Group
Project; from Drama 262, Sound Design, Fall 2006
CHALLENGE:
Create a multi-track recording of an original song.
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"Out in the Country" written and performed by the Fall 2006 Sound Design Class. (4.8
MB download) |
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In
this track, the MIDI track is muted. This reveals all
tracks recorded and performed by the students of DRAM 262. (4.8 MB download) |
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This is the MIDI composition for "Out
in the Country" .
(3
MB download) |
 |
Download
this .pdf file 120 KB) to see a screen shot of our virtual
mixer for "Out in the Country" in Digital
Performer 5. |
| Or
listen to the recording in stages... |
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Friday,
October 6 ,
Preparation of Student Composition for Recording Demonstration
(3.1 MB download) |
After seeking approval
from the class, I started working on a MIDI track
based on an original idea.
I created the basic MIDI musical track of our original
song.
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Friday, October
13, Student Recording (3.1
MB download) |
We began recording
the acoustic elements of the song by adding banjo. Luke
Nutting performed the banjo part. We first recorded his
electric banjo using a direct connection to our hardware.
We later decided that the acoustic banjo sound would be
better. We re-recorded the banjo using a condenser microphone.
I made an .mp3 mix of
the song to send to the students via email for review. This
allowed them to come ready to propose additional instruments
and tracks.
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Friday, October
20, Student Recording (3.1
MB download) |
David Gassmann added
an electric guitar on this date. We removed the guitar loop
in the original track. Using a direct box, we were able to
simultaneously record his guitar amplifier using an SM57 dynamic microphone and a direct output from his guitar. This allowed
great flexibility later when mixing the song. We ultimately
used the guitar amplifier track instead of the direct output.
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Friday, November
10, Student Recording (3.1
MB download) |
After spending
class time to make minor changes to the lyrics, Rachael Pickering
volunteered to sing the verses. In this example, you will
hear her work. The chorus vocals will be performed by another
classmate. The vocal track represented here has been slightly
pitch corrected. Minor equalization and compression were
added. Rachael's vocal timbre was perfect for the mood of
the song so little "doctoring" was required.
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Friday, November
17, Student Recording (3.8
MB download) |
Today classmates Nick Butler and Marley DelDuchetto added vocals to our recording. First, Nick and Marley sang harmony parts along with the verse lead vocal. Then Marley sang our chorus for us. After class, Luke Nutting invited a fellow musician named Lauren to add violin to the piece. To hear the song without violin, click here.
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Wednesday, November 29, Student Recording (3.8
MB download) |
First, we added the vocals for the bridge between the verse and chorus. Adam Johnson, Alex Levin, and Nick Butler sang this part in unison. In order to achieve better contrast between the verses and choruses, the banjo and violin were removed from the choruses. I added unison vocals underneath the lead vocal on the chorus.
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Thursday, November 30, Student Recording (6.3
MB download) |
Adam Johnson came by and added human drum sounds. Minor changes were made to individual instrument volumes. The overall dynamics of the song were controlled using a multi-band compressor. The violin was given a delayed and "darkened" mirror track that was panned to the left side of the mix.
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Friday, December 1, Student Recording (4.8
MB download) |
At the beginning of class, we added the sound of all the students stomping their feet along with the track. Next, we added group hand claps. It was later determined that the stomps worked against the mix of instruments. David Gassmann added cowbell. Rachael Pickering added a tambourine track. Minor changes were made to David Gassmann's electric guitar track. The mix was fine-tuned.
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RECORDING
INSTRUMENTS: 2
Audio-Technica 4030 condenser microphones, Shure SM58, 57 microphones,
Crown SASS-P stereo condenser microphone, MacBook Pro (2.33 gHz Intel Core 2 Duo), 2 Gig RAM,
M-Audio Firewire 410 Audio Input/Output
Device, Digital Performer 5.11, and Propellerheads'
Reason 3.0. |
