Deconstructing DT Vocals v. Lines In The Sand

[TheGreatPretender]

Yeah, mainly I shared them for that whispering part. It just captivated me how haunting it is.

[Mosh]

These are pretty cool, my favorite so far is The Silent Man. 

Question: In Lie, I read the word lie in the liner notes in parentheses, and have read about it being whispered very low in the mix. No matter how hard I try, I can't hear it at all. Is it in the isolated vocal tracks?

[TheGreatPretender]

Unfortunately not. I could never hear them either, but if they ARE in the song, then they definitely weren't included into either the main vocal mix, nor the backup vocal mix. And I couldn't hear it in the instrumental mix either, so I dunno.

[TheGreatPretender]

Hey guys. I've been away a while.

Here are some vocals from Octavarium. It's mainly the backup vocals, including some interesting (and weirdly autotuned it seems) harmonies. But my favorite part is the Intervals section, definitely. JLB's screams are very cool and interesting. And the whispers were something I never heard either.

[BlobVanDam]

Nothing in there I hadn't heard before, but I like hearing it isolated.
JLB's earlier screams sound really weird, like an old homeless lady yelling at you for walking too close to her box home.

In Full Circle, I was never fully sure whether there was that octave vocal harmony, or whether the organ patch just blended with it to create the aural illusion of an octave overtone. It's nice to have that confirmed.

[fischermasamune]

Very nice to hear the isolated backing vocals for Octavarium! A lot of things that could go unheard. Thanks much!

[MirzekDT]

These are pretty cool, my favorite so far is The Silent Man. 

Question: In Lie, I read the word lie in the liner notes in parentheses, and have read about it being whispered very low in the mix. No matter how hard I try, I can't hear it at all. Is it in the isolated vocal tracks?

It's not so hard to hear them maybe your problem was that you was searching for them in wrong chorus. I hear them clearly but only in the last chorus. (BTW I also didn't hear them for a long time but one day I was listening to Lie in train and was really concentrating on the rhythm and suddenly the Did and Lie parts jumped out from mix on me so clearly).

After first part of the chorus (I won't) you can hear it eight times like this: DID(L) did(R) DID(L) did(R) DID(L) did(R) DID(L) did(R). (L) means left speaker, (R) means right speaker and case means volume (secondary "did" in between each main "did" is much less audible but it's there)

And then after second part of the chorus (I'll try) you can hear "lie" sixteen times like this: LIE(L) lie(R) LIE(L) lie(R) LIE(L) lie(R) LIE(L) lie(R) LIE(L) lie(R) LIE(L) lie(R) LIE(L) lie(R) LIE(L) lie(R)

The "Lie" part is a bit less audible than "Did" part, but the "DID" in the left speaker is relatively loud and very easy to hear when you concentrate and you don't mistake it with drums or some effects (it sounds like voice but it is used rhythmically not melodically).

[Rodni Demental]

I have to say, I think the extra words are really cool as it puts an entirely different spin on the very context and meaning of the lyrics. I want to hear it but I unfortunately must remain a skeptic until I can... But I really can't hear it though. I'm trying to listen right now with the studio version of Lie from Awake with headphones and listened very carefully, but I'm just being blasted by the guitar riff after the lyric that it's supposed to come after. Honestly can't hear a thing.   

Although to the topic creator, it's fascinating hearing these isolated vocals. I'd love to hear more. 

[MirzekDT]

I have to say, I think the extra words are really cool as it puts an entirely different spin on the very context and meaning of the lyrics. I want to hear it but I unfortunately must remain a skeptic until I can... But I really can't hear it though. I'm trying to listen right now with the studio version of Lie from Awake with headphones and listened very carefully, but I'm just being blasted by the guitar riff after the lyric that it's supposed to come after. Honestly can't hear a thing.   

I made this video to help you or anyone else interested to hear those words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECYwNMf9PQQ&feature=youtu.be

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

OMG I just discovered this. Awesome. I love hearing unheard stuff 

[YtseJamittaja]

I have to say, I think the extra words are really cool as it puts an entirely different spin on the very context and meaning of the lyrics. I want to hear it but I unfortunately must remain a skeptic until I can... But I really can't hear it though. I'm trying to listen right now with the studio version of Lie from Awake with headphones and listened very carefully, but I'm just being blasted by the guitar riff after the lyric that it's supposed to come after. Honestly can't hear a thing.   

I made this video to help you or anyone else interested to hear those words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECYwNMf9PQQ&feature=youtu.be

Thanks, that's first time I noticed that. Sounds really much like KevMo for me!

[Lynxo]

JLB's earlier screams sound really weird, like an old homeless lady yelling at you for walking too close to her box home.

OMG, so this.  Especially the second part. And hearing the whispers after that made me laugh really hard.

[TheGreatPretender]

I wonder what the direction was when he was in the recording booth for that.
MP: "Okay, James. Pretend like you're a 75 year old widow, you have 20 cats, and a bunch of annoying kids just accidentally hit your window with a soccer ball. Aaand go!"

[Rodni Demental]

I have to say, I think the extra words are really cool as it puts an entirely different spin on the very context and meaning of the lyrics. I want to hear it but I unfortunately must remain a skeptic until I can... But I really can't hear it though. I'm trying to listen right now with the studio version of Lie from Awake with headphones and listened very carefully, but I'm just being blasted by the guitar riff after the lyric that it's supposed to come after. Honestly can't hear a thing.   

I made this video to help you or anyone else interested to hear those words

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECYwNMf9PQQ&feature=youtu.be

Wow thank you. I can actually hear it! Or I can imagine it because of the visual prompts. 

Seriously though, it's far too low in the mix, too quiet. I like cool little extra subtle bits like this, but when it's just completely buried completely, the idea's almost wasted. Thanks for taking the time to make the video though.

[erwinrafael]

These are pretty cool, my favorite so far is The Silent Man. 

Question: In Lie, I read the word lie in the liner notes in parentheses, and have read about it being whispered very low in the mix. No matter how hard I try, I can't hear it at all. Is it in the isolated vocal tracks?

Isn't that the voice you hear in the left speaker after the last chorus just before the instrumental, around 4:47 to 4:57? It's very low but you can hear somebody saying something. I am just not sure if he is saying "lie"

EDIT: Oh my, I hear it now! It's very audible in the last chorus, left speaker. After "I won't, I swear I won't" you will hear "Did Did Did Did" every third beat. Then after "I'll try, I swear I'll try" you will hear "Lie Lie Lie Lie Lie Lie Lie Lie" every third beat. Woohoo!

SECOND EDIT: So somebody actually already posted an explanation above. LOL. Anyway, I have been hearing the Lie whisper for years. It's the DID that I just heard now.

[adamack]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7sXuCMYLhpZczlXNmFNcjZIWnM/edit?usp=sharing

Here are some various backup vocals from home.
The first is the perfect example of what I didn't like about MP's vocals. Just such a whiny tone to his clean notes.

I know what you mean about his whiny quality. It can be cringing by itself.

The thing is though, that is the magic of background vocals.

In many cases, background harmonies can favor people with otherwise irritating, or less-than-pleasant voices.

The whiny quality blends behind JLB's vocals in a way which creates an awesome harmony.

In other words, it's not uncommon create a better sounding harmony with one person who has an irritating voice, and another with a beautiful voice, than you can with 2 people with beautiful voices.

[Sourcegamer101]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7sXuCMYLhpZczlXNmFNcjZIWnM/edit?usp=sharing

Here are some various backup vocals from home.
The first is the perfect example of what I didn't like about MP's vocals. Just such a whiny tone to his clean notes.

I know what you mean about his whiny quality. It can be cringing by itself.

The thing is though, that is the magic of background vocals.

In many cases, background harmonies can favor people with otherwise irritating, or less-than-pleasant voices.

The whiny quality blends behind JLB's vocals in a way which creates an awesome harmony.

In other words, it's not uncommon create a better sounding harmony with one person who has an irritating voice, and another with a beautiful voice, than you can with 2 people with beautiful voices.

speaking of which, here's the backing vocals for one last time

https://www.mediafire.com/download/918r85tla2ya8a4/backupvocals.mp3

I really love the FADE AWAAAAAAAY bit in the song, so many portnoys at once

edit: I don't know why the audio quality is so poopy when clicking 'Listen'

this is a stereo 320kbps mp3

[Rodni Demental]

^^^ Hmm, I'm confused. Is there some Petrucci in there or is it all Portnoy? Sounds completely awesome though. I do miss Mike's harmonies, really enjoyed them in Black Clouds & Silver Linings, that album is just full of layered harmonies. (Not as keen on when he took lead, but it's not as bad as some would make it out to be ).

[YtseJamittaja]

Hey guys. I've been away a while.

Here are some vocals from Octavarium. It's mainly the backup vocals, including some interesting (and weirdly autotuned it seems) harmonies. But my favorite part is the Intervals section, definitely. JLB's screams are very cool and interesting. And the whispers were something I never heard either.

Who is whispering in the "trapped inside this Octavarium" part? I can't recognize him.

[BlobVanDam]

Hey guys. I've been away a while.

Here are some vocals from Octavarium. It's mainly the backup vocals, including some interesting (and weirdly autotuned it seems) harmonies. But my favorite part is the Intervals section, definitely. JLB's screams are very cool and interesting. And the whispers were something I never heard either.

Who is whispering in the "trapped inside this Octavarium" part? I can't recognize him.

It's definitely MP.

[ZKX-2099]

This thread is gold. 

[YtseJamittaja]

Hey guys. I've been away a while.

Here are some vocals from Octavarium. It's mainly the backup vocals, including some interesting (and weirdly autotuned it seems) harmonies. But my favorite part is the Intervals section, definitely. JLB's screams are very cool and interesting. And the whispers were something I never heard either.

Who is whispering in the "trapped inside this Octavarium" part? I can't recognize him.

It's definitely MP.

Now when you mentioned it, you're right. It's

This thread is gold. 

Agreed!!!

[TheGreatPretender]

This thread is gold. 

Thanks! Always happy to contribute! Considering that DT fans transcribe screenshots of computers into musical compositions just to hear new snippet's of DT music, it's obvious that the fans are passionate enough to be interested in hearing a new perspective on certain musical bits of the classic songs as well.

[TheGreatPretender]

All right, next up, Learning To Live.

I included all of the epicly majestic backup vocals into this one, but also a few of the lead vocals as well, just to see how they contrast.

There was a whole humming section in it that I could never hear in the original, so I included an instrumental lead-in for it to show where it's supposed to be for those who aren't sure. Also, that section I split into 3 parts: Backup part, Lead part and combined harmonics. So really, the humming only happens four times, but because I'm showcasing the different sections, you'll hear it 12 times.

Same goes for the F#, I included the backup, the lead, and the combined harmony

Enjoy!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7sXuCMYLhpZTERLQzB1QS1VZWs/view?usp=sharing

[krands85]

Nice! LTL is my favourite song, so it was extra cool to hear this one, thanks!

Can you hear the humming section in the original now you know it's there? It's always seemed pretty audible to me, though I have listened to the song several hundred times 

[JayOctavarium]

I'm digging that last section (after the F#)

[Rodni Demental]

Not sure if I've even noticed that humming before! If I have, I probably thought it was part of the keyboard patch of something. Very cool.

I'm curious, the L2L section you posted reminded me. Are the "Woooooooa, ooooooh, hhooo" bits there at the start of Metropolis before the vocals start? (about 1:41) Like how they come through on the demo version, I swear I remember someone saying they're still there, just mixed really low. But I don't hear any vocals in Metropolis until "The smile of Dawn".

[BlobVanDam]

I've always noticed the humming bit, and thought it was pretty obvious, although I never noticed there was also a lower harmony to it too. I only recall hearing the higher lead humming line.

[TheGreatPretender]

Not sure if I've even noticed that humming before! If I have, I probably thought it was part of the keyboard patch of something. Very cool.

Yeah, exactly, I always just thought that's what it was too, so it kind of blended into the keyboards for me. I never realized that it was James.

I'm curious, the L2L section you posted reminded me. Are the "Woooooooa, ooooooh, hhooo" bits there at the start of Metropolis before the vocals start? (about 1:41) Like how they come through on the demo version, I swear I remember someone saying they're still there, just mixed really low. But I don't hear any vocals in Metropolis until "The smile of Dawn".

No, there's nothing at the start of Metropolis, before the lyrics. Although there are some things that the people at Jammit might not bother isolating, and just mix right into the instrumental (such as the Did and Lie), so that's not to say that it isn't true. There are a couple of background vocal parts in Hollow Years that got mixed into the instrumental. And oddly enough, for some reason, "This is not reality" in Voices did too, even though the rest of the spoken word part was isolated. So you never know.

[noxon]

From facebook right now:

James Labrie
3 mins ·

Hey Everyone,

Hope you're all doing well. Played at Loudpark Festival last night and it was a great gig despite me having to contend with Strep throat. As a professional you have to accept the fact that sometimes the show must go on.
Anyway, noticed on DreamTheater Forum that Great Pretender has the vocal stems for that album and has mentioned that some others are doing back ground vocals. The fact is I did 99% of the BGV with a very select few being done by John Purdell. Hope this sheds some light on that subject. I haven't even heard those stems GP, I envy you. Anyway, take care everyone and see you out there.


James Labrie
2 mins ·

The album I was referring to was the Awake album. Have to check some of those out.

[JayOctavarium]

Came to post that

[BlobVanDam]

He acknowledged us lowly folks!

I hope JLB's feeling better in time for the 30th for the Sydney show!

[Zook]

Someone actually down voted that video. My guess is Kevin Moore wanted to keep that a secret.

[TheGreatPretender]

From facebook right now:

James Labrie
3 mins ·

Hey Everyone,

Hope you're all doing well. Played at Loudpark Festival last night and it was a great gig despite me having to contend with Strep throat. As a professional you have to accept the fact that sometimes the show must go on.
Anyway, noticed on DreamTheater Forum that Great Pretender has the vocal stems for that album and has mentioned that some others are doing back ground vocals. The fact is I did 99% of the BGV with a very select few being done by John Purdell. Hope this sheds some light on that subject. I haven't even heard those stems GP, I envy you. Anyway, take care everyone and see you out there.


James Labrie
2 mins ·

The album I was referring to was the Awake album. Have to check some of those out.

Holy crap. That just blew my mind!

[Madman Shepherd]

Dude, I just saw that!   

We have got a lurker here, eh?


Anyway GP, even though I haven't commented on this thread in a while (I dont have much to add) I just want to say that I still love hearing these stems.  Of course, praise from me pales in comparison to the praise you just got.