Jump to content

Earthshine_sf

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    71

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by Earthshine_sf

    Triggered sequences - how do they stay in sync live?

    in Rush

    Posted

    JARG, I think you are right. I just found this interview with Jack Secret. It sounds like Neil is so good that he starts every song at just about the exact correct tempo, and is able to tweak things in real time if necessary, once a sample or sequence starts. Amazing....

     

    http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/19970700eq.htm

     

    In past years, we used sequencers for the sequenced parts in songs like "New World Man" or "Spirit of Radio". When we started using the Roland S770 samplers, we discovered that we could record and loop sequences and trigger them in real time. Or - if it was a sequence that required a changing passage - there was enough memory in the S770 to record the entire passage. All of the sequences then became samples. Right now there are no sequences being played, just real-time triggering done in two ways: either as one-shot (you hit a key once and the sample plays through its length), or you have to hold down a key (or keys) in order to play the sample.

     

    Using the second MIDI system (which is basically a sample playback system), the band uses samples to augment their performances. These samples are triggered by the band members in real time. It's not like there is a sequencer going with a click, events happen and the band has to follow them. Take, for example, a synth part that needs to come in at the chorus of a song: the band is responsible for making that sample happen at the correct time. It's a matter of learning the part like any other musical part in a song - something that has to be done with either the hands or feet.

    While you might think this sounds pretty easy, remember that if the sample is played late or early, it sounds (for its duration) out of time with the band. Some of these samples last for entire sections of a song, and if they come in at the wrong time, it could be a train wreck. So it really is critical for the band to trigger those samples exactly when they're supposed to start. If a part is played half a beat late or early, you will hear it. If it is right on, then it will musically fit into what the band is doing.

     

    All of the samples that we use are taken from parts the band has played on the multitrack studio masters. The samples are in time relative to the recording so it's Neil's job to make sure that the songs are played at the correct tempo - and he does an amazing job at that using only his musical abilities. When playing live, they are not going to be playing a song faster or slower than what you heard on the album. Songs have to he played pretty much exact to the tempo of the record because the samples themselves are not time-expanded or time-compressed to meet any criteria. If there is any shifting that needs to be done, having done it for so long, they can pretty well handle it (they do that very well, and Neil is amazing when it comes to locking in).

    • Like 4

    Triggered sequences - how do they stay in sync live?

    in Rush

    Posted

    I can't find a good video clip at the moment, but Geddy and Alex appear to hold down on the Taurus pedals until the sequence is finished...I assume this is done so that they can "let go" if things go south, and immediately stop the sequence. (You are right about Neil - he doesn't have to hold anything to keep a sample playing, but his setup seems different than Alex and Geddy).

     

    The mystery to me is how a long sequence stays in sync with the band. For example, if they are playing Spirit of Radio a bit fast one night, the "invisible airways" synth sequence would be completely out of sync with the band after a couple of measures. There must be something that they do to keep things synched up.

    • Like 1

    Triggered sequences - how do they stay in sync live?

    in Rush

    Posted

    This is something I wondered about for a long time:

     

    In many live songs, Alex or Geddy trigger a synth sequencer by pressing (and holding, I believe) a specific Taurus pedal. There are many examples, but check out these two where Alex is triggering the sequence: Jacob's Ladder @ 2:47 (https://youtu.be/dzcA8_EkYQ0?t=167), Spirit of Radio chorus @ 2:28 (https://youtu.be/1jxfDuiDtzU?t=148). In the Spirit chorus , Geddy is also playing a synth line manually with his feet :)

     

    These sequences are always completely locked in to the timing and tempo of the live song. The Spirit chorus in particular would be train wreck if it wasn't dead-on synched. How is this done?

     

    I know Neil is a machine, but I doubt he starts and maintains every live song at the exact same tempo that was programmed into the sequencer!

     

    Could the sequencer be somehow "listening" to, say, the bass drum, and synching to that? I doubt Neil is listening to a click track to any songs other than Red Sector A...it wouldn't make sense for him to suddenly "fix" the tempo of a song when a sequence kicks in....

     

    Any ideas?

    Los Angeles, CA Periscope Thread - August 1, 2015

    in R40 Tour Forum

    Posted

    I'm still buzzing from the show. I was 25th row, Geddy's side. Sound was LOUD and crisp. Incredible excitement in the air.

     

    CTTH was an amazing moment. Almost everyone within the first 15 rows (floor and sides) held up LED "candles" and lighted "Starman" sticks. I recall Alex being taken a back by it. I teared up!

     

    Anyone know who arranged those fan lights and sticks?

     

    Also, at the end, one of the cameras showed some peeps in the front row holding up one word each, making the sentence "YOUR MUSIC CHANGED OUR LIVES FOREVER"

     

    It was incredible!

     

    • Like 4
×
×
  • Create New...