Sdldawn said:

I don't know if it's worse than the plastic npgmc era songs.

But I wasn't crazy about it. It just sounds like a demo. And not the instruments or anything--it's the vocals and overall tone of the song that makes it sound like a demo.

Imago said:

It's not bad, but I'm not too keen on it either, I think it would sound much much better with live instruments, than that plastic live-less drums and those over-the-top voice effect

if prince is a pro he should be allowed to use his tools right?

Dave1992 said:

I'm not a big fan of his new music either, but these are the exact same comments people were making in the 80's about synths, and drums. Those arguments didnt hold water then, and sure dont now. It has more to do with the compositions themselves than "plastic" sounds whatever that means.

Great music can be great earthy and organic like a good blues record, or as cold and sterile as some of those old Depeche Mode records.
[Edited 1/4/09 4:43am]

Ugot2shakesumthin said:

i dig them

what I'm saying is a lesser artist will not produce better art with the most expensive canvas and oil paints than a great artist on a sheet on construction paper and a piece of coal.

Ugot2shakesumthin said:

Which is completely correct and I fully agree with you on that - that's why I didn't add anything, I just had to say I dig them old Depeche Mode stuff

The blind MISleading the blind.....

as an novice musician, i found this thread to be interesting, but what i do not understand is the contrast between analogue and digital in relationship to pro-tools.

i mean, with such programmes, not everything is strictly "programmed". you can connect your bass, real drums, etc via the programme which is what Prince does...in addition to have synthetic beats or instruments from the keyboard. maybe i missed the whole point.

then again with the "live band" recordings, don't most bands have to record multiple tracks also using similiar technology?


[Edited 1/4/09 6:01am]

MyLawd said:

You took the words right out of my mouth.
I can't see how experimenting with Pro Tools has to mean the entire song will be done on the cumputer. People who get upset about this can't be familiar with what kind of programme Pro Tools is.

You're getting it very wrong, it's like if changing his mixing board would change his music.

Pro Tools is just a set of recording and mixing tools, it's the digital equivalent to the old analog recording and mixing devices. The fact he's using Pro Tools shouldn't be noticed by anyone since the final songs should sound the same except maybe a difference in sonic quality. They're used for mastering too.

These digital recording and mixing tools are already a standard in profesional studios, the fact he's new to it means he doesn't like changes in the studio. He learned his studio skills when everything was analog.

So don't expect these tools to change his music, the only change I can think of is that now he'll have a wider palette of tools to play with that were not available in the analog world, although he doesn't seem interested on any new things.

I mentioned this before...

ProTools is mostly 4 mastering... 'The Rainbow Children' was recorded on 2" tape, then mastered in ProTools. BIG, WARM sound.

Even if U record analog, it must become digital, and ProTools is a mastering tool. He may be recording alot within roTools as well, but he's got a great team who knows how 2 emulate analog.

From the new stuff we've heard, it sounds like he emulated a classic analog 220 volt studio within ProTools. It doesn't matter how he records. What matters is the end result.

This is almost like complaining that he used a Wurlitzer or B3 model, instead of the real instruments. Of course, in that example, I prefer the real instruments, but the models can sound very good, if treated right.

berarma said:

RIGHT ON POINT.

If u don't KNOW what Pro-tools is....why are u commenting on it?

While reading some other posts I've discovered the source of the confusion is that he said he's experimenting with Pro Tools for the MPLSOUND album.

That sentence is pretty empty since Pro Tools uses are so diverse he could even use it to make a 50's sounding album. It can be used to record and mix from classical music to the latest techno. The only thing this sentence means right now is that he's some steps behind the rest in recording technology, but he might still surprise us like he did in the 80's.
[Edited 1/4/09 6:59am]

I'm glad there are a few here who know what they are talking about

Giovanni777 said:

Yes, he can even plug the real instrument to ProTools if he wants to, it's up to what he wants to do. Sometimes emulation is used since the real instrument is hard to find and there are excellent emulations of old synths, they're like copies.

Sonically, there is a huge difference between "There Will B Another Like Me", and the other songs.

The others are very well recorded, and effected just right... at leat 2 my ear, through listening 2 crappy quality mp3s. They will SHINE in full CD/WAV/Vinyl quality. There is an obvious throwback sound going on, especially with several nods 2 Hendrix, that almost put U right on the 'Electric Ladyland' album.

"There Will Never B Another Like Me" is dryer, more current sounding, with a musical throwback, in the LinnDrum AND some keyboard sounds that R reminiscent of his first 2 albums.

Where this song doesn't move me, is in the lead synth line, and the vocal arrangement and melody. If those were changed, and it had either (or both) funk bass or guitar, it would SLAM. The groove, and all the synth parts (besides that lead line) R great.

Giovanni777 said:

to everything you said.

I'm really looking forward to the CD versions of the Lotus Flower songs, I want them to sound "wide" and slamming, right into ones head. Mixing the guitar solo in Crimson and Clover from left to right (gosh, how do you call doing that in English? Embarrassing! ) was a good idea already, I usually fall in love with these kind of things quite easily!
[Edited 1/4/09 9:24am]

Some people will complain no matter what!

Giovanni777 said:

I agree. It's such a great song, it 'only' needs changes in vocals, the snyth line, bass and guitar. In other words, the song is a piece of fluff on par with his recent fam-friendly output.

Wall said:

I know it is quite a bit, and that's why I don't see it as Funk... it's light Pop/R&B. I was sure he was going 2 change that song up, before releasing it, but it is on his new site... still could get changed though... or dropped completely. I'm sure the other stuff from this album kills it.

Dave1992 said:

Hey Dave. It is "panning".

Giovanni777 said:

There you go!

Thanks

Gotta say though, it does slam from the breakdown on.

...and the high res dripping synth comping part is funky.

Dayclear said:

asint it the truth!

i think that Prince's use of effects, etc on his voice was more creative or effective in earlier days.

i refer to what he did with his voice in Bob George and 1999's ending.

contrasted with the voice effect on 3121, and i think colonised mind where almost the entire voice track is altered, its not as effective.

i wonder is Prince doing that to the voice because of "creativity/innovation" or because he might lack confidence in his natural voice

i acknowledge that the majority of vocals are "effected" but i hope y'all can feel these thoughts

Wall said:

Right, it sounds great acoustically, but the lyrics are weak as it's the synth lead line. With a better hook, be it a lead line or a chord progression, the song would be much better, IMHO. It's my main problem with his newest songs, they don't have anymore those cool lead lines and chord progressions that would set them apart from anything else.

MyLawd said:

Or like the embarrassing vocal mask on Incense and Candles? Nothing like trying to keep up with Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears in the production game.

Wall said:

It seems like he used those effects in the 80's mainly for fun and they worked. Now he's approaching music too seriously, I think he's trying to sound classic, and as a result his music is much more boring for me. Others might say that it sounds less convincing.
[Edited 1/4/09 12:55pm]