America 2011

[walker]

This is a song by The Reply called 'America.' No relation to the Yes/Simon & Garfunkel song, that is... until I noticed that the tempo was close enough to the Yes version that I could play some of the Squire bass lines along with it. Since the guy in 'The Reply' is a friend of mine, I tracked my bass and mixed it in with his original version just for the hell of it, paraphrasing one of the main themes that Chris Squire played in the solo section of the Yes version.

The Reply - America

[woodyng]

very cool,Mark!

[ram]

the first time thru is a great tune (I just listen for the overall effect). Subsequent listens and Clint needs to be brought up in the mix, but still a great tune. Has Club Throb all over it!

[walker]

I was feeling the same thing Tom noticed about the mix - a little bass-heavy, even for my usual bass-heavy taste. So I brought the bass down in the mix so that I'm complimenting Clint's track moreso than stepping on it. And upon Dane Paul Terry's suggestion, I've added Mr. Bruford's snare to the mix, sampled from YES' 'America' of course! And I added a third bass line to enhance the syncopation of the bass fill and did a bunch of crazy panning & whatnot. It makes for an animated headphone listen. It's at the same link above.

[Jonesey]

Nice stuff - it's got that Madchester-flavour to it
I don't think the bass is too loud, but a tiny bit more vocals wouldn't hurt.

[ricmic]

Great stuff Mark. Loved the bass work. Mark

[walker]

Thanks, guys. I agree on the vocal mix. But all I had access to was Clint's original master, so I couldn't really do much outside of a little EQ to try and make his voice stand out a little more. That's what made adding my bass tracks a challenge - making them fit in with the rhythm tracks without burying the vocals. But it works for what it is, just a little for-the-hell-of-it mix. If I had it to do over, I'd back off on the sub lows of my bass and boost it a little more at around 250-400hz so that the tracks don't compete so much with the subs of Clint's rhythm tracks during the louder parts.

[rickenbrother]

Good stuff, that sounds excellent Mark! I "Liked" it too! I'd say that the next time I see you, I'd want your autograph, but I have it already!