Do You Think Mike Will Ever?

[ZBomber]

Yeah, but that's what autotune is for.  We aren't talking about pitch.  We're talking about tone and depth.

I don't even know how to respond to this. Wasn't the Wither demo enough to show that autotune doesn't belong in DT?

[rumborak]

I think one would have to be a bit blue-eyed to think MP's vocals have not received a copious amount of autotune and other goodies.

rumborak

[CountVoorhees]

Do you think Mike will ever use those KrotchRaut stickers?

No.

[ZBomber]

I think one would have to be a bit blue-eyed to think MP's vocals have not received a copious amount of autotune and other goodies.

rumborak

Maybe, I'm sure a lot of them do, but JP's need for autotune makes it really obvious when it is used. Really obvious, and thus hard for me to listen to, personally.

[SystematicThought]

No, I hope after Black Clouds, he steers clear of any sort of vocal unless it's like Octavarium where you can barely hear him say Root, Second, Third etc. etc.

It always kind of disappointed me to hear him attempt growls as it feels unnecessary to their music and sadly feels like he is just trying to fit in with modern metal that I can hear on the radio.

[Adami]

No, I hope after Black Clouds, he steers clear of any sort of vocal unless it's like Octavarium where you can barely hear him say Root, Second, Third etc. etc.

It always kind of disappointed me to hear him attempt growls as it feels unnecessary to their music and sadly feels like he is just trying to fit in with modern metal that I can hear on the radio.

I think the main problem is that he isn't growling. He is just talking really gruffy, he sounds like a mad old person. If he actually growled or screamed like a pro, we might not have such a problem with it. But like any bad vocalist, it's not wanted.

[SystematicThought]

I think the main problem is that he isn't growling. He is just talking really gruffy, he sounds like a mad old person. If he actually growled or screamed like a pro, we might not have such a problem with it. But like any bad vocalist, it's not wanted.

Yeah, I guess he isn't really growling.

Did you ever hear any of the other vocal takes for A Nightmare to Remember over on MP's forum? There were three alternate takes of the "growls', one had a full on strain in his voice where it sounded like a burp at the end. The other take that I can remember was the version we hear on the album with JLB singing over it. I actually preferred that version better, but MP said it didn't fit...

[robwebster]

I think one would have to be a bit blue-eyed to think MP's vocals have not received a copious amount of autotune and other goodies.

rumborak

Maybe, I'm sure a lot of them do, but JP's need for autotune makes it really obvious when it is used. Really obvious, and thus hard for me to listen to, personally.

I think it was more because it was just a demo, and they cared more about quickly putting together an accurate template than about how the end result sounded. It was made to be functional.

The Silent Man Live from Noo Yoik, I Walk Beside You album version are the first two I can think of with fairly prominent Petrucci vocals, but he adds a fair bit.

[perfey]

Not a album track, but on a B-side or demo it would be ok, for me anyway.

[wolfking]

Having been a vocalist for 25 years, I was surprised and impressed with Mikes vocal work on the recent Transatlantic album. I never thought he was a bad vocalist, but his vocal tone and control of his voice on that record was really good. Does anyone think Mike might ever sing a track on a Dream Theater album?

I hope not, but the way it's going, it's not impossible.

[pogoowner]

I think one would have to be a bit blue-eyed to think MP's vocals have not received a copious amount of autotune and other goodies.

rumborak

Yup. The Wither demo was just slapped together quickly to get the idea across. If JP spent time recording in the studio, he'd obviously sound better with more takes, and the production/effects used would sound better as well.

I may be in the minority, but aside from the pitch issues, I actually preferred JP's vocals on Wither to JLB's. His voice just fits better.

[ZBomber]

I think one would have to be a bit blue-eyed to think MP's vocals have not received a copious amount of autotune and other goodies.

rumborak

Yup. The Wither demo was just slapped together quickly to get the idea across. If JP spent time recording in the studio, he'd obviously sound better with more takes, and the production/effects used would sound better as well.

I may be in the minority, but aside from the pitch issues, I actually preferred JP's vocals on Wither to JLB's. His voice just fits better.

Even in studio, every video I've seen of JP he is really struggling to sing in tune. Kind of a cop out to use autotune in my opinion, if you can't do a good job without it...

But to each their own.

[ClairvoyantCat]

I think one would have to be a bit blue-eyed to think MP's vocals have not received a copious amount of autotune and other goodies.

rumborak

Yup. The Wither demo was just slapped together quickly to get the idea across. If JP spent time recording in the studio, he'd obviously sound better with more takes, and the production/effects used would sound better as well.

I may be in the minority, but aside from the pitch issues, I actually preferred JP's vocals on Wither to JLB's. His voice just fits better.

Even in studio, every video I've seen of JP he is really struggling to sing in tune. Kind of a cop out to use autotune in my opinion, if you can't do a good job without it...

But to each their own.

I think Petrucci doesn't consider himself a vocalist, or that's the impression he sends, like... he'll do harmonies when asked.  Mike, on the other hand, seems to consider himself a good vocalist, considering he's doing more vocal roles, and I always thought him to have a completely colorless tone, not to mention other singing attributes...

As for the question.... I really hope not.  First off that JLB is getting pushed aside enough that it is.  Second off that.... no.   If Mike started singing studio lead vocals (although I wouldn't put it past him) I would not blame Labrie for wanting to quit. 

[Adami]

I think one would have to be a bit blue-eyed to think MP's vocals have not received a copious amount of autotune and other goodies.

rumborak

Yup. The Wither demo was just slapped together quickly to get the idea across. If JP spent time recording in the studio, he'd obviously sound better with more takes, and the production/effects used would sound better as well.

I may be in the minority, but aside from the pitch issues, I actually preferred JP's vocals on Wither to JLB's. His voice just fits better.

Even in studio, every video I've seen of JP he is really struggling to sing in tune. Kind of a cop out to use autotune in my opinion, if you can't do a good job without it...

But to each their own.

If he is singing on a release, then yes it's a cop out to OVERLY use autotune (you'd be surprised by how many singers use a little bit of autotune all the time, no one notices). But he was getting it together to show JLB, they just happened to release it for some reason as a single. But if I were a singer (and I'm not), and someone handed me a demo that was horribly sung, it wouldn't help me much. I'd much rather them autotune the hell out of their voice so I know what notes to hit.

[The Letter M]

I'd say... only for a cover, like he did with Transatlantic and their cover of "A Salty Dog". There may be a song the band would like to cover, either live or in the studio, that might suit Mike's voice more than James', but I'm not sure what song(s) the band would cover that would make for a good vocal for Mike...

-Marc.

[ZBomber]

I think Petrucci doesn't consider himself a vocalist, or that's the impression he sends, like... he'll do harmonies when asked.  Mike, on the other hand, seems to consider himself a good vocalist, considering he's doing more vocal roles, and I always thought him to have a completely colorless tone, not to mention other singing attributes...

If he is singing on a release, then yes it's a cop out to OVERLY use autotune (you'd be surprised by how many singers use a little bit of autotune all the time, no one notices). But he was getting it together to show JLB, they just happened to release it for some reason as a single. But if I were a singer (and I'm not), and someone handed me a demo that was horribly sung, it wouldn't help me much. I'd much rather them autotune the hell out of their voice so I know what notes to hit.

Well, this is pretty much what I was saying. I don't have a problem with the Wither demo because it was just that... a demo. It wasn't even going to be released, and its barely an official release (but if it was released on an official album, then I wouldn't be too happy). But, JP isn't a vocalist, and he does need autotune... so why would he sing on a track with just him and JLB singing? Like Adami said, a lot of vocalists use autotune, but it is to tweak very minor things.... JP would need so much that it would be noticeable that there is autotune on it.

Autotune isn't really the problem, it's overusing it to cover up lack of ability to sing in tune.

[Adami]

I think Petrucci doesn't consider himself a vocalist, or that's the impression he sends, like... he'll do harmonies when asked.  Mike, on the other hand, seems to consider himself a good vocalist, considering he's doing more vocal roles, and I always thought him to have a completely colorless tone, not to mention other singing attributes...

If he is singing on a release, then yes it's a cop out to OVERLY use autotune (you'd be surprised by how many singers use a little bit of autotune all the time, no one notices). But he was getting it together to show JLB, they just happened to release it for some reason as a single. But if I were a singer (and I'm not), and someone handed me a demo that was horribly sung, it wouldn't help me much. I'd much rather them autotune the hell out of their voice so I know what notes to hit.

Well, this is pretty much what I was saying. I don't have a problem with the Wither demo because it was just that... a demo. It wasn't even going to be released, and its barely an official release (but if it was released on an official album, then I wouldn't be too happy). But, JP isn't a vocalist, and he does need autotune... so why would he sing on a track with just him and JLB singing? Like Adami said, a lot of vocalists use autotune, but it is to tweak very minor things.... JP would need so much that it would be noticeable that there is autotune on it.

Autotune isn't really the problem, it's overusing it to cover up lack of ability to sing in tune.

And click tracks.

[Chagny]

I can shamelessly say that I like his vocals on PoW.

[Adami]

I can shamelessly say that I like his vocals on PoW.

They work there I guess. His rap is fine too, dunno why everyone hates it so much.

[Zook]

Because it's corny as fuck.

[Chagny]

Because it's corny as fuck.

I'm glad they put that in there. Otherwise the whole song (and maybe the album, if other pieces were taken out) would've been "we are serious metuhl lolsz"

[robwebster]

Songs about vampires and pharaohs and people coming back from the dead to fight good and evil... while I do agree that I'm glad that the album's not too serious, I don't think the rap's the keystone.

[tri.ad]

Realistically, I think that MP will take over more and more vocal parts, eventually resulting in him singing the lead vocals in a song (that he wrote the lyrics for, of course).


I already dread that moment, to be honest. MP's voice doesn't have the range nor the tone nor the depth of a lead vocalist's. He's a decent backing vocalist, but that's all.

[OperantChamber]

I'm hoping for one full blown death metal growl to fall out of nowhere.

 

[BRGM]

I'm hoping for one full blown death metal growl to fall out of nowhere.

 

And something like in "Set us free"

[Zook]

If they want full blown death growls, I hope they get a guest singer because Mike's 'mean' voice is cheesy. But I really hope they just don't use them at all.

[energythief]

God, I hope not.

+ infinity

[ReaperKK]

I don't like MP's vocals personally, so I'd be happy with the way things are now.

[Nic35]

I think he did a pretty good job on The Whirlwind, especially in Overture and in Out Of The Night. I would much rather love to see him sing like that in the next album than songs like in Constant Motion/ANTR.

[BRGM]

And the Set us Free Chorus is awesome! Gives me chills!

[antigoon]

It would be my nightmare come true.

[MetalManiac666]

God, I hope not.

[Dream Team]

I don't like MP's vocals personally, so I'd be happy with the way things are now.

Correction, I'd be happy with the way it used to be (nugget) where you never heard him (as in the first 3 albums with the exception of The Mirror, where his vocals were used sparingly and effectively)

[Samsara]

Only backing vocals and the lame-o cookie monster vocals they will inevitably include on future albums. Otherwise, no.

Personally, I think the latter is way too much anyway. Backing vocals...I am ok with, but MP should let James do what he does. I wouldn't mind having James do all the vocal work on the records.

[SnakeEyes]

Didn't Portnoy sing the entire first verse of The Glass Prison?  As for cookie monster vocals - it's funny because there are some bands that I don't mind it with.  DT is not one of those bands.  The reason, I think, is because it seems contrived.  DT has been known to "try" to sound like certain styles and, I'm sorry, but you really can't "try" to do that whole cookie monster thing.  Either you're a heavy, pissed off band that really means that angry stuff or.... you're not.  Hearing LaBrie trying to sound pissed off and badass is just goofy.