Human Race - Subtune 4
Project diary
![Image](http://i.imgur.com/EokSf4O.gif)
Here's the original SID, composed by Rob Hubbard:
Here's a
picture of my little basement studio (back when it wasn't cluttered with stuff, and before I built my desktop PC). I use a StudioLive 16.0.2 as an interface into my DAW, which is Reaper.
Intro
I wanted to find something that I could add some vocal elements to, since Lea (the missus') was up for it. Usually, I start by converting the individual channels of the .sid into .wav files, but in this case the tune was simple enough that I went by ear. It doesn't even have chords. Just bass, snare and leads. I started the project on saturday night.
Step 1
I started by figuring out the chords. I decided to go with four-note chords, as I feel like that gives it a more somber feel - as opposed to regular triads. I went with hi and low strings and a slight brass bass. I used
Albion One for this.
I then added a rhytmic element using a nice bass sound using
Zebra 2. The preset is called "Gloom guitar+". I found it
here. It's played in a
bo-diddley beat.
Here's what the project looked like at this point:
http://i.imgur.com/9uVG8uE.png
Step 2
I have a thing for palm-muted funk guitars, so I added that.
![Arr! :arr:](./images/smilies/sm_pirate.gif)
I also played around with playing some higher note chords on the electric guitar. I felt these takes turned out kind of iffy at the time. I believe this is how the tune was left on saturday night. The guitar I used is an Epiphone Les Paul, going through a Boss GT-001. I used a slightly edited version of its' "Retro Funk" preset.
Step 3
Now it's Sunday, and for some reason I felt like the guitars sounded better than the night before. I made a little intro out of it and added some FX to it (A self-programmed preset called "TechnoDrips #3" in Zebra 2). Now I've got a little arrangement going. I added some "chugga chugg", which always works for beefing up the sound.
I decided to go with a 80's type of sound at this point. For some reason it always seems to end up in the 80's. The drum sounds are mostly from the
Korg M1 keyboard. I don't actually have the keyboard, but I have its' drum samples in .wav form. To make it as 80's as possible, I added that typical pre-delayed, slap-back-ish reverb. Makes it sound like it's in a concrete room, or in Phil Collins' basement. The shaker is actually a patch I programmed using Zebra 2, and its' noise-modules - using the arpeggiator as a sequencer. Works really well as a background shaker, I find.
I also recorded some bass guitar, to fill out the low-end of the bass part. Zebra 2 takes care of the high end, the "chugga chugg" distorted palm-muted guitars take care of the mids, and the bass guitar handles sub-bass. This makes for a really thick sound, especially added on top of the strings and brass. I used a
Yamaha TRBX304, just going cleanly through the Boss GT-001.
Step 4
I added the worst guitar solo ever to the intro part, and we recorded Lea singing into a Røde NT-1. I did the arrangement. The first part of the vocal arrangement was later scrapped. At this point there's no EQ or FX on the vocals, and the takes haven't been pitch-edited. In the second lead part I had her sing "bap bap".
Step 5
I was playing around with the acoustic guitar when I recorded the intro part, which was not intended to be put in the final mix.
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
A saturator/distortion plugin was added to the drums. This makes them more "in your face" and they sound louder. I used the "Warm Tape" option in FabFilter Saturn for this. I also added/changed some of the samples used.
I recorded a lead-guitar version of that recognizable lead-part of the tune. That was a no-brainer. I added a plucky synth sound to the second lead part, on which the vocals are meant to fit. I think the "baps" and the synth blend nicely together.
I added some acoustic guitar in the background, but I could never get it sound quite right. I might have to re-record that.
Step 6
Added some effects to the intro part. Some of them include myself closing a door, banging inside a tumble-dryer and Lea pouring a glass of soda. I'm not sure if I'll keep the soda-FX, as it might seem a bit out of place.
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/icon_razz.gif)
I added some compression and volume to the master track, so the song is a bit louder than before.
I discovered that by adding
even more reverb to the drums, it sounded
even more 80's. Who knew?
![Retard :duh:](./images/smilies/sm_duh.gif)
Now it's really starting to sound like 1986 to me.
Step 7
Made some changes to the arrangement. Made it longer. Scrapped one of the vocal parts (I'll need to think of another vocal arrangement). I have the original SID in there to spark some inspiration for what to add next.
Here's how the project looks at this point:
http://i.imgur.com/PP1fLli.png
Step 8
A bunch of changes. Added some more acoustic guitar. Changed the intro and added some bits here and there.
Step 9
I changed the intro again. Tried to bring in the rhythm of the main section to make the transition less jarring, and added some strings. Added a saw-pad to the main sections. Recorded the middle lead part using acoustic guitar, and changed one chord - it seems to fit better with the melody. The SID doesn't actually have chords in it, so they are only implied.