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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 28, 2007 9:13:20 GMT -5
On my way home from work last evening, I put on one of the Carpenters Backtrack CD's I purchased last year. It is a very interesting listen, much like the Karaoke tracks, as one hears many things not ordinarily heard as a completed recording. Any of you have any "backtrack" CDs? What happens in a backtrack CD is that "most" of the main vocal part is deleted - it's not nearly like the Karaoke in that the entire lead vocal is gone....only someone with the actual master tapes could do that...however, the guy who did these did a fairly decent job. When you do hear the lead vocal, it is with a great deal of hollow-sounding reverb...very "distant" sort of sound. Sometimes, in his attempt to diminish the lead vocal, other instruments are lowered a lot, as well, and the songs sound really odd, compared to what we're used to hearing. Just curious about anyone elses feedback. Tim  |
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Post by Ming on Apr 5, 2007 10:50:44 GMT -5
Hello Tim, I think it must be a great listen.  Where did you buy it? From ebay? Ming |
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Post by wisejester7 on Apr 5, 2007 13:20:59 GMT -5
On my way home from work last evening, I put on one of the Carpenters Backtrack CD's I purchased last year. It is a very interesting listen, much like the Karaoke tracks, as one hears many things not ordinarily heard as a completed recording. Any of you have any "backtrack" CDs? What happens in a backtrack CD is that "most" of the main vocal part is deleted - it's not nearly like the Karaoke in that the entire lead vocal is gone....only someone with the actual master tapes could do that...however, the guy who did these did a fairly decent job. When you do hear the lead vocal, it is with a great deal of hollow-sounding reverb...very "distant" sort of sound. Sometimes, in his attempt to diminish the lead vocal, other instruments are lowered a lot, as well, and the songs sound really odd, compared to what we're used to hearing. Just curious about anyone elses feedback. Tim Until your posting, I had not heard of the 'backtrack' cd's. They DO sound quite interesting, as per your description. Ming asked, and of course, I'm curious too, did you buy them from ebay or perhaps an actual store? Can you tell us more about the cd's? How many cd's? What tracks? etc. |
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Apr 5, 2007 14:39:00 GMT -5
On my way home from work last evening, I put on one of the Carpenters Backtrack CD's I purchased last year. It is a very interesting listen, much like the Karaoke tracks, as one hears many things not ordinarily heard as a completed recording. Any of you have any "backtrack" CDs? What happens in a backtrack CD is that "most" of the main vocal part is deleted - it's not nearly like the Karaoke in that the entire lead vocal is gone....only someone with the actual master tapes could do that...however, the guy who did these did a fairly decent job. When you do hear the lead vocal, it is with a great deal of hollow-sounding reverb...very "distant" sort of sound. Sometimes, in his attempt to diminish the lead vocal, other instruments are lowered a lot, as well, and the songs sound really odd, compared to what we're used to hearing. Just curious about anyone elses feedback. Tim A friend of mine worked as a DJ at a karaoke bar and he told me that these "backtracks" are created by deleting some of the mid-ranges of the recorded tracks. It operates on the assumption that most people's singing and talking voices fall somewhere within the extreme highs and lows of the audio range that is recorded. This filtering-out process works to different degrees of success depending on the singer, note range of the melody, filtering settings, etc. In the context of a karaoke performance, the residual "hollow" sounds of the lead vocals can provide an audio cue for WHAT and WHEN to sing if the instrumental accompaniment is very different from the main melody, such as in "Superstar." Tim, do you have a personal preference for "backtracks" or the "karaoke" versions? |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 5, 2007 15:56:56 GMT -5
On my way home from work last evening, I put on one of the Carpenters Backtrack CD's I purchased last year. It is a very interesting listen, much like the Karaoke tracks, as one hears many things not ordinarily heard as a completed recording. Any of you have any "backtrack" CDs? What happens in a backtrack CD is that "most" of the main vocal part is deleted - it's not nearly like the Karaoke in that the entire lead vocal is gone....only someone with the actual master tapes could do that...however, the guy who did these did a fairly decent job. When you do hear the lead vocal, it is with a great deal of hollow-sounding reverb...very "distant" sort of sound. Sometimes, in his attempt to diminish the lead vocal, other instruments are lowered a lot, as well, and the songs sound really odd, compared to what we're used to hearing. Just curious about anyone elses feedback. Tim A friend of mine worked as a DJ at a karaoke bar and he told me that these "backtracks" are created by deleting some of the mid-ranges of the recorded tracks. It operates on the assumption that most people's singing and talking voices fall somewhere within the extreme highs and lows of the audio range that is recorded. This filtering-out process works to different degrees of success depending on the singer, note range of the melody, filtering settings, etc. In the context of a karaoke performance, the residual "hollow" sounds of the lead vocals can provide an audio cue for WHAT and WHEN to sing if the instrumental accompaniment is very different from the main melody, such as in "Superstar." Tim, do you have a personal preference for "backtracks" or the "karaoke" versions?  Hi there Ming, Wj7, Dreams ~ I'll see if I can answer your questions~ Ming and wj7, the answer to the Ebay question is both yes and no. Initially, I found this gentleman, Mark Giesler, on EBay. He was selling something of Carpenters that I really wanted....and I think someone ended up getting it for me as a b'day or Christmas gift or something. At any rate, I used to get a monthly update of what was "new" from Mark, but I haven't heard from him in a while. He's a real upstanding fellow, and I've done business with him several times, now. Dreams, to further explain and answer your question - I have two backtracks CD's, and I'm not so sure I'll get any more. They are exactly as you described, except that even though some of the "vocals" - i.e., Karen's or Richard's depending on who was doing the lead - are, shall I say "softened" in the mix - they are still there. AND, the bad part about that is, taking these vocals and lowering them out of the mix can also take out some other integral parts - things like an oboe here, or a string there. On one of the songs, where it's pretty much just vocals, piano and drums, the vocals AND drums are missing. It's a very odd listen from that perspective. On the other hand, there are songs on the CD's that, due to this "softened" treatment of the lead vocals, I am able to "hear" things that I have not heard in the actual complete song before. I'm learning some "secrets" as I am learning about this digital recording - and there are sometimes many things in a song that, unless you have exceptional hearing, or some sort of incredible ultrasensitive equipment, you just won't hear, because it's mixed so well into the overall song. Yet, it's there. THOSE are the kinds of things I hear in these backtracks. Can they be used as Karaoke? Yes, but you'll also hear the lead vocalist, whichever one of the Carpenters it happens to be, and you'll also be able to "hear" what is missing, besides the vocals, as well. Dreams, what is my preference, the backtracks or the Karaoke? BY FAR, the Karaoke wins that one. No question. Hands down, it's incredibly better - because, there are no additional parts missing. Only the vocals, and since Richard himself took out the vocals, as he knew what he was doing, we get the entire remaininng music and backing vocals on the karaoke version. So, definitely, Karaoke. Much, much better. I can give any of you Mark's email address, if you'll just let me know you want it. He will send you a huge list of everything he has available. It's a big list. Take care, everyone! Tim |
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 6, 2007 9:21:31 GMT -5
I have one of the same backtracks discs as Tim has. I'm not so sure that these are official backtracks. I say this only because the disc I have (which is the same as one of Tim's) sounds like it was made by an amateur on their own home computer. It sounds very much like it was done on Nero software.
Regardless, though I do enjoy the disc as it is interesting to hear the music brought to the forefront - though as Tim mentioned some of the other integral parts are missing - things like an oboe here, or a string there, maybe a bit of a guitar part. Which in my mind alters the music just a bit too much to get the full extent of the listening experience. It's almost like eating a Reeses peanut butter cup but without the peanut butter. Although, I will say "This Masquerade" does sound fantastic - the song works extremely well as an instrumental - sheer beauty.
I have made my own backtracks disc (as I have Nero software on my computer) of Karen's solo album - a fun listen - but again many instrumentals parts are gone. "Remember When Lovin' Took All Night" works best as a backtrack.
I think I much prefer the officially released karaoke discs. |
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Post by GoodOldDreams on Apr 6, 2007 16:42:36 GMT -5
What a great metaphor --- having the shell but not the filling. Or an Oreo without the creamy center sandwiched in between the cookies. Still tastes good, but not as satisfying. |
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 13, 2007 20:07:30 GMT -5
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 13, 2007 21:24:08 GMT -5
Yes, it does give you a different listening perspective. I certainly enjoy the backtracks discs I have - just wish all the instruments were present for the entire listening experience.
Tim... you gotta take a listen to "This masquerade" again on the backtracks discs - it is awesome! |
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Where did you buy it? From ebay? 
