Kon-Tiki (With Missing File)

[Phil.c]

Another oldie!

1963 Strat, TVS3, Vox AC30H2, Fender Jazz Bass, Taylor acoustic, BFD2 Drums.

Phil

EDIT Please scroll down to new link.

[dave robinson]

A good effort and it's very clear that by not using the original track as some of us have done that the whole thing is a long way off the perception of the original record - sound-wise.
i.e. is, some one who knows the tune well will know instantly that it isn't The Shadows version.

This proves that it is the sum of the parts is what makes the Shadows hits the classics that they are. I don't think the stereo mix helped it either, as it emphasised the lack of the big J-200 rhythm guitar sound that is there on the original and the bass is lacking body compared to Jet's. That said the parts are played very well and the lead guitar sound is pretty close.

This isn't a criticism of your playing Phil, you have proved how important it is to use the Shads minus Hank BT if you want to demonstrate a guitar / echo or amp.

[Phil.c]

I've just had a listen and found that this is not the mix that should have been posted In fact it was an earlier trial, the master, I have to find tonight, I also have an A/B comparison, I will dig it out too, in the meantime, the link has been deleted.

Phil

[dave robinson]

OK Phil that's cool, I look forward to the remix with the bits that I mentioned improved.

[Phil.c]

Found the file ...at last, it was on one of my HDR caddy's and not on my pc

Ok, the object with these is twofold, to get as close as possible to the original and whilst doing so, actually finding out what recording and mixing techniques were used so that we can learn by it.

First can I say that competing with a REDD valve desk and the warmth of tape compared to digital equipment leaves a lot to be desired, we can only go so far and I admit that my sound although it's similar, is not the same as the original, I make no appologies for this because we can only do what we can do

Knocking out a typical bt is relatively easy and can be done in a very short time, most of the ones available to buy show this, but actually getting close to "that" sound is not easy, but you have to try it to know It also takes a lot longer Weeeeeeks longer, as everything has to be examined, drums have to be tuned and then damped, eq'd, mic positioned, snares have many types of hits. The drums also blend into the mix and sometimes for example the snare is not heard, it's there but only comes out with louder hits, all this has to be incorperated into the mix.
The other problem is that we might have twenty different toms etc to choose from, but they might stll not sound as the original does

Copying Jet's bass a something else. First of all he has flatwounds and a muted cover plate and has a distinctive style also.

The bass track has it's own reverb and it also has a single delay, this could have been done by ADT'ing the track or most likely with just a delay, if I remember right it has a pre-delay of around 50mls but i'd have to check. By the way, the reverb has to be edited to sound like the echo chamber room at Abbey Road as using just a reverb patch does'nt get you the right sound.

Bruces J-200 also has a distinctive sound, lots of low end body but also some shimmering highs, the low end mixes in with the mix but is noticable when the rhythm is muted.

Hanks sound, well, is Hanks sound

On top of all this is a live performance with plenty of agression and excitement with all players, and.....Abbey Road!!!

Here's my rendition, if I were to do it again I would record a few things differently but it's all a learning curve and there will always be thing that could be changed or added to...in other words, it will never be right but i'm happy with this one.....for now

Phil

[keithmantle]

Excellent Phil, when you listen to the A/B version that's when you hear/comprehend the 'magic'

[Uncle Fiesta]

Well if I may be permitted a couple of small nitpicks, to my ears the drums have been muted just a touch too much, also the bass needs slightly more presence too.
But that's all it is, nitpicking, overall it sounds pretty darn good - and I'm always amazed when anyone gets that double-stopping in the second verse right, 'cos I can't!!

[dave robinson]

The lead guitar on your version sounds 'choked' (compressed ? ) compared to Hank's, as well as having a slightly thinner sound and less prominent echo.
This shows that it isn't easy to copy the original recordings - albeit a good sound. Try the pre-delay at 72ms.

[Phil.c]

Thanks all

Phil