Automatic Double Tracking

Posted on

Member Since: Sep 30, 2009

So, as quantum leap goliath is installing i began to read the PDF manual rather than just messing around on my keyboard some more (though i really do need to hone those skills! Keys are by far my biggest weakness!)

Anyway, i read about a handy little tool they have in the instrument plug in. Automatic double tracking, invented while the beatles were in the studio. They say some people consider it often superior to double tracking, not to mention it would cut down so much on time! And eastwest was kind enough to include a digital version of it with goliath. Unfortunately, since its in the program itself i doubt i'd be able to run my vocals or guitar threw the program to try double tracking them.

So, any ideas on if any company makes a vst pluggin with ADT? A few short searches on guitarcenter left me only with a $250 pedal, not optimal price or format. KVR was a little tough to search threw, though i might try refining my search a little more but i figured i'd check here first.

[ Back to Top ]


Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Dec 05, 2009 07:47 am

I've looked alot into double tracking.. or atleast did about a year ago and ive yet to find a plug that really convinces me. I can imagine a VSTi using samples waves would handle the trick by maybe actually using double track samples or two different samples of the same thing recorded for the purpose of double tracking, just brain storming on how it would be done.

but done on actual recorded stuff usually the plugs ive seen just end up sounding like a chorus, not so much a double track. Its a bit more intricate than just duplicating the wave and delaying or such so im not surprised its hard to pull off

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Dec 05, 2009 09:13 am

Ya, i thought it'd be difficult.

Btw, the way east wests double tracker works (or so they claim) is it sort of delays the signal forward and back by whatever rate you choose. Like one second it might delay it 3 ms the next 10 ms (not using real numbers, just trying to explain the way they did). They also claim the beatles did it with tapes. But who knows haha. They sure like bragging a lot in that manual ;]

Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Dec 05, 2009 09:44 am

Well i think the nature of actual analog tape would help teh double tracking be a bit more realistic as remember the double tracking is not only the variable delay but also just the introduction of total anomalies, slight phase changes, accenting changes all of that stuff

actual tape, especially during the Beatles era im guessing wouldnt play back the duplicated track perfectly and thus be more realistic as if another person was playing

digitally however, how do u introduce such randomness? I suggest using a double track plugin but also micing the duplicated signal, using actual real life air would definitely introduce some insanity

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Dec 05, 2009 11:40 am

Hmm. Not a bad idea really! I might try that some day, especially if its on a part that i want double tracked but my fingers simply wont cooperate :\

Isn't it funny how we've grown to love the "broken" sound of music? We love those little anomalies :] You can hear in some Nine Inch Nails albums (i know, i'm obsessed lol) fairly noticeably out of tune guitars that really SHOULD sound bad. But they just seemed to express the broken sound trent was going for.

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006


Dec 05, 2009 03:02 pm

I use delay to thicken a guitar when I don't have a double available, but I can't think of anything better than a dbl. Digital instruments maybe, but tracking analog instruments I just can't see it being better or even as good.

Now, the beatles tracking a single guitar riff with some fx to thicken it probably sounded awesome on one guitar. Then they added another guitar that was usually completely different, and keys, and bass, and three part harmonies etc... If a song is really full sounding due to the composition then I dare say double tracking is not needed. I write these types of songs once in a blue moon.

My arrangements are for the most part simple hooks which really benefit from the thickness of a double take.

my $.02

Member
Since: Sep 30, 2009


Dec 05, 2009 03:51 pm

I agree, different genres and writing styles call for different techniques. And personally, i tend to like the simple hooks a little better. Heck i love dance music any time i'm at a party, i don't usually have time to get very much into a lot of genres for a deep exploration (though i really should look into the beatles. I'm pathetically uneducated with them.) But idk dance music just always has this one hook that sticks out from the song and sounds quite good :] A little repetitive i suppose, but no one notices it on the dance floor. Its like the structure to the song is BGM, then this little hook slaps you in the face.

Anyway, thanks guys. Really i was just curious if there'd be a way to save me some time.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Dec 07, 2009 02:44 pm

www.flickr.com/photos/xel...9/in/pool-make/

That's probably the type of "automatic double tracking" device that was used in the Beatles stuff. But a little 25-60 ms delay is pretty much the same thing as far as I know...

Capt: Thanks for sharing the bit about doubling being a little thinner sounding and useful in more complex arrangements, I had wondered about doubling vs double tracking situations.

Related Forum Topics:



If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.