Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - Thread on Harvey G's Recpit Forum: The "Hidden Cowbell" Trick
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Old 11th August 2003   #8
Harvey Gerst
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Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Sanger, TX
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ol' Betsey
Hi Guys,

One problem with always staying in your local (gearslutz) is that you don't get to taste the beer in other bars...

Can you explain to me the HIDDEN COWBELL TECHNIQUE?

Sounds interesting.

Cheers,

R.
Well, this is sure gonna help bring my post count up on my prosoundweb forum, by posting it here.

But, here it is:

The "buried cowbell" trick on up tempo tracks is certainly a no-brainer, but a lot of people don't know about it, so bear with me if you do know about it:

After every thing is recorded, you go back and record a cowbell playing straight quarter notes on an open track. You tell the player to push the beat slightly, roll off the bottom end a bit, and recorded it.

During mixdown, you bring up the cowbell till you can hear it, add a touch of reverb, then lower the level to where it just about disappears completely.

It adds a great touch of drive to the track, and groups are usually blown away when you hit the mute button on the cowbell track, and they hear the energy of the track drop way down. It sounds stupid and hokey, but it really works.
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