folk/ragtimeblues/ "aging" a recording...

[shawl]

I listen to an awful lot of old recordings (folk and blues) and like to play in that style, too. Never really tried it, but came across the iZotope Vinyl plug-in and (as the novelty has not worn off yet) tried to "age" a couple songs to get more of the "old-time" feeling.

It kind of gives me the feeling I want, but not happy with all of it. Often sounds as if the effect is only "on top" of the music, not sure how I could mix things to enhance the effect before using the plug-in. Also, the vocals (my wife) are just impossible to get the way I want - hard to get them in the same feeling as the rest.

Both originals, the first is a ragtime-blues type song, with quite a bit of effect. The second is a little more subtle, but the vocals just don't match it too good.

[garageband]

Sounds like if you found the cloudiness between like 180-400 on the vocal and pulled it down just a bit, it would sit fine. On the second song, the low vocal combined with the slight fogginess really hurts what you are trying to do.

BTW, try mixing into the effect with it running as opposed to adding it later.

Good songs.

[kakeux]

Hi,

Really nice songs...

Hard to give advices here as I never tried to get an old sound expect with just EQ tricks (simply using preset like "old radio" or something)...

I agree that the " vynil" effect seems not really "glued" to the song...a bit on the top of it. Maybe it is just too proheminent.

Cheers!

[Emma]

Great songs - I really enjoyed them!

With the first song, I kept thinking of the words 'charming' and 'delightful' ... it has a great feel to it. I would have liked the vocal a bit more up front and found the fizzing a little distracting although I love the concept. It really is a lovely song with cool lyrics! The effect reminded me of my old blues LPs, Leadbelly etc..

The second song is also quite scrumptious - love the low cool darkness to your wife's voice. It is smooth but has shadows to it that I enjoyed, in contrast to the bright and bustling guitar. I did find the contrast between the lead vox and backing vocals a little pronounced. They just caught my ear and puzzled it a little.

[DanTheMan]

Cool songs right on my wheelhouse.

Great guitar work man. Loving it.

My question would be: how are you using the plug in now?

I'd throw it on top of the whole thing and only once. Mixing the rest with it there, you should be able to get it all to work I'd think. I've often thought about doing some mixing like that, but just can't get to doing it. I think the folks from that day and age would kill to get their stuff to sound like we can now... but it would be fun to do--I get it.

Dan

[Mackanov]

I've been listening to some stuff from the 40s lately. I've found a cool study of frequency content throughout the ages: Recordings Through The Decades Part 1 - Frequency

Hope this helps.

[The Chronolith]

Hello,

These are some killer tunes. I really like the way you approached the production. It makes them stand out (in a good way) compared to a lot of the folk/folk-pop stuff that is out nowadays.

I have fooled around with the Izotope Vinyl plug-in before on hip-hop tracks to give the impression of sampling an old record and what I found was that a little goes a long way. If I remember correctly, you can choose how often the record scratches(like a "dust" filter I think?). You may find just by dialing that setting down a bit could give you the effect you're looking for without distracting away from the song itself.

+1 for mixing with the plug-in on.


Very cool tunes and nice pickin'