A production question

[Jose Mrochek]

The other day I was recording a song for this girl. She's got a boyfriend but I really like her, so I'm pulling the Aces under my sleave. (a song) Anyways just wanted to share that haha

The question started like this...

I have recorded all of my songs with the same engineer. He also mixes them. He is not a fan of to much reverb on vocals or pretty much anything. (which is cool) But I got used to a certain amount of effects (verb and delays), that I think has become a very big part of my vocal sound. So we started to discuss about vocal sound and their relationship to effects.

My question to you guys is... if you guys use the same kind of effect set up for a certain singer everytime on different records. Or do you guys change from song to song ? Does the song determine the effects you will use ? Or do you go by "vocal sound" irregardless if it's over a single acoustic guitar or a full blown producction ? Thanks!

[Igotsoul4u]

I have a fully loaded 960 that I use for all my reverbs. It basically gives me four seperate machines to work with. I like to keep the same settings and patches on the 960 for an entire album, but sometimes a change up which machine the vocal or other tracks ar e getting sent to. I like this method because it gives me freedom but not to much freedom. It's a middle ground I guess. I just like to keep tracks on an album relative. I hope this makes sense.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

My question to you guys is... if you guys use the same kind of effect set up for a certain singer everytime on different records?

Or do you guys change from song to song ? Does the song determine the effects you will use ? Or do you go by "vocal sound" irregardless if it's over a single acoustic guitar or a full blown producction ? Thanks!

The answer is yes to both.

On certain artists the "signature vocal sound" is used on different tracks.

This is usually a EQ/compressor with effects combination.

This is normally because it becomes part of their sound.

Its also why certain artists when they find an engineer that brings out their best sonically they stick with them.

And the answer is also yes it can change form song to song depending on music style.

You won't mix the lead on a ballad like you would on a dance track etc.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

The other day I was recording a song for this girl. She's got a boyfriend but I really like her, so I'm pulling the Aces under my sleave. (a song) Anyways just wanted to share that haha

And on this note...

the rule of the studio is YOU DON'T MIX BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE!!

KEEP IT TOTALLY SEPERATE BRO.

Also if you steal another guy's girl, it will come back to you.

Its bad Karma.

Cause if you do it, she will always hold it against you.

She will say"hey i know you flirt with girls in the studio, you did it with me".

"So why should i trust you are not doing anything?"

And when you are not with her you will think"hey it was pretty easy for her to cheat on her guy. What makes me think she won't do it to me?"

The studio is a sanctified place.

Its like what they say about Vegas"what happens there stays there".

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

The answer is yes to both.

On certain artists the "signature vocal sound" is used on different tracks.

This is usually a EQ/compressor with effects combination.

This is normally because it becomes part of their sound.

Its also why certain artists when they find an engineer that brings out their best sonically they stick with them.

And the answer is also yes it can change form song to song depending on music style.

You won't mix the lead on a ballad like you would on a dance track etc.

Yes, I understand. the discussion arised because he (my engineer) always tends to go for a dry in your face type of mix, but I told him it was more important for me to have a bigger souding vocal with the use of effects and yes, compression than rather try to fit me in with what he's mixing style of the year was. You know how mix engineers evolve with time : )

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

Yes, I understand. the discussion arised because he (my engineer) always tends to go for a dry in your face type of mix, but I told him it was more important for me to have a bigger souding vocal with the use of effects and yes, compression than rather try to fit me in with what he's mixing style of the year was. You know how mix engineers evolve with time : )

The dry in your face kinda thing is more of an "american"thing.

Most of the music here is in your face,compressed and dry.

I notice this because i work on a lot of music from abroad.

I always get more request to make the vocals more effected or swim more.

I call it the "Mick G"sound.

Countries like India,Pakistan,countries in Africa in general like to hear reverb.

Spanish music was that way for a while, but i've noticed over the years its changed.

There are more American guys mixing the tracks so the effects have "dried up".

Ballads in general are the only styles that you can still use reverb anymore, but even the stuff here is getting drier also.

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

And on this note...

the rule of the studio is YOU DON'T MIX BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE!!

KEEP IT TOTALLY SEPERATE BRO.

Also if you steal another guy's girl, it will come back to you.

Its bad Karma.

Cause if you do it, she will always hold it against you.

She will say"hey i know you flirt with girls in the studio, you did it with me".

"So why should i trust you are not doing anything?"

And when you are not with her you will think"hey it was pretty easy for her to cheat on her guy. What makes me think she won't do it to me?"

The studio is a sanctified place.

Its like what they say about Vegas"what happens there stays there".

the story goes like this..

she was going out with this dude.. for almost 4 years and decided to "take a break" that to me translates in the guy not liking her anymore. anyways, during this break of hers.. we began to be very close (as friends) nothing happened to this day.. we talk on MSN daily , and go out with other friends at night etc.. I know her for many years and always liked her, she is the perfect girl. (for me) she wouldn't cheat on her boyfriend. she never did.

so the other day she asks me what i'm going to get her for her bday (in a joke/real very woman kind of way) so I tell her, well I aint got money so I will write a song for you. That minute wen't home, and in 5 minutes wrote a song lyrics and everything. (that's when I know I really like someone, when songs flow in a few minutes)

anyways, decided to record it.. I didn't give it to her yet. Maybe shouldn't ? shit now you made me think with that whole karma thing. I'm very superstitious. : (

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

the story goes like this..

she was going out with this dude.. for almost 4 years and decided to "take a break"


anyways, decided to record it.. I didn't give it to her yet. Maybe shouldn't ? shit now you made me think with that whole karma thing. I'm very superstitious. : (

Did she decide to take "the break" or did he?

2 very different things.

Also you've been checking her out from a far huh?

Sometimes what we don't have seems more attractive when it belongs to another.

The "grass is always greener" thing.

Food for thought.

And i thought in your example she was an artist you were producing/writing for.

If not than whatever works my man.

Go for it. thumbsup

Worst thing she could do is to tell you that its ok or its not her style.

But those are the chances you take.

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Did she decide to take "the break" or did he?

2 very different things.

Also you've been checking her out from a far huh?

Sometimes what we don't have seems more attractive when it belongs to another.

The "grass is always greener" thing.

Food for thought.

And i thought in your example she was an artist you were producing/writing for.

If not than whatever works my man.

Go for it. thumbsup

Worst thing she could do is to tell you that its ok or its not her style.

But those are the chances you take.

oh no no.. I did do some things for girl singer types. Never mixed anything with anything. And the last thing I want is a girlfriend that talks about music. The less she knows the better : ) That way I can impress her with the good ol classic "DID YOU REALLY WRITE THAT" ?? instead of .. having a argument about why I used this chord progression etc.. relationships are to complicated on their own, imagine bringin music in.. no no no!!! And well, HE asked for the the break..

Anyways.. this is her, at a dress up party in Bolivia.. the one with the Bailarina dress... is she pretty or what ? and me.. with my hooligan outfit, and the other is looking for a boyfriend by the way. anyone interested PM me ? hahaha if they find out I posted this would definetly kill me hahaha

[seb37000]

where am I, am I in the wrong forum
I did not know that when you had the highest rank in the gearslutz forum the reward was that you become a love adviser
It brings a whole new dimension to the futur of my career

[kraftrourke]

(getting on plane to bolivia)

[seb37000]

you are all welcome to come record in my studio anytime

[Strangeboy]

Change the heading to a Reproduction Question?

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by Strangeboy

Change the heading to a Reproduction Question?

hahaha you guys cracked me up. No NO, it's still a production question.. wanted to know if reverb and delays on my vocals would make her fall in love me : ) or at least think i'm this great singer : )

[lucey]

Jose,

Girls who ask "what are you getting me for my B Day" that you also talk to every day on the Web ... they like you, or they are TROUBLE,

Have fun finding out.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

Anyways.. this is her, at a dress up party in Bolivia.. the one with the Bailarina dress... is she pretty or what ? and me.. with my hooligan outfit, and the other is looking for a boyfriend by the way. anyone interested PM me ? hahaha if they find out I posted this would definetly kill me hahaha

Yeah she is cute. thumbsup

She's a little thin me for me tho bro, but hey you like her so that's what counts.

Her friend is cute, but i will stop there.

Good luck with it and for your engineer play him some tracks of vocal treatments that you like so he can get into your frame of mind better.

If he has a problem with it, than find someone else more in the style.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by lucey

Jose,

Girls who ask "what are you getting me for my B Day" that you also talk to every day on the Web ... they like you, or they are TROUBLE,

Lucey,

Excellent point.

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by lucey

Jose,

Girls who ask "what are you getting me for my B Day" that you also talk to every day on the Web ... they like you, or they are TROUBLE,

Have fun finding out.

I have a feeling she likes me to, but.. I also feel she is testing me out as a new option after her break up. I do know from good sources that she still talks to her ex... so it's tough. I hope the song does the job : ) After all the chorus repeats a thousand times "you are the prettiest girl in the world" I HAS TO WORK : )

[De chromium cob]

Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives.....

Or, welcome to the love line- with the thrillfactor.....

BTW- When she asks what she's getting for her birthday, tell her "it looks just like a Telefunken U47, you'll love it....."

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Good luck with it and for your engineer play him some tracks of vocal treatments that you like so he can get into your frame of mind better.

If he has a problem with it, than find someone else more in the style.

Yes, he understands what I like and what works for me. I don't think he agrees with me, as in "mix concepts" but we definetly understand each other... for good or bad results, I do feel we can connect. Thanks thrill for the advice on both of the very important matters : )

[toledo3]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

I have a feeling she likes me to, but.. I also feel she is testing me out as a new option after her break up. I do know from good sources that she still talks to her ex... so it's tough. I hope the song does the job : ) After all the chorus repeats a thousand times "you are the prettiest girl in the world" I HAS TO WORK : )

Let me say this, and I don't want to discourage you if you feel very strongly about the song idea.....

BUT, why don't you just ask her out to dinner? She will get the picture. The key is, you are desperate, but you don't want to LOOK desperate. The song thing might hit her as a bit much right off the bat....but you do say you have known her for quite a while. Hard call.

I think though, just take it one thing at a time. When it gets to the point where there actually IS romantic involvement, THAT is the time to unleash the song. IMO, YMMV, ETC.

[strauss]

Originally Posted by De chromium cob

Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives.....

Or, welcome to the love line- with the thrillfactor.....

Maybe we could ask Phil to retire and start a new show called Dr Thrill

[joeq]

good reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Mojo Hand Space
John the Conqueror Room
Love Plate No. 9

bad reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Lovesick Dork Chamber
What Was I Thinking Delay
Face Slap Slapback

[echorec]

Originally Posted by strauss

Maybe we could ask Phil to retire and start a new show called Dr Thrill

[toledo3]

Originally Posted by joeq

good reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Mojo Hand Space
John the Conqueror Room
Love Plate No. 9

bad reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Lovesick Dork Chamber
What Was I Thinking Delay
Face Slap Slapback

[parlourman]

Originally Posted by joeq

good reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Mojo Hand Space
John the Conqueror Room
Love Plate No. 9

bad reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Lovesick Dork Chamber
What Was I Thinking Delay
Face Slap Slapback

Joeq well done ,pure comedy master thumbsup

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by toledo3

I think though, just take it one thing at a time. When it gets to the point where there actually IS romantic involvement, THAT is the time to unleash the song. IMO, YMMV, ETC.

this is a very good point and I have thought about it. this happened to me once, when I bougt thishuge teddy bear for a girl that lived in my building. I never talked to her, and here I am with this bear. the girl was a swiss gorgeous model type that would never go out with me unless ofcourse I drove up with a convertible ferrari. Anyways.. she thanked me , but it freaked her out. I lost any chance of even being her gay friend.

now with this one, well.. it's not going to freak her out.. but knowing myself I'm sure I will in the back of my mind think that she owes me something in return. and expect her to kiss me or something. if nothing happens she will brake my heart. so, yeah I agree with you giving a song to a girl is risky business.

weird part is .. will I ever write a song for a girl i'm allready with ? did anyone ever write a song for a girl that's been good to them ?

[Jose Mrochek]

Originally Posted by joeq

good reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Mojo Hand Space
John the Conqueror Room
Love Plate No. 9

bad reverb presets for getting her to fall in love with you:

Lovesick Dork Chamber
What Was I Thinking Delay
Face Slap Slapback

this is to funny!!!!!!!!!

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Jose Mrochek

Thanks thrill for the advice on both of the very important matters : )

Anytime my friend. thumbsup

And if it doesn't work out, just remember there are no shortages of pretty women out there, just a shortage of guys with balls to ask them out.

So while you are waiting for this girl to make up her mind, there is a good looking girl around the corner waiting.

[Drumsound]

I always thought The Thrill Factor screen name had to do whit the first time clients hear one of your mixes. I know now it's about those first few dates that are like magic...