Walking into the recording studio, there are two rows of different types of guitars, two different types of drum heads on the two bookshelves, and a variety of musical instruments, all of which are dazzling, but they still can't steal the sight. The behemoth in front of him firmly attracts eyeball-
The audio console, which is about three meters wide, has hundreds or thousands of buttons on it, which makes patients with intensive phobia faint. There are two ashtrays filled with cigarette butts and microphone sponges, which can clearly feel the traces of the work just now.
That is the famous Neve-8028!
Why is the City of Sounds such a powerful attraction that it has attracted countless great singers to record here, especially rock bands. The reason is this Neve-8028 recording console, and their outstanding recording drum technology.
In the new century, with the rapid development of digital technology, an amateur singer stands in front of a recording microphone. Even if the tone is incomplete, the sound engineer can use computer technology to restore it frame by frame, and the finished product will be recorded without any problems. It also makes the proportion of idol singers soar. As long as the appearance is good enough, the tone, pitch, and timbre are all no problem, and the recording studio can turn corruption into magic.
On the contrary, those singers who lack features in appearance but are exceptionally good at singing will not have a chance to stand out. This is also an important reason why the "Voice of America" is so popular.
However, in the era of traditional record production, recording studios did not have such technology. They could only rely on a huge recording console to complete the recording over and over again, and then find every flaw in the sound. The singer learned the lessons and experiences and re-entered the recording. Over and over again, never tire of it. The greatness of Neve-8028 lies in this, presenting the most essential, original and delicate sound effects, and interpreting the profound meaning of singers to the extreme, which is also the greatest charm of the City of Sound.
"Reincarnation Paradise"
In the contemporary digital age, a singer may only need an hour, or even half an hour, to complete the recording of a song, and leave the rest to computer technology; but in the traditional era, a song needs to be repeated, Repeatedly, it is very likely that it will take a week to complete a three-minute song.
Renly's stunned and surprised expression was barely concealed, and the middle-aged man walking towards him caught it immediately, turned his head and pointed at the audio console, "This is really a beauty, isn't it?"
Renly nodded vigorously, "Of course, I want to go out with her now, do you think I have a chance?"
The middle-aged man was amused, "No problem, then let me see how the spark between you is." He turned around and introduced himself politely, "Herbert-Jones ), you're Renly, so, are you ready to record something exciting?"
Renly rubbed his palms, "I can't wait." But then he paused, "But before the official recording, can I have a glass of hot milk?"
"Haha, you sound like Kurt Cobain, but he wants alcohol." Herbert laughed happily, "Young man, this is not Century City, you have to go for what you want. Get it, even for cigarette butts."
Andy came up and asked, "Renly, how are you?"
Renly nodded, "I just need a glass of hot milk." Milk can more or less ease the tumbling stomach, which is still helpful for sobering up.
Andy took a deep breath and looked left and right, "God, you really need to hire an assistant." Then Andy saw Renly's surprised expression, as if it were a fantasy, and Andy immediately followed suit. Realizing that he was a bit ahead of his time, he shook his head, "I'm going to buy hot milk, you can start working first." After that, Andy strode out of the studio.
"The cat version of Cobain, you should know that Sound City can only record physical singles, not digital audio sources, right?" Herbert sat down in front of the sound console and skillfully pulled a cigarette out of a cigarette case. The cigarette was lit directly. "Andy said just now that you are going to record two singles. I was about to tell him about it, but it was interrupted."
Cobain the cat...
Renly complained that he was powerless, but the point was not here now, "I know now." Looking at the recording equipment in front of him, Renly was not surprised.
Renly's understanding of the history of music development in the last life is very limited, and it's just a skin, but he remembers that the City of Sound gradually declined, and he didn't know which year it was, and it finally closed down completely.
Now, the reason couldn't be more obvious—the inability to record digital sources was the root cause.
After entering the 21st century, the sales of albums in the US market have been declining. By 2013, the sales of singles have gradually begun to overtake, and the focus of the development of artists has gradually shifted from albums to singles. Digital audio sources play an irreplaceable role in it. Therefore, a recording studio that cannot record digital audio sources will inevitably be eliminated by the times.
"So you're like Christopher Nolan?" Renly said half-jokingly. Christopher Nolan has always insisted on shooting films in the most traditional and original way, which has been criticized by many people in Hollywood, but Christopher Nolan has always insisted on shooting films in the most traditional and original way. Always able to shoot wonderful works, naturally do not care about these controversies.
Herbert showed a puzzled expression, "What?"
Apparently he didn't understand Renly's joke, Renly rubbed his nose and shook his head with a chuckle, "It's alright. I mean, physical singles are fine, now that computer technology is so advanced, CDs can be converted into Digital audio source, it couldn’t be easier.”
Just trouble. If everyone makes an album like this, recording a physical version first, and then transcribing it into a digital version, it will not only be troublesome, but also the cost will skyrocket, and it is estimated that the record company will riot. Fortunately, Renly just recorded two singles, not that much trouble.
"Very good." Herbert took a strong puff of his cigarette. "I haven't heard the master tape. Can you play it live now? Or did you bring the master tape?"
"I can play the original song once." Renly walked over to the guitar stand and picked out the guitars without hesitation. The tone of each guitar is slightly different, and everyone has their own habits and preferences. , true professionals will carefully select.
Herbert was not in a hurry and watched Renly's audition quietly. After simply trying four guitars, Renly chose an acoustic guitar and turned around, "Should I go directly into the studio?"
It can be seen that Renly is a connoisseur, and he is very clear about his style, preferences and habits, but he is also a newcomer to the recording studio. There are fewer and fewer independent musicians like this now, just like the sound of the city. The status quo is the same. "Yes, you can go directly to the recording studio. Leave the rest to me."
Renly pushed open the glass door next to him, and then he was bathed in the warm yellow light. The spacious space was almost half the size of a basketball court. There were messy connection lines all over the floor, and there was even some clutter. There is a microphone stand in the center, and a lot of music scores are stacked on the music stand next to it...
"The high stool is next to you, you can bring it here." Herbert's voice came from the loudspeaker, "The scores are all David's, you can just throw them aside, their own new songs, they remember. "
Renly glanced at the stack of scores and asked in a loud voice, "This is the Spitfire's new album?" Is that why David and the others were here just now
But Herbert didn't respond. He pointed to his ear, and then to the microphone next to the music stand. Renly then responded and asked the question again to the microphone, and Herbert could hear it clearly. , "Yes, it's been more than a month of recording, and only three songs have been completed, and the progress is slow." After complaining, Herbert said, "You can start when you're ready."
Renly moved the chair to the microphone, adjusted the height, then sat on the chair and started tuning. After a while, he was ready. He looked left and right, there was a headset hanging on the music stand, and he pointed. He gestured to Herbert, "Do I need to wear one?" Herbert shook his head, which made Renly soft-spoken - before watching movies, they all had to wear headsets in the recording studio, he thought that It is a must, and now it seems that he is an absolute rookie.
After adjusting his sitting position, his fingertips began to outline the strings. He chose "Cleopatra". The brisk melody seemed a little thin without any accompaniment, but it was a graceful melody. But it drifted throughout the studio, and every musical note seemed to be injected with life, making people truly feel its existence.
After one piece was played, Renly did not pause, and then played "Ophelia" again on the guitar. Compared with the keyboard version, the guitar version is too clear, lacking the loneliness and coldness hidden in the keyboard sound, and lacking the accompaniment of drums, the melody is also a bit monotonous, and the layers are not rich enough.
Still, Renly enjoyed it, reminiscing about the purity of last night's street performance. Renly felt that this was a brand new discovery. He had never performed on the street before, and the pure joy, the simple touch, was indeed a kind of enjoyment.
After the two pieces were played, Herbert didn't speak for the first time, but thought about it seriously, "The first piece... Would it be more appropriate to use an electric guitar, the tone lacked a little clarity, but it was thicker, and then With some drumming, the whole emotional layer becomes richer."
"I have also considered whether the part where the chorus is cut can be replaced with an electronic keyboard. After the rhythm has slowed down, the monotony of the guitar is replaced with the richness of the keyboard; and, if the guitar can assist a little bit of the bass tone and control the rhythm, It would feel good. Or do you think a bass guitar is enough?"
The two songs were original versions before, and they were not arranged, but that doesn't mean Renly didn't consider the arrangement. Now that you're in the studio, it's time to execute the idea in your head.