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Posted By: receder O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 08:50 AM
O Come O Come Emmanuel

I’ve been very busy creating music and playing for my Church and daughter’s School. I am also working on some more original songs but in the meantime here is my version of a classic Christmas/Advent carol.

I provide music for my local Church and usually sing and play acoustic guitar accompanied by backing tracks (stored on a TCH Voicelive 3) which I mostly create in BIAB/Sonar. I made this song for a service at the end of November. The church version didn't have vocals on the backing track as I sing it live; just instruments with a guide melody on a VST flute so that the congregation know when to sing.

This is the first song I have recorded using my new mic (Audio Technica AT2035) and iZotope Neutron on the vocal tracks. Black Friday was busy and expensive for me this year! I’m now also tempted by BIAB 2017 smile

The song was created in BIAB and then the MIDI was exported into Sonar. Here’s a summary of what I then added/changed/updated:

Vocals – I recorded the main vocal twice to create true doubling which I think sound better than FX double tracking. For the choruses I generated two tracks of harmonies. The first was 4 part higher register harmonies grouped around the centre of the stereo field (panned +/- 35). The second was a 4 part middle register grouped wider in the stereo field (+/- 80). Added a touch of echo on the last word of the last chorus (“Israel-el-el-el”).

Strings and Bass – Cello/Strings using Rapture.

Guitar – Sampletank 3 (Grace Nylon Pad).

Piano - Sampletank 3 (Grand piano 1).

Flute - Sampletank 3 (Flute).


****** Song Summary *************
Title: O Come O Come Emmanuel (Main)
Key=Em , Tempo 100, Length (m:s)=4:26
8 bar intro, 20 bar chorus, from bar 9 to bar 28. Repeat x5 choruses
Style is _CLAIRPS.STY (Celtic Air w/ Piano, Guitar, Str)

N.B. RTs not used in Sonar only MIDI
*******************

Lyrics:

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times did'st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Enjoy!
Jez
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 10:02 AM
nice work. You stuck pretty close to the classical approach for this tune.

One of my small group of holiday favorites.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 10:19 AM
Jez,

This is GORGEOUS!

The opening truly makes one "stand up and take notice". The vocal is beautiful. The strings perfectly woven in. The harmonies gave me chills (the good kind).

A stunning mix. Top-shelf sound (even out of computer speakers!).

One of the most impressive offerings on here in quite some time - that is saying a lot! You need to do an entire Christmas CD and sell 'em!!!

A big WOW.

fj
Posted By: AudioTrack Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 12:09 PM
Very melodic

Very spiritual

You've demonstrated the versatility of BiaB even further.
Posted By: Scott C Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 02:29 PM
This was an excellent carole Jez. Vocal and harmonies were awesome
Posted By: Pat Marr Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 03:00 PM
WOW! This is so well done in every way! Love the vocal harmonies! And all of the instrumentation fits together like sound Legos!

I'm always a sucker for an unconventional approach to carols... but in this case I really like the use of a more traditional arrangement.

If my wife were still alive, she'd be pestering me to buy the whole album. She loved her Christmas music, and this is as good as anything in her huge collection!
Posted By: David Snyder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 03:25 PM

Beautiful Man!! Gorgeous vocals!!!! Really loved this.

Great production!
Posted By: Matt Finley Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 03:56 PM
This is lovely. Very lush background. Superb vocals and fine mix.

Did you write the vocal harmony arrangement?

For anyone wondering, the song is in public domain.
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 08:17 PM
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
nice work. You stuck pretty close to the classical approach for this tune.

One of my small group of holiday favorites.


Thanks Herb, much appreciated. I didn't want to stray too far from the original song so that folks could still sing along.

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Jez,

This is GORGEOUS!

The opening truly makes one "stand up and take notice". The vocal is beautiful. The strings perfectly woven in. The harmonies gave me chills (the good kind).

A stunning mix. Top-shelf sound (even out of computer speakers!).

One of the most impressive offerings on here in quite some time - that is saying a lot! You need to do an entire Christmas CD and sell 'em!!!

A big WOW.

fj


Whoa Floyd, thank you so much! I really do appreciate your kind words.
A couple of people have asked me why I don't do a Christmas CD so I must try when I have time.

Once again a big thanks to you Floyd,

All the best,
Jez
Posted By: Joe -PG Music Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/02/16 09:59 PM
Hi Receder, Wonderful work with the vocal on this! Very ethereal and spectral! - I will definitely be taking a page out of your production book for my own creations. Keep up the great work!
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/03/16 12:59 PM
Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
Very melodic

Very spiritual

You've demonstrated the versatility of BiaB even further.


Thank you for taking the time to listen Videotrack.

Cheers,
Jez
Posted By: Robertkc Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/03/16 06:14 PM
Jez,

+ 1 to all the kudos above; close my eyes and I`m in a cathedral!

I especially enjoyed your choral approach to the vocals giving equal weight to each word. Beautiful production in every way.

Robert
Posted By: RnAM Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/03/16 07:30 PM
Man.... this is gorgeous!
We hadn't heard this traditional before, but we got such a feeling that this version is better smile
As always the voices are beautifully and professionally arranged, your signature sound.
What else can we say, beautiful, beautiful!

Rob and Anne-Marie
Posted By: Torrey Bliss Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/03/16 10:28 PM
Jez, this was absolutely fantastic! This traditional work couldn't have been done any better in my opinion. The vocals were beautiful! Great job! Torrey
Posted By: Curt Young Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/03/16 10:41 PM
Hauntingly beautiful... One of my favorite carols, and so well done!
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/04/16 12:47 PM
Originally Posted By: Scottt709
This was an excellent carole Jez. Vocal and harmonies were awesome


Thanks a lot Scott. Appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment.

Originally Posted By: Pat Marr
WOW! This is so well done in every way! Love the vocal harmonies! And all of the instrumentation fits together like sound Legos!

I'm always a sucker for an unconventional approach to carols... but in this case I really like the use of a more traditional arrangement.

If my wife were still alive, she'd be pestering me to buy the whole album. She loved her Christmas music, and this is as good as anything in her huge collection!


Thank you so much Pat. I'm pleased that it reminded you of your wife's collection of Christmas music.
The instrumentation was fairly straightforward thanks to BIAB - I pretty much used the MIDI as is from BIAB. Then it was a case of finding suitable VST instruments that fitted the music and balancing everything. The vocal parts were more labour intensive but it was a labour of love smile

Thanks again guys,
Jez
Posted By: BlueAttitude Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/04/16 05:10 PM
Very, very good! The vocals are just fabulous, what a sound! Thanks for the detailed description of how you achieved that too, I have taken notes! smile
Posted By: Sundance Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/04/16 05:20 PM
Beautifully done in every way! Loved it.
Posted By: animarorecords Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/05/16 03:52 AM
Hello, Jez

Very beautiful Christmas song!
Very pleasant vocals and harmonies.
As Robert said, I also especially enjoyed your choral approach.
Beautiful production in every way.
Strings and Bass – Cello/Strings using Rapture are also very beautiful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi
Posted By: PeterF Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/05/16 07:07 AM
Jez,

You deserve all the superb reviews you have received for this.
Stunning.

Peter
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/05/16 09:15 AM
Originally Posted By: David Snyder

Beautiful Man!! Gorgeous vocals!!!! Really loved this.
Great production!


Thanks David, I do appreciate your comments. By the way you are doing a great job on the Beginners Forum.
I just don't know how you have time?!! Also watched some of your beginner Classical Guitar YT vids which were excellent.

Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
This is lovely. Very lush background. Superb vocals and fine mix.

Did you write the vocal harmony arrangement?

For anyone wondering, the song is in public domain.


Thanks a lot Matt. I find BIAB excellent for this kind of music. I also used it recently for a Taizé recital and it was great. The harmony arrangement for the "Rejoice" section was really just "singing the chords" in different registers so D, Bm7, Am7, Bm7, CMaj7, Em, Cmaj7, Am7, Bm7, Em.

Loved your Holiday Bell Waltz (2017 version) by the way. I see that you have posted the previous version which I am now going to check out!

Thanks again,
Jez
Posted By: JoanneCooper Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/05/16 10:41 AM
Jez. This is just lovely. You really have got something going on with those layered vocals. Sounds like a whole choir!
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/05/16 07:34 PM
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Jez,

This is GORGEOUS!

The opening truly makes one "stand up and take notice". The vocal is beautiful. The strings perfectly woven in. The harmonies gave me chills (the good kind).

A stunning mix. Top-shelf sound (even out of computer speakers!).

One of the most impressive offerings on here in quite some time - that is saying a lot! You need to do an entire Christmas CD and sell 'em!!!

A big WOW.

fj


I agree with Floyd! This is an amazing quality production!! Harmonies are incredible! Take care. Greg
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/06/16 04:25 PM
Originally Posted By: Joe -PG Music
Hi Receder, Wonderful work with the vocal on this! Very ethereal and spectral! - I will definitely be taking a page out of your production book for my own creations. Keep up the great work!


Many Thanks Joe, I'm really glad that you enjoyed it. It's always good to get feedback from the makers of our wonderful songwriting tool smile

Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Jez,

+ 1 to all the kudos above; close my eyes and I`m in a cathedral!

I especially enjoyed your choral approach to the vocals giving equal weight to each word. Beautiful production in every way.

Robert


Cheers Robert, that's exactly what I was aiming for smile Trying to record this really made me appreciate how good the professional choristers are! Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for listening.

All the best,
Jez
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/06/16 04:29 PM
Originally Posted By: RnAM
Man.... this is gorgeous!
We hadn't heard this traditional before, but we got such a feeling that this version is better smile
As always the voices are beautifully and professionally arranged, your signature sound.
What else can we say, beautiful, beautiful!

Rob and Anne-Marie


Wow! Thank you both so much. It's great to get positive feedback from such professionals.
Loving your songs lately too.

Thanks again,
Jez
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/06/16 04:53 PM
The accolades were grabbed quickly. Hard to add to the above so at
the risk of redundancy...

The entire production is simply gorgeous. Lush, lush, and more lush.

I'm sure a significant amount of effort went into the arrangement and
production and it paid off...big time.

Everything is standout and the vocals are standout amongst the standout smile

Congrats on a wonderful production!

J&B
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/07/16 10:24 AM
Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
Jez, this was absolutely fantastic! This traditional work couldn't have been done any better in my opinion. The vocals were beautiful! Great job! Torrey


Hey thanks a bunch, Torrey. We are spoilt for choice at this time of year and it was a close call between posting this or In The Bleak Midwinter. Anyway, thanks for the thumbs up on this one smile

Originally Posted By: Curt Young
Hauntingly beautiful... One of my favorite carols, and so well done!


Thank you Curt. I always worry about ruining a song when it's someone's favorite. I'm pleased you liked my version.

Cheers
Jez
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/08/16 11:45 AM
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Very, very good! The vocals are just fabulous, what a sound! Thanks for the detailed description of how you achieved that too, I have taken notes! smile




Thanks very much Dave. I'm glad you enjoyed it and also found the description useful.
Really enjoyed your song "What could I do" smile

Originally Posted By: Sundance
Beautifully done in every way! Loved it.


Thanks for listening Josie, I really enjoyed your's and Bob's "Santa Stop Here" too.

Originally Posted By: animarorecords
Hello, Jez

Very beautiful Christmas song!
Very pleasant vocals and harmonies.
As Robert said, I also especially enjoyed your choral approach.
Beautiful production in every way.
Strings and Bass – Cello/Strings using Rapture are also very beautiful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi


Thank you for taking the time to listen and comment Shigeki.
Actually some of your music inspired me to buy some EastWest Orchestral sounds over the Black Friday weekend. They didn't quite make it into this track but I am hoping to use these in some future songs smile Loved "Young Lovers on Christmas Eve" by the way.

Originally Posted By: PeterF
Jez,

You deserve all the superb reviews you have received for this.
Stunning.

Peter


Much appreciated Peter. I also enjoyed your "Waitresses".

All the best,
Jez
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/09/16 12:49 PM
Originally Posted By: JoanneCooper
Jez. This is just lovely. You really have got something going on with those layered vocals. Sounds like a whole choir!


Joanne, thanks so much for your generous comments. This was one I really enjoyed putting together.
By the way, I had a blast with your instrumental track of Hallelujah on YouTube the other morning!
I always wanted to learn it and cannot think of a better way to do it. smile

Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Jez,

This is GORGEOUS!

The opening truly makes one "stand up and take notice". The vocal is beautiful. The strings perfectly woven in. The harmonies gave me chills (the good kind).

A stunning mix. Top-shelf sound (even out of computer speakers!).

One of the most impressive offerings on here in quite some time - that is saying a lot! You need to do an entire Christmas CD and sell 'em!!!

A big WOW.

fj


I agree with Floyd! This is an amazing quality production!! Harmonies are incredible! Take care. Greg


Greg, many thanks for your very kind comments.

All the best,
Jez
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/10/16 12:06 PM
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
The accolades were grabbed quickly. Hard to add to the above so at
the risk of redundancy...

The entire production is simply gorgeous. Lush, lush, and more lush.

I'm sure a significant amount of effort went into the arrangement and
production and it paid off...big time.

Everything is standout and the vocals are standout amongst the standout smile

Congrats on a wonderful production!

J&B


Massive thanks J&B. You have a lovely way with words when it comes to commenting on other people's songs.
Your time and thoughts are much appreciated and makes all the effort worthwhile.

I hope that you both have a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and here's to all your wonderful songs to come in 2017,
Jez
Posted By: cubanpete Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/11/16 11:48 AM
Hi Jez, being the last one so far with an opinion on this I don't have many words that have not been said already about this fine production, so kudos to everything+10.

Mike B.
Posted By: Mike. R. Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/11/16 02:30 PM
Superb and full mix and the choruses were dreamy and evocative in every way.

Very nice.

Cheers.
Mike
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/12/16 04:23 PM
Originally Posted By: cubanpete
Hi Jez, being the last one so far with an opinion on this I don't have many words that have not been said already about this fine production, so kudos to everything+10.

Mike B.


Mike, Thanks for giving it a listen and for your kind comments.

All the best,
Jez
Posted By: Buford Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/13/16 01:17 PM
Very professional production. Big sound. As good a rendition as I've heard.

Keep 'em coming,
Bob
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/13/16 02:33 PM
Originally Posted By: Mike. R.
Superb and full mix and the choruses were dreamy and evocative in every way.

Very nice.

Cheers.
Mike


Thanks a lot Mike, glad you enjoyed it smile
Hey, you aren't too far away from me - hope you avoided the floods last year.

Cheers,
Jez
Posted By: gibson Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/14/16 09:29 AM
Jez,

flipping heck that is beautiful.
This should be played in shops rather than the overplayed stuff from the 70's and 80's.

You can certainly sing!

I hope you have a good Christmas, up north!

Al the best

Alyn
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/14/16 02:13 PM
Originally Posted By: Bob Buford
Very professional production. Big sound. As good a rendition as I've heard.

Keep 'em coming,
Bob


Thanks a lot Bob, I do appreciate your comments. I will try and keep em coming!

Cheers,
Jez
Posted By: receder Re: O Come O Come Emmanuel - 12/15/16 08:38 PM
Originally Posted By: gibson
Jez,

flipping heck that is beautiful.
This should be played in shops rather than the overplayed stuff from the 70's and 80's.

You can certainly sing!

I hope you have a good Christmas, up north!

Al the best

Alyn


Thanks Alyn, glad you enjoyed it.
Hope you have a great Christmas too, or should I say "Nadolig Llawen" (no idea how to pronounce it though :-)

I enjoyed your Christmas song immensely but was sorry to read about your recent losses so I hope things improve for you in 2017.

Cheers,
Jez
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