DT Studio Albums + Instrumental Versions

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Something I've been curious about y'alls opinion about


I personally don't like when bands do instrumental bonus tracks (i feel like it is a bit disrespectful to the singer and the band's overall vision... why aren't there versions that remove only Drums, or only Guitar, for example?) but curious what everyone else thinks

[Zantera]

No. Never cared for these versions at all and don't really get why they exist both from a band perspective or the fan perspective.

[The Great Ape]

Yes, and also, the acapella version.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't know if there could be a return to the practice of doing this.  It wasn't really a practice.  Didn't they only do it for a couple of albums?

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Jeez Laweez is everyone on DTF a lawyer

s/practice/occasional happenstance

[efx]

I don't feel the instrumental versions add much at all but as a producer/musician I really liked the stems of BCSL as that allowed me to analyze the sounds and tones of each instrument separately. And they were good for anyone wanting to make covers where they then could just mute whatever instrument they didn't want to hear. I thought it was cool they also did that for OTBOA but I wish it was more of a standard practice for them going forward.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

yeah stems are one thing for sure. you can make remixes, etc. as well with those. but i agree that there isn't much value in just cutting out only JLB ( though the Dreamsonic tour thread here made it seem like maybe many people would prefer instrumentals )

[hefdaddy42]

Jeez Laweez is everyone on DTF a lawyer

s/practice/occasional happenstance

Hey, you fucking asked.

[Setlist Scotty]

I voted yes, but with the caveat that they be something more than just without the vocals and possible guitar solos. I would like to see them be different, like maybe different arrangements, additional solos where there were vocals originally, etc. Kinda like what Fates Warning did with At Fates Fingers (vs. the original At Fates Hands). IIRC, Flying Colors did that for some tracks on their third album, too.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Jeez Laweez is everyone on DTF a lawyer

s/practice/occasional happenstance

Hey, you fucking asked.

it would have been perhaps better worded as "Now that MP is back would you like any further DT records to contain an instrumental cuts bonus disc"

EDIT: looks like i am able to edit the poll, fixed

[pg1067]

The only album I'm aware of with an instrumental disc is BC&SL.  While I bought the edition that has that disc (because I wanted the disc of cover songs), I don't think I've ever listened to it (although I did listen to the Wither instrumental on YouTube).  I have virtually zero interest.

Yes, and also, the acapella version.

Now THAT might be fun!

[XJDenton]

Being able to focus on the music sans singing/lyrics is a nice complimentary way to listen to the music. If its a bonus, I have no issue with them.

[nobloodyname]

The only album I'm aware of with an instrumental disc is BC&SL.  While I bought the edition that has that disc (because I wanted the disc of cover songs), I don't think I've ever listened to it (although I did listen to the Wither instrumental on YouTube).  I have virtually zero interest.

A Dramatic Turn of Events had an instrumental disc, too.

[OpenYourEyes311]

They've had instrumental discs for quite a few of their albums now.

Black Clouds & Silver Linings (3CD and Box Set)
A Dramatic Turn of Events (Box Set)
Distance Over Time (Box Set)
A View From the Top of the World (Art Book and Box Set)

They've also had stems released for all of Black Clouds & Silver Linings, Behind the Veil, and Untethered Angel in their respective box sets, and there was an instrumental version of The Enemy Inside on the Japanese version of DT12.


I would probably vote "no" here. I enjoy them very rarely, but I'd rather something else in the way of bonuses. Covers, live stuff, extra bonus songs are all way more exciting than instrumental versions.

[Setlist Scotty]

They've also had stems released for all of Black Clouds & Silver Linings, Behind the Veil, and Untethered Angel in their respective box sets, and there was an instrumental version of The Enemy Inside on the Japanese version of DT12.

Jammit also released stems for all of IaW, Awake, FII, SFaM and 8v which you can find on YT and elsewhere.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

at acapella versions. Imagine every DT song in the vein of Peter Gabriel's "Excuse Me"

[Trav86]

Something I never listen to.

[wolfking]

I don't think I've ever taken the time to listen to any instrumental versions.  Never cared for them, don't understand the need for them.

[TAC]

I don't think I've ever taken the time to listen to any instrumental versions.  Never cared for them, don't understand the need for them.

[TheCountOfNYC]

I’d prefer stems, so my friends and I could better learn the songs.

[Ben_Jamin]

Unless they're either an acoustic or EDM remix then count me out.

[porcacultor]

Nah, the instrumentals aren't my thing. The stems are great fun, though.

[hefdaddy42]

I don't want any of this stuff.  I mean, if they include it, whatever, but I don't care about instrumental versions of lyrical songs, nor do I care about stems.

If there is bonus audio content, my preference would be for extra songs, or an interview, or something additional.

[ZirconBlue]

I have no interest in instrumental versions, but I can see why bands do them: They require very little work or expense to provide a whole album's worth of "extras" to a box set. 

[bosk1]

No real preference.  Where I have instrumental versions of songs, they rarely get listened to more than once or twice.  But that one or two listens, it's cool to hear nuances in the instrumentation that I wouldn't otherwise notice.  And they can be fun to sing over if I want to record vocals.  But other than that, they aren't something I listen to.  But I have never seen their inclusion as a slight to the vocalist.  That's just a strange mindset.

[JiM-Xtreme]

In an ideal world, stems but appreciate anything that makes the backing tracks easier to study and analyse in obsessive detail!

[The Great Zo]

A little surprised to be in the minority on this one, but I love getting the instrumental mixes alongside the regular version. I might only listen to the instrumental version 2 or 3 times, but sometimes there's some really cool stuff going on under the vocals that you can't really make out in the normal release. Just helps me understand what's going on with the music a little better.

Virus by Haken is an album I don't really love, but a couple listens to the instrumental version greatly improved my appreciation of it.

[Jamesman42]

A little surprised to be in the minority on this one, but I love getting the instrumental mixes alongside the regular version. I might only listen to the instrumental version 2 or 3 times, but sometimes there's some really cool stuff going on under the vocals that you can't really make out in the normal release. Just helps me understand what's going on with the music a little better.

This exactly. Yeah, they won't get listened to as often at all, but they are a cool listen every once in a while.

Also, don't be surprised that a bunch of prog nerds are dissecting/lawyering your posts, OP.

[Cool Chris]

The only song I have ever appreciated the instrumental version of, and listen to quite a lot, is The Beach Boys' Sloop John B. It's a Mt Rushmore level song for me, and I thoroughly enjoy both the instrumental version and the vocals only version. I wouldn't have thought I needed those in my life, but when I heard them, I absolutely did. Maybe the same could be said for other songs, but I can't say I've ever consciously wanted an instrumental version of any other song.

[Sycsa]

Apple music had this karaoke function for a while now (Spotify too, probably), where you can adjust the level of the vocals and even remove them completely. I'm not sure what the tech is, but it works for a whole bunch of albums, old & new. Just checked a few DT albums (the last three, I&W and Awake) and it works for all of them. So releasing instrumental versions seems to be moot, we'll get them anyway.

[pg1067]

I don't think I've ever taken the time to listen to any instrumental versions.  Never cared for them, don't understand the need for them.

Dream

Theater

KARAOKE!!!

[Dedalus]

I don't think I've ever taken the time to listen to any instrumental versions.  Never cared for them, don't understand the need for them.

Dream

Theater

KARAOKE!!!

I think I'll try Innocence Faded, for an easy start. 

[Mr.Mister]

While interesting I do have to say I rarely listen to instrumental only versions. For me, vocals are another instrument and removing them removes from the experience.

What I'd LOVE for DT to do is include mastered jam sessions. To this day I wish Take This For The Pain was on Spotify. I listen to this jam way more than I like to admit. LTE did it and those songs were fire too.