buried underneath it.
Honestly though, my favorite thing about buying the SixQ was that I got a JM37 mic for free with the purchase. I absolutely LOVE this mic. I bought a dedicated guitar mic (Sennheiser e609) that is supposed to be great for cabinets, but I always find that I like the JM37 on my amps much, much better. It's weird because the reviews I've read for the JM37 aren't all the impressive, but I find that I like it over many other more highly regarded mics. Guess it just shows that personal preference is so important when it comes to making music.
Mason [ Reply to This ]
Nice &mdash 01/09/08 - 01:21:40 AM
Thanks for your reply on the SSL-Clone. If your version turns out well (which I am sure it will judging from your past endeavors) you could probably sell some out of your car trunk (or on the internet) and make some money. It kind of sucks though when a hobby becomes like a job, so maybe you wouldn't want to make more (takes too much time away from writing, recording, and mixing).
Also thanks for a more detailed glimpse into the SixQ. I noticed in your detailed gear listings for your songs that you used the JM37 quite a bit. It's sweet you got that for free. I might have to look into that mic.
Your right about personal preference, everybody has one and that's what makes us unique.
[ Reply to This ]
good ears &mdash 01/08/08 - 08:34:17 AM
I was thinking about your comments on the drum track and I know exactly what you're talking about.
This is the first time I ever had a full individually tracked drum kit to mix and I really struggled with getting it to sound tight and coherent. I feel a little bad because I know that Bryan would have done a better job with his drums, but he is busy getting ready for Sweden, so the mix fell on me. Simply put, Bryan is a better producer than I am (check out his work on Rubicon, it's incredible), but he did help guide me through this track.
Mason [ Reply to This ]
don't worry &mdash 01/09/08 - 01:15:09 AM
Don't worry about it Mason. There were some things about my original recordings that I was never happy with, such as the snare wasn't as tight as it could've been and it was the first time I had tried using my own toms in a TMI recording rather than just samples. Unfortunately, the amount of time I've had this year meant that I never really had a decent chance to try and re-record the things I wasn't happy with. Ideally, if I had a 4+ channel audio interface I could've done things a lot better... but with stereo mixing, it means that there's always somethings I don't have as much control over as I wanted.
You still did a good job mate. [ Reply to This ]
Zepplin 2.0? &mdash 01/07/08 - 01:02:00 PM
Hah! &mdash 01/07/08 - 01:04:03 PM
I even hear a bit of latter-day King Crimson in the change-up (and that's a GOOD thing).
Rock on! [ Reply to This ]
It's clear &mdash 01/07/08 - 01:31:44 PM
Zack de La Rocha on the mic.. Great song guys.. You really rock.. This soundz more like BodyCount... Well performed and produced... Pro job [ Reply to This ]
Neat stuff ! &mdash 01/07/08 - 01:36:16 PM
Splendid playing all round :-)
I liked this, a lot.
Not unlike Discipline era King Crimson.
Cheers
Dick
[ Reply to This ]
thanks Mr. Langford! &mdash 01/07/08 - 07:49:00 PM
you know, it's funny... a lot of people bring up King Crimson when they hear the music I write, but I've never really listened to them. I do listen to a lot of bands that site King Crimson as an influence, so I guess in a way they are an indirect influence on me through other bands.
Every time I play something new I've written for my dad, he mentions King Crimson...
Mason [ Reply to This ]
Hah! &mdash 01/08/08 - 01:35:36 AM
Yeah &mdash 02/22/08 - 11:07:01 AM
I thought of that too, especially the vocal ("This is dangerous place"), [ Reply to This ]
this is a dangeous place &mdash 05/31/08 - 05:24:07 PM
Wow! &mdash 01/07/08 - 07:59:35 PM
This is very, very cool... unique, killer tone from that amp! Top notch performances from everyone and a near perfect mix.
Thanks for the detail on how this was all put together. Sometimes the story of the song is as interesting as the tune itself. [ Reply to This ]
thanks! &mdash 01/08/08 - 07:27:08 AM
Glad you liked the tune. I'm very happy with the sound of the new amp... I've been looking for something that felt "signature" to my playing for a long, long time. I feel like I'm pretty near getting that sound now.
Funny thing is that I must have tracked the rhythm guitars about 15 times for this tune using a wide variety of different plug-ins and amps before settling on the right sound. It was really a nightmare. I even have a few mixes that featured my Marshall 6100 30th anniversary head. I didn't like any of the takes until I got to my own homebuilt amp - it just had a different presence and edge to it than any of the other ways I tried to record the guitar.
mason [ Reply to This ]
what Damien said &mdash 01/07/08 - 08:18:01 PM
there is so much cool stuff going on here. complex, jammin and a very cool ride. The 'interlude' was my fav part/ the sound of that guitar is outrageously good.. [ Reply to This ]
Comment from the KVR forum &mdash 01/08/08 - 08:30:52 AM
consolidating comments -- here is a comment from Mauvehead at the KVR forum:
That was pretty sweet as far as the song goes. I'd like to hear it on my studio monitors here in the next day or two to better hear how the drums and bass were EQ'd (I just listened to it on a pair of crappy PC monitors). Excellent vibe! The guitar tones brought me back to the days of early Rage mixed with the cool retro heaviness of Cake's "Going the Distance" (only faster). The playing is very tight indeed. Nice and original. And thanks for not doing the cliche' screaming crap that everybody seems to have a talent for these days. Also, I loved the chick's voice in the song. Good job! [ Reply to This ]
like the guitar tone! &mdash 01/08/08 - 09:00:38 AM
i think in parts IMO it's a bit far back in the mix, but only in like 2 parts.
nice sounds, though. it's an impressive thing to build and design your own amps. my hat's off!
as to the song. i think it points a "fair and balanced" middle finger right where it needs to go :-)
it's a very cool tune, guys! very tight rhythms! nice work!
-Jason [ Reply to This ]
thanks Jason &mdash 01/08/08 - 09:07:28 AM
Jason, I know you have built your own guitar in the past, so I'm pretty sure that you'd enjoy building amps too. If you ever decide to give it a go, let me know because I'm more than willing to help you along with the process and lend whatever (minimal) expertise I have. Glad you enjoyed the tune.
Mason [ Reply to This ]
Kicking &mdash 01/08/08 - 12:02:42 PM
Man, this is mental - freakin excellent production, this kicks like three legged nun on mescaline. Excellent! [ Reply to This ]
not bad &mdash 01/08/08 - 12:04:48 PM
this has so much rage against the machine sound alike but still a good song good job [ Reply to This ]
great &mdash 01/08/08 - 04:48:28 PM
definition and sound out of that amp..... nice tones from the tonelab(probably the best hardware out there)....great guitar recording over all.....2 thumbs up!!!!!!!!.... [ Reply to This ]
Rage Against the Machine-ish &mdash 01/09/08 - 07:24:57 AM
And that's a good thing.
I really dig the unusual time signatures - and you play around with them very well. Nice driving power and very good performances.
The only thing I can mention that annoyed me is the sound of the kick drum. It just sounds too thin - to my ears, anyway.
But otherwise this is kick-ass.
-Einar S. [ Reply to This ]
Great &mdash 01/09/08 - 12:59:43 PM
Yes, there's definitely a RATM sound in this, which is cool as I think Rage are great. Specifically, some of the vox make me think of "Testify". The guitar sound is fantastic, and I love the odd timings in here... 5/4 in triplets--you don't hear enough of that! [ Reply to This ]
Very cool &mdash 01/09/08 - 03:29:20 PM
Guitar sounds are amazing.This sounds great LOUD.I like the breakdown in the middle.Fantastic production. [ Reply to This ]
Pretty cool stuff &mdash 01/09/08 - 07:24:42 PM
Mike Patton would be into this - I hear a little Mr. Bungle and some Zappa too. Neat. [ Reply to This ]
RAGE &mdash 01/09/08 - 11:58:27 PM
Hey, awesome track. great energy. really clean production. everything about this is quality. love the breakdown and buildup about 3 minutes in. If I'm old school Del, then you are new-born RATM. and i mean that in the best sense. Keep on rockin man. [ Reply to This ]
Wow... &mdash 01/10/08 - 11:20:34 AM
...don't know what else to say...very serious stuff...and then the description of equipment...I love to talk shop and you gave me my money's worth, here.
All in all: an excellent auditory and intellectually stimulating experience...
[ Reply to This ]
BTW &mdash 01/10/08 - 11:22:31 AM
marketing &mdash 01/10/08 - 11:36:40 AM
well... not yet, but I will say that I've received a lot of very positive responses from many in the DIY amp building community. Definitely had a lot of requests to share my schematics, so that's encouraging.
Personally I think I'm a long ways from being able to market, I've only got 3 amps under my belt and I still have a lot to learn, although I am pleased with the progress I've been making.
Thanks for listening and providing comments and kind words.
Mason [ Reply to This ]
Ah Yes .... &mdash 01/12/08 - 11:01:10 PM
...I knew that if I let Beer Friday to run into Beer Saturday I would find a tune like this ... fabulous! [ Reply to This ]
Wow! &mdash 01/17/08 - 01:05:52 AM
I like the protest feel this gives off. Very energetic and powerful. Your amps sound great. They have detail and warmth. Overall this tune ROCKS! You could even put this in the "Heavy Metal" genre. The story behind the production notes were both detailed and interesting.
I enjoyed this piece very much. Keep em coming!
TMI is now a fav of mine. [ Reply to This ]
wow... &mdash 01/23/08 - 09:48:00 AM
love it... the break works like crazy... guitars smash on.... great tune!! [ Reply to This ]
Left to Swing (w/ The Composer) &mdash 02/08/08 - 12:35:16 PM
Hi
Yeah this I like. Although I am no way a music expert and still learning the ropes so to speak.
Loads of energy and love went into this I can imagine.
The way you bring it down a tone or two lower,
love the Guitar, voice over is good.
lyrics as well, interesting concept. Great mix
Sounds are great.
Thanks
Dee.
[ Reply to This ]
Tight, dynamic, hi-powered creepy! &mdash 02/21/08 - 02:12:28 PM
Like freefalleffect said, holy hell, man! Chops, killer vox and everything's precise and powerful. The overall composition has great punch. and it does NOT sound over-compressed, it's a treat for the ears... even with all that blood in the streets. I got a chuckle out of those panning guitar notes at around 2:40. [ Reply to This ]
All I can say....... &mdash 07/11/08 - 04:51:40 PM
is this is the best sonic candy I have heard in a very long time. I am fan of your extraordinary music and the pearls of wisdom you share so readily. Thank you, I know just visiting you regularly will teach me more than I ever imagined possible. [ Reply to This ]
Cool &mdash 07/18/08 - 05:14:29 PM
This is a really great rock song.... The sound on this is cool.... I like it a lot... Great [ Reply to This ]
An education &mdash 07/23/08 - 01:50:14 PM
Hey, just wanted to say that I thought that this was brilliant, and not just music. It's great that you're so open in sharing the detail on the creative and recording process.
For me this is exactly what Mac Jams is all about, so huge thanks for the insight and the music
As the old saying goes "knowledge is power", but only if we share it, and then it's empowering
Cheers
S [ Reply to This ]
WOW &mdash 07/28/08 - 07:59:06 PM
The guitar sound is sick! Nice job! That amp really sounds killer! Noice job my man and cool song! Wasn't diggin the chicks voice! Sounded wimpy in such a stellar rocker! [ Reply to This ]
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There is a lot here to listen to here and it is going to take more than one listen.
Your amp has definitely done it's job. I want one.
[ Reply to This ]