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

[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?

[Harvey Gerst]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Click here and all will be made clear.

[Harvey Gerst]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.