Donald Fagen: Morph The Cat!

[Squids]

Hey Dave! Can you tell that weird organ sound on "What I do" is? I am sure I came across it in SS2 at one time but of course I can't find it now.

Cheers,
Gordon

Next time I get the chance to sit down and listen I will see if I can pick it out.

Roger Nichols actually uses Sonik Synth 2 and SampleTank. But I noticed he didn't work on this record. I am not sure if Donald has gone virtual yet or not. I know he still uses his Rhodes (and rightfully so!) and I wouldn't be surprised if the organ was a Hammond B3. Unfortunately sometimes he uses a DX organ which I really don't like. He stopped using those I think. He also uses a Kurzweil K2000 (or did) and perhaps still uses a Prophet 5 (still a great synth to have and use... I have one!).

[Beardedone]

Thanks Dave. I am not sure but I think the sound I am hearing may be a B3 though some kind of flanger/chorus thingy.

Cheers,
Gordon

[Squids]

I think you're right Gordon. By the way, the album grows on you. It's pretty good! One of the best ones in a while from him. Also, did you hear that Steely is touring again but this time with the Pretzel Logic line up or something like that? That was unexpected. I thought he'd do a solo tour. Strange, but happy to see it!

[geekboy]

In a recent interview, Donald said he can't stand synths for the most part. He said synths are almost always out of tune. I believe he said they were flat on the top and and sharp on the bottom. He likes Wurlys and Rhodes, etc. Of modern music, he said it doesn't groove and it's out of tune.

[Squids]

In a recent interview, Donald said he can't stand synths for the most part. He said synths are almost always out of tune. I believe he said they were flat on the top and and sharp on the bottom. He likes Wurlys and Rhodes, etc. Of modern music, he said it doesn't groove and it's out of tune.

Yeah, but he's talking about older analog synths like Moogs or Prophets. (well at LEAST the Prophet 5 which you had to hit a tune button every once in a while to remind itself to be in tune).

Anyway, I am happy to hear him stick to B3, Rhodes, Wurly and acoustic instruments. If you are going to use modern keys, samplers, synths etc. and you are doing that kind of music you have to put the effort in to make it sound unique or authentic. I really don't like hearing old school players just throw up a Kurzweil preset and just start playing it like they would an organic instrument from the previous decade. It isn't as easy as that to get a good result. The "rules" are different. A Rhodes has its own rules and almost anything you do on a real one sounds at LEAST "authentic" (in fact, even the "flubs" are welcome these days because it just sounds "played"). But, with samples you have to know where it fits and where it doesn't. The benefits of them is convenience, variety of timbres and all kinds of production options. The downfall is that it isn't as "bullet proof". You can't just replace a Rhodes with a DX Rhodes and get the same "vibe". Hard to explain. But, if you compare this album with Karmakiriad then there's a big difference in warmth and vibe that says it all. (ie. on Karmakiriad he used K2000 and DX7 on a lot of it).

[Holistic Ska Guy]

In a recent interview, Donald said he can't stand synths for the most part. He said synths are almost always out of tune. I believe he said they were flat on the top and and sharp on the bottom. He likes Wurlys and Rhodes, etc. Of modern music, he said it doesn't groove and it's out of tune.

I love Donald, but it sounds like hearing damage. I suffer from it because of sitting next to a loud CPU cooler for three years. This not a joke. Anyway his passion for e-pianos shows he is still one of the coolest men in the biz.

your HSG

[Beardedone]

Any takers any what that sound is on "What I do"?

[dufus]

that's no organ.. it's a guitar played thru a Leslie cabinet.. actually it sounds like a pedal of some sort.. i.e. an emulation.. might be an old Fender Virbatone, but it sounds a little too bright for that...

[Beardedone]

that's no organ.. it's a guitar played thru a Leslie cabinet.. actually it sounds like a pedal of some sort.. i.e. an emulation.. might be an old Fender Virbatone, but it sounds a little too bright for that...

Thanks man! Very cool sound.

Cheers,
Gordon

[Beardedone]

Another dumb question. Does anyone know how to get the effected wah-wah solo guitar sound Wayne Kratz got in Brite Nightgown in AT2? I am still out of my depth with this plugin having never used most of the hardware it emulates so well.

Best Regards,
Gordon

[Beardedone]

Nobody? I am still trying to go by trial any error and I'm not getting even close.

[Beardedone]

I just a spent a futile hour and a half and got nothing even close. Does anyone know about the setup Wanyne Krantz was using or help me derive a suitable configuration in AT2 that sounds reasonbly close? Isn't there someone around here who is familiar with this plugin who can provide an answer?

Sincerely,
Gordon

[Beardedone]

No help for the sound design challenged here I suppose. Thanks alot!

[AndrewSimon]

that's no organ.. it's a guitar played thru a Leslie cabinet.. actually it sounds like a pedal of some sort.. i.e. an emulation.. might be an old Fender Virbatone, but it sounds a little too bright for that...

Thanks man! Very cool sound.

Cheers,
Gordon

Hey Gordon

I don't remember if you have the UAD card but on the Roland CE-1 chorus there is a setting called "Old Synth Lush Vibrato" that sound almost the same.
I have used it in a piece last week (starts at 00:56)

http://www.andras-shimon.com/MUSIC/Watto.mp3

[Squids]

There's also a CE-1 in AmpliTube 2 (my CE-1 actually that I sent to Italy.... would be nice to have it back too! haha)