A Prayer Before Sleep

Post by **Neil B** » Thu May 18, 2006 12:44 am

<a name="planetz-file"></a><a href="http://www.planetz.com/Pulsar/files/mus ... .mp3"><img src="/forums/images/listen_icon.gif" border="0" alt=" Song"> Song</a> <a name="planetz-tag"></a>Genre: Gregorian-ish <a name="planetz-tag"></a>Uses: Pulsar Mixers copyright © 2006 Neil Buxton _____________________________________ I never intended to upload this track, but have done so as I've cross linked it to a thread running in the General Forum:

http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... &forum=5&8

It's certainly not a dance track

and I'm sure that none of you will like it, but I hope that you can help me regarding the use of Inspector (see thread).

Okay, very meditational, 24 stereo tracks with many choirs and thick sounding pads so mixing was a nightmare in terms of separation and headroom.
I'd appreciate any comments on the mix etc as well as replies to the Frequency Analysis thread.

I used FM7, Atmosphere (2 of 'em) and Kontakt for the Symphony of Voices choirs.

paulrmartin · Post by **paulrmartin** » Sat May 20, 2006 5:28 pm

Fabulous work, Neil. How's about composing a whole mass instead of just "Jesu Christe", eh?

One thing: Can Symphonic Choir sound "happy"?
All I have heard from this rompler is a dark brooding sound. I hope they made samples with the choir smiling.

ChrisWerner · Post by **ChrisWerner** » Sat May 20, 2006 10:55 pm

Interesting point Paul.
No, SOV has in general very "concentrated" and "serious" recordings. There is one sample where they recorded a debriefing with the London choirs, there you can here them laugh, tough.

Post by **Neil B** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:59 pm

Thannks for the comments Paul - much appreciated.

A whole mass instead of "Jesu Christie"? - well, version one had "amen" at the end

Can SoV choirs sound happy?
Yes they can with major chords but when life is kicking you all around the floor it's hard to write happy (or any) music. !!!

paulrmartin · Post by **paulrmartin** » Sun May 21, 2006 2:07 am

A major chord sung by this choir may still sound like brooding I'm afraid.

If you know anything about singing you know that smiling adds brightness to a singer's sound. Listen to commercials and hear the smiles in the voices. The same should have been done with this choir, no? In fact, you didn't really answer my question, eh?

Life has a way of getting better, Neil

Post by **Neil B** » Tue May 23, 2006 10:29 pm

Hi Paul,
I'm a bit late getting back to you ---- sorry!

I have to say that I never thought about happy or sad sounding voices and your example of vocals on adverts set me thinking.
I'll go with Chris's reply that SoV samples are not generally happy ones - he's got a better pair of ears than me

Not sure if that was the question I didn't answer but the only other one I suppose is about doing a whole mass!
Funnily enough, this particular track started life with a completely different plan (but then again, don't they all?).
I just wanted to do something simple based on early New Age electronica that started oozing out when the DX7 was first released. I simply dropped the Gregorian monks phrase in and it went in a completely different direction.
I don't think I know any real monks to find enough phrases to do a complete mass.
Anyway, I'm pleased that you appreciated the track.

paulrmartin · Post by **paulrmartin** » Wed May 24, 2006 2:48 am

I just realised you were using Symphony of Voices and not the East/West Symphonic Choir. So I guess the "brooding sound " question should be answered by Chris...

B. Prophet · Post by **B. Prophet** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:48 am

Nothing wrong with julie Christie!

I loved her work since childhood - Farenheit 451, McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Finding Neverland...oh. Never mind, then.

I like the simple theme, evoking a feeling of regret or wanting to have gone a different path...but perhaps I am projecting.

Such is the magic of music plus too much coffee.

Post by **Neil B** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:46 am

It took me ages to get the Julie Christie joke - must up my medication a bit more or learn the Cowtown sense of humour (or drink some of your coffee)

Thanks for the feedback though. Yeah, there's a hint of sadness or regret in it, but also a feeling of contentment for another day over and things achieved.

I think that the biggest musical "regret" is that I never had the opportunity to have music lessons when I was a child (or ever come to think of it)

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:09 am

Hi, this doesn't sound like a 'prayer before sleep' to me, but more of a 'distant memory' or 'reality detachment', but people listen & read into music in very different ways!

Thanks for sharing it anyway, as it was a pleasure to listen to!