Raidohead - In Rainbows - Production questions

[dylansmale]

Originally Posted by Silver Sonya

Yes, they are choosy about guitar tones by extension of arrangement choices. So, yes, that's true. Yorke will play an SG on certain things, a tele on others, etc. as the songs demand. And there are effects pedals at their feet, for sure.

And yes, Godrich is very intense at the technical level. No question. This is what I said. That is a large part of his job. And he's truly brilliant at it.

And yes, there is money put into their records and a high production value. This is clear.

But the band have stated many, many, many times that they despise gear nerds and audiophiles who obsess on details and process and minutiae. There is a very important punk side to Radiohead which prevents them from sinking into an unwieldy or pompous "prog rock" thing, although there are aspects of their music which dangerously court that world.

I bet there is a portion of Radiohead's fanbase who relate to Radiohead on a "prog" level, totally getting off on the grandeur and ambition and marvelling at the musicianship, etc. I can also understand why people called "OK Computer" a millenial take on Pink Floyd. But what saves the band from these comparisons --- and this is very, very important!--- is the irreverent, rip-it-up-and-start-again punk side. Even the band's incorporation of elements of electronica has origins in a punk mindset.

A lot of musicians who take influence from the band don't know how to digest that part. They focus instead on the fancy gear. Young musicians who are influenced by Radiohead tend to get way into pedals and noodly, arty guitar "soundscaping" wankery that rings emotionally hollow. In so doing, they miss a vital component of what makes the band great, which is a f*ck-it-all spirit.

That's my only point, ultimately.

- c

exactly. Thanks for putting that perspective into my head again. This is accurate. I'm always saying these guys are punk, but people don't understand. lol

[shaggseb]

Originally Posted by T Graham Chester

What's that console on the left? Looks gnarly. And what happened to Nigel Godrich's legs?

Looks like an Electrodyne to me

Don't know for the legs

S.

[tone delux]

The album has a very "open" 3 dimensional sound. It also has a great amount of low end to it. job well done.

does anyone know how they recorded and processed the bass?
What type of Cab or mic/mic pre combo did they use? any compressors that they're know for using?

thanks

great thread.

[dylansmale]

the pics show a tone of (what looks like) UA M77s. I know the bass player sometimes uses a standup-electric bass, but not sure about this cd.

I'm sure weed was another very influential part of the process

[CeretoneAudio]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

the pics show a tone of (what looks like) UA M77s. I know the bass player sometimes uses a standup-electric bass, but not sure about this cd.

I'm sure weed was another very influential part of the process

dude you are crazy, you should lay off the bongs.

[CeretoneAudio]

and yes i agree the bass sounds are great. jigsaws falling into place - love that punchy bass sound on that song

[Meriphew]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

I'm sure weed was another very influential part of the process

You mean your posting process?

[ProducerBoy]

This album is beautiful, and I can't believe someone out there is suggesting that these songs would be just as good without the quality gear they used. As a songwriter, I can tell you that without the right tools/mix, a great song will only be heard as a good song by those who aren't given to hearing the potential in the song. (and most people hear exactly what's there, if they even hear everything that is there to begin with...)
Speaking as a songwriter, the production and mix are equally important to the listening experience as having a great song and performance.

[six_wax]

Originally Posted by shaggseb

Looks like an Electrodyne to me

Don't know for the legs

S.

There appears to be a Tubetech CL1b in the rack under the 1176s, and the box on the stool sort of looks like an Elektron Machinedrum, but you really can't tell...

Godrich/Radiohead turn me fanboy like no other. Seriously, it's like I'm 14yo again.

More inside scoop please!

[Paul EQ]

Originally Posted by six_wax

There appears to be a Tubetech CL1b in the rack under the 1176s, and the box on the stool sort of looks like an Elektron Machinedrum, but you really can't tell...

Godrich/Radiohead turn me fanboy like no other. Seriously, it's like I'm 14yo again.

More inside scoop please!

And an EAR 660 below the 1176's.. Those units are amazing..

[dylansmale]

most of their songs relate to...getting stoned. If you've listened to their music you would have known that after their first CD. And you would have to be a complete moron to not have gotten that after Amnesiac and Hail To The Thief.

You would probably be a complete moron to think their music didn't have anything to do with weed. And a complete moron to think it didn't have to do with anything else other than weed.

the lyrics "smoke pot" are even evident in Hail To The Thief.

[Savernake]

I funk that's an overstatement, but ed did comment that memener (not sure who or how many) smoked a lot during kid a at least. They suggested in that in their early years they smoked a lot in their shared house. I would hazard a guess that included weed (typical students!)

I should think they grew up a lot since then, most of them have families now.

[Savernake]

And no I'm not high, that's iPhone spelling going wild.

[roger]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

the pics show a tone of (what looks like) UA M77s. I know the bass player sometimes uses a standup-electric bass, but not sure about this cd.

I'm sure weed was another very influential part of the process

dude.....you are way off (as always it seems).......there was a great feature on radiohead in Q magazine a coupla issues back about every record and every song (including b sides and soundtrack contributions) they have done.....the process and the themes and inspirations etc.....weed was not even mentioned and i certainly don't hear it in this record.........i hear it in YOUR music that's for sure (eeeek) so i can understand your confusion/haziness....................imagine thom york smoking every session? maybe he was referring to himself in the studio when he wrote paranoid android???!!!!.....somehow i don't think so.

[1954U1]

Originally Posted by Savernake

I funk that's an overstatement, but ed did comment that memener (not sure who or how many) smoked a lot during kid a at least. They suggested in that in their early years they smoked a lot in their shared house. I would hazard a guess that included weed (typical students!)

I should think they grew up a lot since then, most of them have families now.

Mhh.. but this studio where they tracked the songs has a lot of students shared house's vibe..

[Shawn1272]

On the In Rainbows Bonus disc (the one that comes with the box set), there are a bunch of pictures of the band in the studio. There are a lot of good gear photos to geek out on.

s

[dylansmale]

Originally Posted by roger

dude.....you are way off (as always it seems).......there was a great feature on radiohead in Q magazine a coupla issues back about every record and every song (including b sides and soundtrack contributions) they have done.....the process and the themes and inspirations etc.....weed was not even mentioned and i certainly don't hear it in this record.........i hear it in YOUR music that's for sure (eeeek) so i can understand your confusion/haziness....................imagine thom york smoking every session? maybe he was referring to himself in the studio when he wrote paranoid android???!!!!.....somehow i don't think so.

wow, you are a complete idiot. Its not like I meant that they were necessarily high while they were recording, but you have to be a complete ****ing dumb ass if you think that pot is not a big part of what they do.

Even with their families and stuff, it was a big part with Hail To The Thief, and they obviously are grown up and who the **** is to say grown ups don't smoke pot??? (not you, but the post before).

It can be a very intellectually stimulating thing too. I'm sure they could take a hit from the bong and not get red eyed.

[Savernake]

Originally Posted by 1954U1

Mhh.. but this studio where they tracked the songs has a lot of students shared house's vibe..

Are you talking about totenham house?

Dylans male, I don't doubt that it may be involved in what they do, but really, you're making a fool of yourself.

[CeretoneAudio]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

wow, you are a complete idiot. Its not like I meant that they were necessarily high while they were recording, but you have to be a complete ****ing dumb ass if you think that pot is not a big part of what they do.

Even with their families and stuff, it was a big part with Hail To The Thief, and they obviously are grown up and who the **** is to say grown ups don't smoke pot??? (not you, but the post before).

It can be a very intellectually stimulating thing too. I'm sure they could take a hit from the bong and not get red eyed.

Two jumps in a week, I bet you think that's pretty clever don't you boy.
Flying on your motorcycle, watching all the ground beneath you drop.
You'd kill yourself for recognition; kill yourself to never ever stop.
You broke another mirror; you're turning into something you are not.

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Drying up in conversation, you will be the one who cannot talk.
All your insides fall to pieces, you just sit there wishing you could still make love
They're the ones who'll hate you when you think you've got the world all sussed out
They're the ones who'll spit at you. You will be the one screaming out.

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

It's the best thing that you've ever had, the best thing that you've ever, ever
had.
It's the best thing that you've ever had; the best thing you've had has gone away.

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry
Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

[NowWhat]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

wow, you are a complete idiot. Its not like I meant that they were necessarily high while they were recording, but you have to be a complete ****ing dumb ass if you think that pot is not a big part of what they do.

Even with their families and stuff, it was a big part with Hail To The Thief, and they obviously are grown up and who the **** is to say grown ups don't smoke pot??? (not you, but the post before).

It can be a very intellectually stimulating thing too. I'm sure they could take a hit from the bong and not get red eyed.

dylansmale: shut up dude, you're such a jackass and your music really sucks.

other guy: are you a retard, of course Radiohead (some of them) smoke weed. In a Rolling Stone article they're on their bus bitching cause none of them can roll a good joint. In a Guitar World they say "Ed was off by himself smoking his brains out and he came up with the perfect ending riff for Exit Music"


OK you're both stupid. Arguing about whether they're "Stoned" is as dumb as arguing about their gear. If there was ever a band who just outshines their equipment, it's them.

And PLUS NIGEL MAKES A BUNCH OF HIS OWN EQUIPMENT

[dylansmale]

i have my limitations, you want to know them? i don't own an amp right now, i have a shitty guitar, an mbox 2 mini, an sm81, and a stand up piano. I know my music sucks, Its just like anyones music. You will like your music the first time through and then the next day you hate. Same with thom yorke (read in interview). Its hard to be inspired when what you have is a bunch of shit, but I try and thats all that matters.

my last post was way out of hand, but I was cranky until now. Now i have some killer bud.

"your music sucks" isn't very smart. If you told me why it sucked, it may actually be constructive. Maybe you could let me hear in on your tunes

[chrisso]

My advice?
Cut right back on the dope, it's making you delusional.
(seriously)

[dylansmale]

huh?

[chrisso]

Proves my point!

[Dean7]

Originally Posted by chrisso

Proves my point!

Give him a break. He's a young kid living with his parents in SLC where there's absolutely nothing to do, so he tries to get attention on GS by acting out.

[tone delux]

Originally Posted by recall

I read somewhere that most of the verb used on the albumwas taken from the Tottenham house sessions, in that Godrich took impulses of the hall room into altiverb or whatever.

Worked pretty well I reckon.

Also I think the drums for Nude were done with Coles ribbons.

thanks for the info. good to know. altiverb is awesome.

Originally Posted by CeretoneAudio

here is a picture from the extra disc that came with in rainbows.

you can see

Api console
mac running protools
ns 10 s
8 x 1081 modules
1176s
studer tape machine

not sure on the rest

do you have any more cool pics that reveal the cool gear they used?
thanks

[drumnbimmer]

They have the Nude multitrack files available (on iTunes no less), check it out. Bass tone is killer on there. The drum sound is also amazing. Is that slight compression sound on the drums from use of ribbons or any particular compressor?

[CeretoneAudio]

Originally Posted by drumnbimmer

They have the Nude multitrack files available (on iTunes no less), check it out. Bass tone is killer on there. The drum sound is also amazing. Is that slight compression sound on the drums from use of ribbons or any particular compressor?

drums are definately compressed not sure what with. Toward the end of the song when the drums a more busy you can hear them being pulled to the right by a compressor.

[Savernake]

Originally Posted by tone delux

thanks for the info. good to know. altiverb is awesome.



do you have any more cool pics that reveal the cool gear they used?
thanks

If anyone is willing to buy it from me, I will try and get in tottenham house and get an impulse of the larger rooms. Give me till end of summer!

[Daystar]

Anyone noticed the drums on " Videotape " - it sounds like a tape being inserted to a video .
Brilliant .