Magic Power

[musicturtle]

I found myself playing this song this week. Here is a one take acoustic version(except for a little 10 second electric solo after the intro) of an old Triumph song that I have always really liked. It was originally recorded on a twelve string so I blended in the feed from my Katana Air with some chorus added. He also sang it about an octave higher in the original(yikes!).

In all there were three audio feeds, a Focusrite condenser a few feet away, the Katana and my cell phone audio. I mixed them in Cubase and this is what I got.

Will post a video of it later on in the Youtube forum.

Let me know if you have any thoughts.

[stratmonkee]

Hey, that was great! Triumph was a huge band back in my high school days, you did this song very well and made it your own...I was wondering what your vocal take would be as original Rik Emmet gets way up there in almost Geddy Lee territory at times, but you made it your own and I really like that, very strong and confident sounding, great job!

[rayc]

I have no idea about the band or their music..this comes across as classic late 70s rock ballad.
I enjoy the mini solo.
I can imagine, from my knowledge of North American bands, Boston doing this.
Nice one Tony.

[vomitHatSteve]

He also sang it about an octave higher in the original(yikes!).

Dang! That would be high

The only real nit I have is that in the quieter parts (palm muting after the intro and individual picking in the intro and end), there's a squeaking sound, as if someone is adjusting their weight on a noisy surface or your hand is scraping the guitar body or something.

[musicturtle]

He also sang it about an octave higher in the original(yikes!).

Dang! That would be high

The only real nit I have is that in the quieter parts (palm muting after the intro and individual picking in the intro and end), there's a squeaking sound, as if someone is adjusting their weight on a noisy surface or your hand is scraping the guitar body or something.

Yeah there were some strange artifacts...the strap on this guitar creaks sometimes...I think that is some of it and the condenser picking up random pick noise.

I tried to EQ it out some...couldn't do it completely.

[WhiskeyJack]

I don't know the original but it sounds like you likely did it some justice in your usual MT way.

Your vocal performance needs no work but the actual recording tonally sounds a little milk carton-ish? Anyone else hearing that? Could that maybe be a phase issue between all the different sources? Maybe?

Cool cover man.

[JD01]

Cracking performance, Tony. I'd love to be able to do songs in a single take like this.
There does a appear to be a bit of boxy reverb going on, but that's likely due to the sources that you've used.

[TripleM]

I thought this was pretty good. Performances were good. I thought the vocal started off a little tentative in the intro. After the intro, it was strong.

I'm hearing some flutter and static early in the song. It sounds like it's on the acoustic guitar track. Hearing a chair squeak in other spots (e.g., 2:40).

[musicturtle]

@stratmonkee , @rayc ,@vomitHatSteve , @WhiskeyJack @JD01 @TripleM
Thanks for listening!

I think the main culprit for the boxy sound is the actual room. Need to put the condenser closer next time to cancel some of that out. I think the squeaks and flutters are the strap of the guitar.

This was a bit of an experiment, and you all confirmed some of the things I heard as well and need to fix going forward.

[vomitHatSteve]

the strap on this guitar creaks sometimes...

Ah, I think that's what I was hearing

[CrowsofFritz]

This is nice! I’m not familiar with the original. I like the song as it is, though. I can’t imagine it a whole octave higher.

[JD01]

Tony, I totally get why you want to do single take whole performance videos. So, can you adjust your camera angle so that you use ideal mic placement for your guitar and voice?

[musicturtle]

Tony, I totally get why you want to do single take whole performance videos. So, can you adjust your camera angle so that you use ideal mic placement for your guitar and voice?

Yeah, I am gonna do that from now on. That, and I just need to use my Aston mic from now on. Yesterday I actually did a run though of another one, with the Aston and it placed a bit closer and the difference was stunning. What I really want is my set up at home with my Martin guitar, but for the time being recording at home is not much of an option.

[musicturtle]

This is nice! I’m not familiar with the original. I like the song as it is, though. I can’t imagine it a whole octave higher.

Thanks for listening @CrowsofFritz!

[ocnor]

Nice job! Triumph is one of my favorite bands. Back in the day I used to sing "Fight The Good Fight". I could actually nail those high vocals. Those days are long gone lol.