Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Steve Hackett - Once above a time DVD

2004-11-28 by kinchmusic@aol.com

Hi All.
I have a serious problem with this DVD, and it's this. There is no-one on
this list or anywhere else on this planet who would be normally be urging
musicians to play real tron every time if they had the resources to do so.
However, I have to say that having played Steve Hackett's new live DVD to
death over the last couple of days, the idea that you can't faithfully re-create
the spine tingling sound that we have all come to know and love using
samples has been laid to rest once and for all. This is absolutely superb in every
way. I would defy anyone here to listen to the audio only and not be
convinced that you're not listening to the real deal.
Having spoken to him during this tour, I know just how much the guy loves
the tron as much as we do, and whilst I don't know what samples are being used
(nor do I care) it seems that every effort has been put into the quality
(warts and all) of the results. In fact the only thing that gives the game away is
the overly long sustain Roger King is able to achieve without the old spider
technique some of us have managed to develop over the years.
Consider this..(I never thought I'd ever say something like this)..When we
heard the instrument for the first time, what really attracted us? Was it the
sound? Or what was being used to create the sound? One would inevitably follow
the other, but for me it was simply what was causing the hairs on the back
of my neck to stick up..the sound. I knew nothing about the mechanics of the
thing. Tape replay systems were a bit of a mystery to tell the truth. Don't
get me wrong I love my little white box as much as anyone, and seldom have I
heard "recreations" work until now.
What this technology does is to enable artists and sound engineers to be
confident enough to put the sound where I like it...Up in the mix! At least they
know that when it's there it will arrive clear of pops and hums, and in tune!
Tron Highlights on this disc..."Fly on a Windshield" "Ace of
Wands""Clocks""Spectral Mornings""Every Day"...Oh yes.."that" solo from "the Firth of Fifth"
Go Buy, close your eyes and enjoy a fab concert in widescreen and Dolby
Digital/DTS

Andy K

By the way, welcome the wacky world of mellotrons and their mad owners Gia!

Re: [Mellotronists] Steve Hackett - Once above a time DVD

2004-11-29 by Mattias

Hey hey,

I am glad to hear that their samples are working out for them. As a studio owner with a fair deal of old bulky equipment I must say that to me in what I do having the actual instruments makes all the difference. To ;sidestep just a bit from the Mellotron discussion....I have two Solina/Arp stringensembles. It isn't my favourite sound in the world. Decent sounding and very set in it's time...but in my opinion not that spectacular. But it get's used by bands a fair deal anyway. Bands see it up on a shelf and wonder what it is. You hook it up and say that it is all over David Bowies Low album, Shylock or whatever ( change reference according to the band ) and they will without doubt record something with it.

Of course this isn´t the right way to go about it...but knowing musical references and having the actual piece of furniture in front of you makes a big difference to sitting going through menu's on a sampler. Drawbars on a hammond, Fender rhodes sustain pedals, scratchy Optigan discs. Tuning problems, warped keys and all....

If I would sample my keyboards and equipment note for note with the highest possible sound quality and then sold my bulky woodenclad instruments. Would the studio still be attractive to bands and musicians ? Me in a cupboard with a wonderful tuned grey sampler and discs upon discs of sounds.

I understand completely why people use them. If I didn´t own the little white box I would have samples but I am not sure that I would use them as much as I use the Mellotron.

Best regards,

Mattias

Roth Händle Studios, Stockholm