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Probably for another thread but.....

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John mentioned that he uses harmony processing for live performance. I can understand that but then I have to ask about the listeners. Are they expecting vocal harmonies from a solo artist?



I never quite read this take in any of your posts however I now feel that you are among those elitists that look down upon any of us here playing live with RB or BIAB.You don't totally say that but it sure implies it. If harmonies from a machine are not appropriate from a soloist why would backing tracks be any more appropriate?
Feel free to comment but I'm not going to debate this in Eddie's thread.




John quoted me (the embedded quote).

My question was an honest question, not intended to be 'elitist' in any way.

Let me provide a bit of background perspective.

When I have heard the harmony vocals that have been done by TC Electronic or Digitech Vocalist processing, they nearly always sound processed and robotic to me.

Many times, it's because it is vocal harmonies that never existed in the original popular recording.

As to backing tracks, RB has changed this up quite a bit. Can be very convincing and non distracting to my ear, because, well, they have been played live at least at some point and much of the nuance in a real live performance is captured in the recording.

So, my question to you one-man-band live show guys: Do you feel your audiences, who have not heard you before, expect to have vocal harmonies when there's only one of you showing up? The answer must be 'yes' or you wouldn't go through the bother.

Again, not intended to be elitist. Just wondering about the perspective of a new audience. Have you ever asked the person running the venue, etc.?

To answer John's question in the quote at the next obvious 'level' of playback tracks - when does one cross the line and just play pre-recorded everything?

I guess it comes down to what the audience expects in a live performance. If I see a guy show up with a guitar and a mic, my expectation is to hear a guy and a guitar.

To me, the vocals are the most personal part of a singing act. There is something odd that gets under my skin when I hear processed harmonies. To my ear and sentiment, it is more distracting than a BGV that might have been there for a recording, but is not present for a live performance. Is that elitist or looking down my nose?

If most feel that way, I'll not mention it again in these threads. I just wonder if more harm than good is being done with some of these tools that are available.

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