Thread on Harvey G's Recpit Forum: The "Hidden Cowbell" Trick

Mark · 11th August 2003

I know there's a whole thread about this on The Big Guy's Recpit forum, but I figured I'd get a better response here.

I'd like to try it out, but I only have 8 Tracks. Would it still work if I mixed the Hidden Cowbell in with a drums bounce? Or would it have a deleterious effect on subsequent overdubs as the musicians subconciously kept speeding up in response to the subliminal cowbell?

Harvey Gerst · 11th August 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark
I know there's a whole thread about this on The Big Guy's Recpit forum, but I figured I'd get a better response here.

I'd like to try it out, but I only have 8 Tracks. Would it still work if I mixed the Hidden Cowbell in with a drums bounce? Or would it have a deleterious effect on subsequent overdubs as the musicians subconciously kept speeding up in response to the subliminal cowbell?

It's kinda like the icing on the cake that says, "Happy Birthday" - it's the last thing to go on the tracks. Because you want the cowbell to "push" the beat, it's important that the beat is already established.

Mark · 11th August 2003

One track for something that shouldn't be heard seems kind of extravagant on less than 16 Pistes. Did you say it was an old Motown trick? They only had an 8 Track, right? Is Mr Ohlsson about?

Harvey Gerst · 11th August 2003

No, I believe it's an old Barry White trick. The wild thing is that once you're aware of it, it can be heard. But on just casual listening, you don't really hear it - till you mute the cowbell track, and the drive just sort of collapses.

On the Motown stuff, it's the amazing Jack Ashford's talent on the tamborine that supplys more drive than most people realize. Of course, the other guys kinda helped, or at least, didn't hurt.

Mark · 11th August 2003

Damn yes. I read the original thread (and even asked a question in it, to absolutely no avail

), so I should have noticed that the late Mr White (sadly missed) was the progenitor of this particular piece of audio prestidigitation. Curse my terrible memory.

Ol' Betsey · 12th August 2003

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.

Mark · 12th August 2003

Click here and all will be made clear.

Harvey Gerst · 12th August 2003

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.

ozraves · 12th August 2003

Harvey--

God bless you for passing on these secrets. So, is this something that was discovered during a Blue Oyster Cult session?

--Steve
www.mojopie.com

P.S. I drove through Sanger and Denton the other night. I wanted to call you and stop in say hello. But, I was running very late for a Neil Young and Crazy Horse show.

Harvey Gerst · 12th August 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by ozraves
Harvey--

God bless you for passing on these secrets. So, is this something that was discovered during a Blue Oyster Cult session?

--Steve
www.mojopie.com

P.S. I drove through Sanger and Denton the other night. I wanted to call you and stop in say hello. But, I was running very late for a Neil Young and Crazy Horse show.

Hell, you shoulda called. Last nigh, I went to see "Pirates of the Caribean", but I'm normally here and awake till about 1 am or so.

Oh well, next time.

ozraves · 12th August 2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Harvey Gerst
Hell, you shoulda called. Last nigh, I went to see "Pirates of the Caribean", but I'm normally here and awake till about 1 am or so.

Oh well, next time.

How was the movie? I've been meaning to see it.

Harvey Gerst · 12th August 2003

The movie was pretty damn good - great special effects and great photography. I understand Johhny Depp modeled his "Cap'n Jack" charactor after Keith Richards, and if you watch the movie with that in mind, it's a hell of a lot of fun.

Some of the talking was below my 66 year old ears level of intelligibility, so it'll be fun on DVD with subtitles when it hits the stores.

11th August 2003	#1
Mark Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: I'm Behind You! Oh, okay, I'm in England. Posts: 366 Thread Starter	Thread on Harvey G's Recpit Forum: The "Hidden Cowbell" Trick I know there's a whole thread about this on The Big Guy's Recpit forum, but I figured I'd get a better response here. I'd like to try it out, but I only have 8 Tracks. Would it still work if I mixed the Hidden Cowbell in with a drums bounce? Or would it have a deleterious effect on subsequent overdubs as the musicians subconciously kept speeding up in response to the subliminal cowbell?

12th August 2003	#6
Ol' Betsey Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: London Posts: 1,992	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. __________________ The Speaker Snuggy is specifically designed to compensate for the additive effect of using plugins which literally remove the blanket from your speakers. These plugins can sound good when solo'd, but when used across dozens of tracks they can leave your speakers sounding cold and insecure. (Casey / Bricasti) When I haven't any blue I use red. (Pablo Picasso) Ol' Betsey Satan - The Original Flower Shop 8 track - "She fought long and she fought hard..."

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11th August 2003	#4
Harvey Gerst Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sanger, TX Posts: 1,237	No, I believe it's an old Barry White trick. The wild thing is that once you're aware of it, it can be heard. But on just casual listening, you don't really hear it - till you mute the cowbell track, and the drive just sort of collapses. On the Motown stuff, it's the amazing Jack Ashford's talent on the tamborine that supplys more drive than most people realize. Of course, the other guys kinda helped, or at least, didn't hurt.

12th August 2003	#9
ozraves Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,124	Harvey-- God bless you for passing on these secrets. So, is this something that was discovered during a Blue Oyster Cult session? --Steve www.mojopie.com P.S. I drove through Sanger and Denton the other night. I wanted to call you and stop in say hello. But, I was running very late for a Neil Young and Crazy Horse show.