Robben Ford Discussion

jonhanks · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2004 8:57 am Post subject: Life Time Thing

I was just listening to this tune and noticed Robbens voice sound slightly distorted in some way - what is this? It sounds great whatever! Makes it sound like a real old blues tune. Is it some kind of filter on his voice or is it my crappy pc speakers?

jon

fingerlakes · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 4:58 am Post subject:

Jonhanks,

This has become my favorite track on the new CD. Like you, the first thing I noticed was the sound of the vocals. Almost sounds like it was done on antiquated equipment. I also love the tone of Robben's guitar on this track. Great stuff !!

iamthewalrus · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2004 8:30 am Post subject: My guess . . .

There are a few ways you can go about getting this kind of vocal sound (e.g., compression and eq) but my guess is that the vocal was sent to a small guitar/harp amp then mixed back into the track. This may not have been all that was done but is at the heart of it.

Cheers!

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gitarz*r*us · Member Joined: 29 Sep 2003 Posts: 33 Location: Bay Area

Another good example of this technique of using an old harp amp/mike for vocals is Bonnie Raitt's "Round and Round, Up and Down" from "Fundamental." When she sings "everyone tries to push poor me around," the "p's" distort in a most pleasing way. By the way, I hope everybody knows that Robben played on "Slow Ride" from Bonnie's record of about 1991, and on "Two Lives" from "Sweet Forgiveness," of about 1977. Obviously, Bonnie recognizes talent (besides being a huge talent herself).

Daved · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 6:34 pm Post subject:

I asked Robben about this when I spoke with him this evening, but I couldn't remember exactly which song you guys were refering to, so I'll bring it up with him again when I see him this weekend.

But basically, without knowing specifically which song you all were wondering about, Robben says he can't remember having ever done any specially processed vocals, unless the producer or engineer did something in later mixing.
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Aeolian · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 7:25 pm Post subject:

Could be re-amping (running the track through a miked amp back on to a spare track to get the sound of that amp) but there are tons of mic processors out now that give that vintage sound along with modeling different mics. I suspect this was done as there is distortion all over the drums on this album. While it's common to push the tape a bit to get a little natural compression, Nico is far too good an engineer to have deliberately printed the drums this overloaded. I believe that this was done at mixdown to get that vintage, organic (is how a friend described it) vibe.
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iamthewalrus · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject: YIKES - plug ins!

I left recording engineering/producing in 1992. In those old days us guys had to be a bit more 'hands on' to get new and interesting studio stuff hence the time honored running the tracks though a nice small (tweed, sometimes) amp slighty overdriven to get somthing like the sound I'm hearing on the song discussed. Plus compressing the sh*t out of it. With all the modeling processing and "plug ins" available to engineers today that's probably more work than they need to do; still a nice "trick." I had the amazing experience of listening to the masters of Sgt. Pepper and was truly humbled. Will we ever get to hear the real story RE the sound of "Life Time Thing"?"?"?"?"

Cheers Question

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fingerlakes · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 2:18 pm Post subject:

Daved,

The tune under discussion is " Lifetime Thing ".

JohnnyBlues · Member Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 23

Hi there gitarz,

As regards Bonnie Raiit, she really does know a good musician when she sees one, liking as she does the following:-

Richard Thompson
Paul Brady
John Hiatt
John Prine
Keb' Mo'
Sonny Landreth

All of these guys are astonishingly good but none are famous, which is a shame. It seems people would rather have Britney than Blues and other forms of great music Shocked

All the best,

JohnnyBlues.
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