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Post by vmanoover on Aug 4, 2021 8:05:49 GMT -5
Dom is not a member and AVTAK is almost fully prerecorded, as are the drums and Nick's synths in The Valley Most bands use pre-recordings live. It is physically impossible for Nick to play every keyboard note in most of their songs. Their songs have overdubs and layers, if one is missing its very noticeable. It's very normal for Simon to use pre-recorded backing vocals while he sings the primary vocal. Where there are possibilities to play more notes and challenge themselves, they leave more room for error. At the end of the day they put on a show and still play live instruments while staying true to the studio recording. I've seen bands that play live and sound awful simply because they're out of tune, playing altered samples or simply hit the wrong notes. Playing every note live is not necessary, especially for a pop band that uses multiple layers on each instrument and edits them in post production. They're staying true to the song while giving the audience a good show.
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oakey
PAPER GOD
Posts: 2,600
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Post by oakey on Aug 4, 2021 8:54:40 GMT -5
Dom is not a member and AVTAK is almost fully prerecorded, as are the drums and Nick's synths in The Valley Most bands use pre-recordings live. It is physically impossible for Nick to play every keyboard note in most of their songs. Their songs have overdubs and layers, if one is missing its very noticeable. It's very normal for Simon to use pre-recorded backing vocals while he sings the primary vocal. Where there are possibilities to play more notes and challenge themselves, they leave more room for error. At the end of the day they put on a show and still play live instruments while staying true to the studio recording. I've seen bands that play live and sound awful simply because they're out of tune, playing altered samples or simply hit the wrong notes. Playing every note live is not necessary, especially for a pop band that uses multiple layers on each instrument and edits them in post production. They're staying true to the song while giving the audience a good show. True, he cannot play everything live, but what he does seem to play live is 90% mimed as well. And there are many examples of live performances of keyboard heavy band where almost all is played live. I attended an Air concert a while back and they played everything live, vocoders and all. They do recreate the studio sound though by doing it this way. But it also sounds all a bit too smooth. I like the TheMusic series from the first reunion shows, those sound a bit more raw and real to me.
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Post by vmanoover on Aug 4, 2021 9:09:41 GMT -5
Most bands use pre-recordings live. It is physically impossible for Nick to play every keyboard note in most of their songs. Their songs have overdubs and layers, if one is missing its very noticeable. It's very normal for Simon to use pre-recorded backing vocals while he sings the primary vocal. Where there are possibilities to play more notes and challenge themselves, they leave more room for error. At the end of the day they put on a show and still play live instruments while staying true to the studio recording. I've seen bands that play live and sound awful simply because they're out of tune, playing altered samples or simply hit the wrong notes. Playing every note live is not necessary, especially for a pop band that uses multiple layers on each instrument and edits them in post production. They're staying true to the song while giving the audience a good show. True, he cannot play everything live, but what he does seem to play live is 90% mimed as well. And there are many examples of live performances of keyboard heavy band where almost all is played live. I attended an Air concert a while back and they played everything live, vocoders and all. I mean Air are really good but they are more in the lounge genre (slower tempo) and they share the role. I've noticed Nick has pre-programmed keys and loops them live, otherwise it's a lot of pressing buttons with preset samples (which there is lots of in the chauffeur). He tends to only play the soundscape parts live in between the sample playing. If you want to pull shade on someone who can't play an instrument well, I'd go with Fletch from Depeche Mode 👀
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Post by zealous on Aug 4, 2021 22:12:15 GMT -5
True, he cannot play everything live, but what he does seem to play live is 90% mimed as well. And there are many examples of live performances of keyboard heavy band where almost all is played live. I attended an Air concert a while back and they played everything live, vocoders and all. They do recreate the studio sound though by doing it this way. But it also sounds all a bit too smooth. I like the TheMusic series from the first reunion shows, those sound a bit more raw and real to me. I get what you're saying. It does seem like there's a fine line (with some artists the line is finer than others) between "playing" and triggering the next sound/effect, like a dj does. Obviously, there is still skill involved when creating the sounds, music and managing cues, etc. But without improvisation a performance can feel more like a dj set mixed with karaoke, which isn't really what a person wants to see if they've come to hear a band perform (not saying this is Duran. Only saying that I see your point).
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Post by Kiffa on Aug 7, 2021 0:26:46 GMT -5
I should've posted in this thread a few days ago, when it was active, but sometimes it takes me a while to realize how I feel about something.
I am 100% fine with Roger's current performance level*. He does the job, and does it well. It doesn't bother me if he's kind of laid-back about it; that's just his personality. Yes, if you watch live performances from back in the day, he hit the drums with more authority-- but he was also a good 35-40 years younger then. A drummer doesn't need to be savage. Look at Charlie Watts-- half the time he looks more like he's taking tea than playing the drums, and he's considered by many to be one of the greatest drummers in rock history. I don't need Roger to go nuts on the drums. Really, I'm just glad that he's there. As long as he's doing the job competently-- which he is-- I'm good.
* (with the exception that I wish there were more live drums on the recordings)
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Post by vmanoover on Aug 7, 2021 1:02:33 GMT -5
I should've posted in this thread a few days ago, when it was active, but sometimes it takes me a while to realize how I feel about something. I am 100% fine with Roger's current performance level*. He does the job, and does it well. It doesn't bother me if he's kind of laid-back about it; that's just his personality. Yes, if you watch live performances back in the day, he hit the drums with more authority-- but he was also a good 35-40 years younger then. A drummer doesn't need to be savage. Look at Charlie Watts-- half the time he looks more like he's taking tea than playing the drums, and he's considered by many to be one of the greatest drummers in rock history. I don't need Roger to go nuts on the drums. Really, I'm just glad that he's there. As long as he's doing the job competently-- which he is-- I'm good. * (with the exception that I wish there were more live drums on the recordings) Totally agree with you. However I feel like these last 2 singles have been his comeback in some way. Haven't heard such prominent drumming since Too Bad You're So Beautiful. Invisible has the same heavy and recognisable drum intro reminiscent of View to a Kill or Wild Boys. The live drums on More Joy is some of the best drum playing I've heard from Roger in over a decade. Very pleased to hear his distinct drumming so far.
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