"First and Last (Abridged)" - Original by Ted

[Geir]

That new mix is smooooooooth !!

Did you also use another FX (different compressor maybe?) on the new mix?

Still a fab and inspirational song !! I'm not shitting you

[Ted]

Thanks for the second listen and comments, Nigel, Greeny, Andy and Geir.

Other than these changes, I just tweaked some of the levels (brought up the bass in particular). Plus, I found a vocal setting in Garageband called "Exciting Compressor." So I duplicated the lead vocal, used that setting on one copy of the track, and balanced the two copies. I don't know if that's what you're hearing Geir, or just the fact that I rerecorded the lead vocals entirely.

[Oldrottenhead]

just heard remix that bass is popping, magic.  vox reminds me of a local lad called edwyn collins.

[AndyR]

Oh yeah - love it.

Just listened to both versions, I like both, but the second is the one I'd take with me.

And yeah, you can hear the effect of "exciting compression" on the vocal on the second one. I use the technique on most of my vocals - copy of the track, pile a load of hi EQ on it and compress the cr@p out of it, then add as much of this as is needed after bringing the original track (which is where any effects such as reverb are applied) up to the right place in the mix.

I've recently "worked out" some of why exciting compression works - imagine someone whispering in your ear, what does it sound like? Lots of high end, a very dry (no room reverb) sound. To our brains, bright-EQ and dry equals "closer to us in the room" than a warm-EQ and reverberated sound...

So adding this "exciting compressed" track to the original vocal fools us into thinking the singer is right in our faces compared to the rest of the recording, so it stands out most pleasantly

Anyway, fine song and recording Ted.

[Ted]

The Nutrients are working on learning this. We had one rehearsal without our guitarist, and my making funny mouth noises to fill in the guitar cues.

We are hoping to play New Years Eve again -- pending availability of members. Even though this song is 18 years old, it's never been performed live.

AndyR: You are the one who enlightened me about exciting compression. I'm still not sure I have it down, but I keep trying it.

[Geir]

So I duplicated the lead vocal, used that setting on one copy of the track, and balanced the two copies. I don't know if that's what you're hearing Geir, or.......

That IS what I'm hearing It worked well !

The Nutrients are working on learning this. We had one rehearsal without our guitarist, and my making funny mouth noises to fill in the guitar cues.

Oh, I'd love to hear that

[AndyR]

AndyR: You are the one who enlightened me about exciting compression. I'm still not sure I have it down, but I keep trying it.

Well, it seemed to work ok here! (I'm still not sure about whether I use it right either , I just fiddle around until the vocal is "enough" - sometimes, even, the exciting compression I've set up goes unused)

[Glenn Mitchell]

Hey very cool idea and well produced. You really brought the era back.

[Ted]

I was just listening to "Re-Make/Re-Model" from Roxy Music, which made me think of this comment by Greeny:

Loving the 'walking' guitar riff, and that last little bass nod to Daytripper!

The quote is at about 3:25:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-zSnO7sbXg

[Groundy]

Yeah Nice one Ted.......
So-Pro.....
Well done..........

Alex