Here's a newie...this time it's finished already THOUGH I'm more than happy for comments on how it can be improved as I may revisit, but will definitely keeps such ideas in mind for the next song. Misha engineered the vocals by Katya.
BIAB supplied the SKA drums though not, strangely, from a ska style ,(SkaFast Pop Wes), I had to search for this one as the kit in the style was way over the top with splashy cymbals, and an organ from somewhere...I auditioned almost every Hammond sounding one until this jumped at me. No Farfisa to be found. AND the horns which are a blend of a coupe of different funk and RnB styles, (3257 Horn Section Blues Shuffle & 2348 Horn Section Funk 2 part), with added Mel 9 lines for some bottom end. LOTS of cutting and pasting was needed for these.
Bass & guitar are me using a Vantage bass through a Behringer BDI21 - Sansamp clone, (15% of the cost and a remarkably good replica), and an ancient Guyatone LT125 guitar through a Marshall Superbass & Marshall cab double mic'd with a Sennheiser e609. Audio interface is an SSL2. The 4K button was used on bass, guitar and vocals.
Set in A major and moves from 130-140bpms
Tracked & mixed in Reaper...non native plugin was PSP Vintage warmer 2.
Lyrics are in the video.
Thanks Misha and particularly Katya for advice, assistance and THAT VOICE! Excellent.
Oh, YES! So cool. First of all, the music. Right from the idea in the lyrics this is superb. Love the bass in particular, very creative and supportive. Excellent guitar work. The organ sounds fine --Farfisas are tough to find. I like the protest vibe of the song. Katya is the perfect choice, and sounds great in the mix. The video was also superb, supporting the lyrics with visual aides. hehe Loved it, Ray. No suggestions for mix improvement because it too was perfect. Everything sits in the right place and each piece can be heard.
I read your description and was looking forward to hearing female vocals and horns, but could barely hear either. Made me wonder if my headphones were messed up. But otherwise, I totally dug the song and its message. The male vocal was good and there is always a great feeling in your live instruments. Very well done.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Oh, YES! So cool. First of all, the music. Right from the idea in the lyrics this is superb. Love the bass in particular, very creative and supportive. Excellent guitar work. The organ sounds fine --Farfisas are tough to find. I like the protest vibe of the song. Katya is the perfect choice, and sounds great in the mix. The video was also superb, supporting the lyrics with visual aides. hehe Loved it, Ray. No suggestions for mix improvement because it too was perfect. Everything sits in the right place and each piece can be heard.
Thanks Marty, I was going to retrack the bass to be more frenetic like it often was in ska but the loping lines seemed to be a nice contrast to the guitars so I resisted. The guitar was difficult I have to own up to A LOT of slicing & dicing to get the rhythm consistent. Thanks again.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Cool! Rather edgy, the video fits the music. I'd like to hear the vocals a tad more forward though. Those images of the "American Nazi Party" are a stark reminder of how easy it is to warp minds. well done! moto
Thanks Cpt., I've commented on the vocals above...I didn't want to be cruel. Yes, Maddison Square Gardens with 20 or 40 thousand neo Nazis in 1939 does suggest the media had a little to do with it. I wonder how George's family felt about his image being used? Things change but some things don't.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Wow, that's ambitious, really edgy-cool, where's Trump? That was entertaining, good job all.
Phanks Frank, Thanks. DT is in there but not a key figure as the song is about media minions. My Prime Minister & his deputy are in there though. The former having been a Marketing man. A few North Americans and a few Australians flicker in n out for contrast and demographics.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
I read your description and was looking forward to hearing female vocals and horns, but could barely hear either. Made me wonder if my headphones were messed up. But otherwise, I totally dug the song and its message. The male vocal was good and there is always a great feeling in your live instruments. Very well done.
Thanks Tunemonger, The female vocals top n tail the song as well as reinforce the verse n are more present in the chorus. The horns are in the intro, choruses and outro. I can hear them, I just checked the vid and I can hear them in it as well...they are at a level that's about right for 2nd wave ska. I'm sorry to disappoint...I struggled with Katya's vocal level for a few days- clearly I didn't quite win that part.
Thanks for the listen and I'm glad that, over all, you liked the thing.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, Cool tune! Dark, but listens easy, thanks to genre and your ability to fluidly convey message. Strong and unusual progression. Solid lyrics / phrasing. Speeding and slowing parts kind of gets you out of "listening" square. Good work on spooky video. Katya thanks you for the invite. I was only a bystander pressing button Thank you for sharing.
G'day Ray Bought and paid for politicians - Surely not! I thought they were all pure as the driven snow! "It's their living it's their job Like accountants for the mob" ghsrttyryrtsrgrgccf (laughing too hard to form words) There is a lot to unpack here, music and lyrics. I am going to have to listen and digest this more closely when I have some time and comment further. Sounds and looks good on first spin. regards Gary.
Hi Ray, Really interesting song and lyrics. Yes I agree with others - if you were to revisit this song then I would love to hear more Katya and Horns. Well done and thanks for the listen. Best Regards Nigel
Thanks Nigel, Druther noted.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Ray, Cool tune! Dark, but listens easy, thanks to genre and your ability to fluidly convey message. Strong and unusual progression. Solid lyrics / phrasing. Speeding and slowing parts kind of gets you out of "listening" square. Good work on spooky video. Katya thanks you for the invite. I was only a bystander pressing button Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
Thanks Misha, you are, as always, generous and kind. Thanks to you & Katya for our valuable assistance with & without the button pressing.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
G'day Ray Bought and paid for politicians - Surely not! I thought they were all pure as the driven snow! "It's their living it's their job Like accountants for the mob" ghsrttyryrtsrgrgccf (laughing too hard to form words) There is a lot to unpack here, music and lyrics. I am going to have to listen and digest this more closely when I have some time and comment further. Sounds and looks good on first spin. regards Gary.
Thanks Gary, We've a right pickle at present with the Fox n Republican nexus in the USA plus the LNP Shy/Murdoch one in Australia...the Torys with Sky n Murdoch as well. Seems there's a thread somewhere in there to be pulled.
I like your sound canvas word.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
The Pygmy Beat Extended sound. The Pygmy Beat Extended subject matter. The Pygmy Beat Extended video styling. You have developed a truly original identity. The Pygmy Beat Extended.
Might be your best video yet. Mix is good. I agree that Katya's vocal and the horns could be brought up some. Nice job on the vocals, the guitar and bass...
That Pygmy Beat Extended thing is really catchy. It sticks in my head for a LONG time after hearing the song. Cool.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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