Hey! It seemed like a lot of you enjoyed the last installments of Gear Talkin’ so I’m going to have my right-hand man (and left hand when you get right down to it) tell you about one of our favorite beat-making machines. Take it away Mark… -Jeffy
I love that Gear Talkin #3 followed Gear Talkin #1, causing me to look for Gear Talkin #2 to no avail. Like the old prank of releasing 2 pigs into a store numbered 1 and 3 so people will be looking for #2.
Let’s cut to the chase here, this whole Substack is fantastic but it’s time we all accepted the fact that Gear Talkin’ (TM) needs to be a weekly feature! There’s merch opportunities here too - Gear Talkin’ caps, guitar picks, a t-shirt with an image of Jeff and Mark riding a vintage Key Kroydon through the sky a la Slim Pickens in Dr Strangelove.
This was a super cool bit, thanks (fucking) Mark and Jeff. BUT...what do the guys in the band prefer? Particularly Mikael as he must use a few beat machines live, etc...
Can’t speak for the rest of the guys but we do have a Roland CR78 at the Loft which is often the go-to guy when starting out with a beat. It’s hardwired into the system and has some great 70’s bells and whistles but you still have to approximate the tempo and be ready to readjust once it’s warmed up
Great track Mark and Jeff! I get the idea that sometimes you want a drum beat and a human isn't always available. Hey, Spencer might be out of town or at his own studio, right? And metronomes kinda suck. This one has a funky sound to it. Nice!
Sometimes a drum machine is used for what it does and not really a stand-in for a human drummer. Both can be great in their own ways but these old cranky boxes have their own character and idiosyncrasies.
So Mark, if this piece was performed live by Wilco for example, would Glenn imitate the drum machine or would the band run the drum machine through the PA?
I think it depends. Like HMD is sometimes kicked of with the fun canned drum machine loop from the record before Glenn starts in but I've also seen him just play that bit too.
I just meant it like how some things start with a little something something to build upon like a roux or the like. I don’t know why they call it Hamburger Helper. It does just fine by itself!
The other night I hooked up my son's Casio SA-46 mini keyboard to my Presonus Studio 24c and recorded a basic drum beat, then added some acoustic noodlings and it ended up sounding Vic Chesnutt-ish. So much fun to experiment!
Mark, isn't there a drum machine on Heavy Metal Drummer? Or is that not of this same ilk?
I do believe the beginning of the recorded album track is some sort of drum machine toy thing.
I love that Gear Talkin #3 followed Gear Talkin #1, causing me to look for Gear Talkin #2 to no avail. Like the old prank of releasing 2 pigs into a store numbered 1 and 3 so people will be looking for #2.
Gear Talkin' #2 is sorta hiding but it is there! It's the one about the RCA 44 microphone and it's part of another post. You'll find it!
Love this song, Jeff!
I love my MRK-1. It's the very manifestation of 'non-digital'. Slightly draggy, muffled and dusty but reliable and loving like an old dog.
Exactly!
Inspired to figure out how to use a Roland TR-626 Rhythm Composer I recently acquired.
MORE GEAR TALK!!!!! Love it. (Awesome song, too! Great groove to it.)
Jeffy getting down with that funky sound . . . all right!
Mark Greenberg should write a book. So much writing talent from these guys. Makes me wonder what's in the air at the Loft.
Loved it when you waxed philosophical. Who knew a drum machine could double as a guru…? ❤️
Great writing, Mark! Funny, insightful and, dare I say, off-beat.
Heyoooo!
Let’s cut to the chase here, this whole Substack is fantastic but it’s time we all accepted the fact that Gear Talkin’ (TM) needs to be a weekly feature! There’s merch opportunities here too - Gear Talkin’ caps, guitar picks, a t-shirt with an image of Jeff and Mark riding a vintage Key Kroydon through the sky a la Slim Pickens in Dr Strangelove.
SUPPORT.
😆👍
This was a super cool bit, thanks (fucking) Mark and Jeff. BUT...what do the guys in the band prefer? Particularly Mikael as he must use a few beat machines live, etc...
Can’t speak for the rest of the guys but we do have a Roland CR78 at the Loft which is often the go-to guy when starting out with a beat. It’s hardwired into the system and has some great 70’s bells and whistles but you still have to approximate the tempo and be ready to readjust once it’s warmed up
Great track Mark and Jeff! I get the idea that sometimes you want a drum beat and a human isn't always available. Hey, Spencer might be out of town or at his own studio, right? And metronomes kinda suck. This one has a funky sound to it. Nice!
Sometimes a drum machine is used for what it does and not really a stand-in for a human drummer. Both can be great in their own ways but these old cranky boxes have their own character and idiosyncrasies.
So Mark, if this piece was performed live by Wilco for example, would Glenn imitate the drum machine or would the band run the drum machine through the PA?
I think it depends. Like HMD is sometimes kicked of with the fun canned drum machine loop from the record before Glenn starts in but I've also seen him just play that bit too.
Souper cool! ;) This song --- Dang!
Yeah, that whole Mavis record KICKS!
I'm listening now! Seriously great! And... I see Kelly Hogan was a background vocalist! I love her -- used to see her a lot in her Jody Grind days
Hogan is THEE best.
Wow, "soup starter" is a really interesting idea. Would love to know how you guys use that idea when you're recording.
I just meant it like how some things start with a little something something to build upon like a roux or the like. I don’t know why they call it Hamburger Helper. It does just fine by itself!
The other night I hooked up my son's Casio SA-46 mini keyboard to my Presonus Studio 24c and recorded a basic drum beat, then added some acoustic noodlings and it ended up sounding Vic Chesnutt-ish. So much fun to experiment!
❤️VC
Love love love this song!!