"Algorithmic Reality" JD01, musicturtle & rayc

[rayc]

Hello folks,
This track has been slowly developing on the back burner for several months.
That has allowed me to use your ears and my own at a relaxed pace.
I think it's in a good state now that Tony has added his vocal, melody & lyric editing to James' guitar blasts.
Let US know what you think needs tweaking please.

Janspacro050919.mp3

HERE'S the MASTERED version if you're interested.

MST Janspacro_r8b.mp3

BIAB drums, organ & treated piano.
Everything else is from one of the trio with the addition of some guitar spatter from my old friend Eric on the outro.
The poor quietist is not quite,
Detached from all the nettles.
Of the pale neurotic heroine,
Who’s presence tests his mettle.
Though Cubist’s eyes see plastics darts,
Spread out along the string.

In my stupor I shirk it,
Hold stoic serenity.
Pharmaceutical enhancement
Provides nothing for me
Put on my mental makeup,
Of managed reality.

Is Dharma Body a hedge fund?
Human capacity.
Recordings of her sleep talk,
Reveal how she might see me.
My beatic visions clouded,
An active principle.

SOLO

Though artist’s eyes see shiny darts,
Poison in each string.

In my stupor adoring,
Generation’s fealty.
Gothic aspirations
Sail the Holy See
Put on my mental makeup,
I manage servility.

The runaways eats chocolate
Stolen from the garage store
Shelter ‘neath the overpass
Where lovers go no more.
Unpleasant possibilities,
Potential for the past.

In my stupor I shirk it,
Hold fragile serenity.
Decomposed adrenaline
Flavours my cup of tea
Touch up my mental makeup,
A sense of civility.

One & one’s not one
One & two’s not two
You have to pick a dogma
To makes that maths come true
Simple algorithms
That make the world anew

[JD01]

Well done, Ray.
I actually really like the treatment you've given my guitar in the intro - sounds well weird. It was a pretty weird tone anyway, I think I had quite an aggressive phaser and another weird delay effect on it too, but you've really mashed it into something odd.

LIke the distortion effect on Tony's vocal that comes in at about 45s and 1:54. What is that?

[rayc]

LIke the distortion effect on Tony's vocal that comes in at about 45s and 1:54. What is that?

It is, mainly, the airwindows DRIVE.
The secret sauce is that I have a smidgen of it on the vocal all the way through and the double wham in the chorus, the vocal is send to a free track to have the 2nd instance placed on top, really makes it come alive.

[vomitHatSteve]

The office is noisy today, so I can't hear much nuance. But the use of live guitars seems to be giving it a lot of energy that I'm digging.

[Lt. Bob]

man that's a bright git in the beginning .... and in the solo ..... holy crap!!

Not sure yet if I like it or not ..... it's definitely an attention grabber.
If it was like that all the way thru then it would be bad but used as an effect in a few places it's pretty cool!
You using an amp for that?

[JD01]

man that's a bright git in the beginning .... and in the solo ..... holy crap!!

Yeah - that's my phaser - its pretty bright! I'm actually looking for a replacement at the moment.

[Lt. Bob]

I had one of these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MXR-M107-Phase ... cb4dfac948

I really regret selling it

[JD01]

I had one of these:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MXR-M107-Phase ... cb4dfac948

I really regret selling it

I'm currently looking on eBay for a EHX Small Stone.

[Lt. Bob]

a nice phaser too and cheaper

[WhiskeyJack]

Jesus [mention]rayc[/mention] You guys all outdid yourselves. I do think this is probably my new favorite RayC jam. I am really actually quite liking those BiaB drums. I like how that kick is fitting in there. Really great song. I like that transition where it drops way down too. That is really cool. honorable mention [mention]musicturtle[/mention] and [mention]JD01[/mention] this is one hell of a polished sounding jam. Love to hear all you dudes collab together.

I have nothing at all to nit pick about right now. i'll give it a spin on my monitors this weekend but i doubt i'll find anything.

gonna download this one to the old shoe phone.

[CeeBee]

Nice one guys. Shades of Bowie

[JD01]

Nice one guys. Shades of Bowie

Cheers, mate.

[musicturtle]

[mention]WhiskeyJack[/mention] and [mention]CeeBee[/mention]

Thanks guys, I think it turned out really well. [mention]rayc[/mention] has a knack for putting these things together.

[rayc]

Well done, Ray.
I actually really like the treatment you've given my guitar in the intro - sounds well weird. It was a pretty weird tone anyway, I think I had quite an aggressive phaser and another weird delay effect on it too, but you've really mashed it into something odd.

James - all I added to your track was PSP Vintage Warmer 2 - the Lead guitar preset.
The weirdness is all your own - & I love it.

[TripleM]

Overall I thought it was good. Rhythm guitars sound great.

The first thing I noticed was the mix was pretty narrow. Or at least it felt that way to me.

The second thing I noticed was the lead guitar in the intro and first verse jumped from the center, to the left, then to the right. I guess it was to keep it away from the vocal. But it was weird.

The cymbals are a bit swirly.

Vox are a bit far back.

I like the bass sound. And the part.

[rayc]

[mention]TripleM[/mention] ,
Thanks for the ears.
Things may sound a bit wider now in the mastered version in the OP.
Solo movement has been tamed.
The cymbals were a bit phasey - they came that way of that issue was reinforced by some serious EQ carving to address VERY loud hihats.
Vox level - that one is def. a matter for the individual - I like 'em back a bit but...
Ta for the close listen.

[CeeBee]

The mastered version sounds nice and full. I can't make head or tails of the lyrics but I guess that's the reallity of algorythms
That solo is excruciating but it fits in nicely. Nice piece

[rayc]

Thanks CeeBee.
In terms of mixing & production there's been some discussion/debate on another part of the internet.
I mispoke regarding reverb - there is, in fact, VERY little of it on this track.
I was also asked about the distressor/drive effects on the vocal, @[mention]JD01[/mention], so I took a screen shot to show rather than write. Everything used is a free or Reaper native plug.

vox fx.png

[Bubba]

I mispoke regarding reverb - there is, in fact, VERY little of it on this track.

I trust my ears, Ray. It's coming from somewhere. Is it already part of the ambience on the drum track? In any case, I find it all completely unlistenable, I'm sorry.

[rayc]

@[mention]Bubba[/mention]
there's definitely some reverb on the drums at about the same level as the vocal buss: -39.
It's fine, horses for courses and all that.