Compare the production techniques used in both versions of the song (16):
Genre
Track A is in a style from the……… whereas Track B is in a style from the……..
‘In this Essay I will compare the differences in instrumentation, recording techniques,
effects, arrangement and mixing of the tracks and explain how these differences impact the
feel of each song.’
Instrumentation
The instrumentation of track A includes:
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Guitar/electric guitar?
Drum kit?
Percussion?
Piano?
Bass/electric bass?
Vocals?
Backing vocals?
Horns?
The instrumentation of track B however, is:
Music Tech equipment:
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Synths? (obvious oscillator/settings?)
Samplers/samples?
Drum machines?
Recording Techniques
Track A was probably recorded using:
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Monophonic tape
stereo/3 track (inc overdubbed vocals)
4/8/16/24 track tape
Digital audio tape (ADAT)
A multi-tracker
A Digitial audio workstation (DAW)
As a result the music was recorded by…….
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Everyone in the room
Use of baffles
Mics, Polar patterns
Overdubbing
Separate sound booths
Rhythm section separately
Sequenced
Recorded live and quatised
MIDI-syned drum machines/arpeggiators
(…to avoid spillage.)
As a result of this recording style and the equipment used
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Tape saturation (analogue distortion)
distortion
Spillage
signal to noise ratio
mastering
This gives the track a …………. Sound (see notes are the end)
Effects
The effects heard include:
EQ:
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High/low frequencies boosted
Filtering can be heard at
Cut-off is modulated
Resonance is added
Filter envelope
Dynamic:
 Heavy Compression
 Gating
 Pumping
 Side-chaining
 Tape saturation?
Effects
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Reverb – reverb time/reverb room type/reverse reverb
Delay – delay time/wet/dry/
Modulation effects (flanging, phasing, chorus)
Wah-wah, distortion, tremolo, vibrato, vocoder,
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Digital effects
Panning
Automation – especially of synth parametres (e.g. cut off)
Sample reverse/stuttering/looping/pitch shifting/time stretching
Arrangement
In Track A/B, contrast and interest is added in the arrangement by:
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Adding/removing instruments
Double tracking
Build ups/Break downs
Any other textural variation
‘Explanation’ points:
This effect/recording technique/instrumentation/structure gives the track an:
intimate/epic/rough/live/edgy/mournful/aggressive/upbeat/melancholy feel.
This adds: space/variation/complexity/creates a climax/adds contrast.
Other E.g.s include
Tape recording has been sped up. This changes the pitch of the recording.
Only one mic has been used on the drum kit so only the snare drum is audible.
Limited sample time leading to lots of looping.
Limited bit depth reduces the dynamic range.
Reduced sample rate will lower the frequency response.
There is lots of room ambience on the recording which was commonly used in the jazz era.
The original used compression with a light ratio, in order to keep it sounds natural
There is more compression on the remix, creating a tighter but less human feel.