New Version of Scree

Well, I have learned to mix by reducing volumes versus making things louder.  I have gotten some feedback that the gain was too low on the MP3's.  So, I remixed the song and created new MP3s. As usual, the feedback was "right on" and these mixes do sound a bit better.  Enjoy and thanks!

Its Finally DONE

Well, after hours and hours of working on Phil's drum part, here you go.  Enjoy!

Mike's Guitar Part

After much tinkering, Mike's 12 string part is close to ready for the mix.  This has always been an elusive sound for me to recreate.  I will post a section below with an explanation and audio examples on how this part is both played and mixed.  The solution to the sound may prove to be helpful for other tunes as well, in that, Mike's direct bass sound is also unique throughout the album and just might be a derivative of this direct 12 string sound.  Time will tell.

The guitar towards the end of the tune still needs to be performed but all the keyboards are complete.  The first pass of the drums are complete for about the first minute of the song with the balance of the song partially completed.

The percussion needs to be mixed in but one of the sounds from the ARP needs to be sampled and a new sound sample set created for the virtual Arp.

It won't be long (YEAH) before this song is "in the can".

Virtual Arp Pro Soloist

Now that I am deep into the Scree, I realize that using Kontakt with my ARP Pro Soloist samples has provided me with a Pro Soloist in software.  It sounds quite amazing on the track.  Can't tell it apart from the real deal.

Kontakt even has a method for assigning attributes to aftertouch... can't wait to play with it and see if my Axiom midi keyboard (has aftertouch) can eliminate the need to manually place the controller data in the midi file (would much rather be able to play it live that sit there and adjust data).

I am now on the to drums, I have completed all the keyboards and Mike's 12 string part.  Funny how I never noticed I was missing 2 measures in the original MIDI file from '97 but there ya go.

Riding the Scree Introduction

Riding the Scree is one of those classic Genesis moments where the TRIO have a go at a very organized jam.  Mr. Banks uses the ARP PRO SOLOIST at it's best (it was touch sensitive for many articulations; pitch, filter, vibrato, etc.).

Phil gets a chance to really "let it go" and comes up with some pretty tasty drumming for a song in 9/8 time.  There are sections where the band plays in 4/4 time but Mike keeps his concentration and continues his 9/8 rhythm guitar part (during the vocal part and some of the Synth solo).

Mike plays a 12 string electric underneath the jam.  It is a part that repeats almost all the way to end of the song.  I use to call the sound Mike got, plastic guitar, because of its unique sound.  I always thought that he used something other than a 12 string Rick on this song, but in putting it together, was able to come pretty close to THAT sound using a RICK 12 string electric sample set and AMPLITUBE with some copious EQing.

Enjoy the show.