DeadRingerThemeConceptAudio.mp3SESSION #1
The idea is to write a Theme Song for the Dead Ringer movie that has a big vocal harmony section (like Nowhere Man) and mentions the name of the movie. Of course, do it in a Beatles style and preferably a style that hasn't been used yet in the sound track. Preferably, something from the psychedelic period. Anthony Walker wrote this song with lyrical help from Scott Allen.
The first step in the writing/recording process was coming up with a concept that included the melody and chords etc. and recording this quickly before it was forgotten. This concept recording was done on a Zoom PS04 inexpensive 4 track hand held recorder with the built in microphone (This recorder is about the size of a pack of cigarettes). The guitar used was Anthony's daughter's toy classical guitar. In spite of the silly built in microphone and missing lyrics, the harmony sounds pretty good and captures the concept. The lyrics and bridge had not been composed at this time.
DeadRingerThemeConceptAudio.mp3
Anthony is performing the following tracks:
TRACK 1: Toy Guitar
TRACK 2: Low vocal harmony
TRACK 3: Mid vocal harmony
TRACK 4: Lead/High harmony
SESSION #2
The Elvis and bridge lyrics were written by Anthony Walker and Scott Allen one afternoon. Anthony recorded/performed the following demo recording in his studio later that night with the following tracks:
DeadRingerThemeSession2Audio.mp3
TRACK & DESCRIPTION
The purpose of the recording was to record the bridge and the feel for reference to facilitate finishing the lyrics. We were surprised how strong the groove was with only tablas as the drum. The harmony vocals parts were perfected in that a few of the notes are different than the concept recording. All tracks were recorded using a Neumann M-149 microphone and Grace 8 channel preamp into ProTools HD-3 except for the bass and acoustic guitar which were recorded using the DI inputs on an Avalon AD2022 preamp.
The other purpose of this demo recording was to begin experimenting with ideas to create a psychedelic feel like "Northern Song", "Baby You're A Rich Man" or "It's All Too Much". Hence the used of the India instruments. Also, at the end of the recording, we could fade into a true Indian sound for the purpose of supporting a scene change in the movie.
SESSION #3
The following improvements were added:
DeadRingerThemeSession3Audio.mp3
TRACK & DESCRIPTION
SESSION #4
The following improvements were added:
DeadRingerThemeSession4Audio.mp3
The snare was played by David Pinsky and recorded with a Neumann U87 about 2 feet away with cardioids pattern and a Neumann M149 about 10 feet up in the air with omni pattern for a room mic. The room mic sounds incredible. Can't really tell so much where the snare is in the mix. David also recorded some cymbal and cowbell tracks that haven't rolled into the mix yet.
Later, Anthony recorded tambourine for the bridge. After recording the intended parts, Anthony tried a few other styles of tambourine just for fun. One of these extra parts was turned around backward in ProTools and aligned with the groove. This psychedelic sound was placed at the beginning of verse one and two. All of David's and Anthony's percussion used the Grace 801 preamp.
Anthony played the Steinberger electric guitar directly through the DI inputs of the Avalon Preamp and then distorted the guitar using the Line-6 amp emulator plug-in in ProTools. No Fender guitar amp was used. The result is the guitar sound is a little unconventional like some of the Beatle guitar sounds.
SESSION #5
The following improvements were added:
Greg Hasyn (director) incorporated this mix into the video at 6 A.M. East Coast time, April 1, 2006. Just in time to bring to Beatle-fest in New York to play for Mark Hudson (Ringo's producer).
DeadRingerThemeSession5Audio.mp3
The electric feedback guitar was played by Anthony on a Steinberger Trans-Trem guitar through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp. The amp was up loud! A volume pedal with 20db gain and Vox Wah Wah were also used. The AKG 414 mic was used with the Grace 801 preamp to record the guitar. During mixing, the sound was reversed so that the guitar feedback played like a tape going backward. There's about 10 minutes of this weird guitar to choose from. In a rush to get this ready for Beatle-fest New York, a few random excerpts were dropped into the mix. Maybe some better ones to choose from for future mixes.
SESSION #6
The following improvements were added:
Greg Hass producer).
DeadRingerThemeSession6Audio.mp3
SESSION #7
This session has not occurred yet. Things to do are:
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