Vocal Effect

[Hartroc]

Ok, this might sound odd, but I'm convinced I'm right.

The first time I heard the studio version of Major Minus, it seemed very obvious to me that the vocal effect on Chris's (and Will's?) voice on this song was meant to replicate one's voice over a telephone. Think about it. The narrator is calling someone up to warn them that "they" are watching him/her. Personally, I am of the opinion that Major Minus is not about the media, I think it's more in the vein of the unreleased songs Charlie Brown and Hurts Like Heaven in that it fits into this theme of literal rebellion (graffiti, riots). In this one, they are simply being watched closely by the opposition, and they have to watch out for each other (got one eye on the road and one on you).

Just my two cents. Sorry if that doesn't make sense. < RHYME! :smug: I realize that Coldplay generally don't think stuff through this way, but I've felt this ever since the first time I heard the song.

Anyway, I love the vocal effects. :)

[coldplaykb]

Never thought of it like that, but makes sense. It does sound like its through a telephone or something. Thanks for sharing ;)

[Phoebeo]

This makes great sense. :wacko:

[Hartroc]

You're welcome! Glad someone else sort of sees it.

Maybe I'm NOT crazy after all. :uhoh:

[Major_Love]

You are right in all points... I love the vocals because they fit perfectly into the topics of MM.

[ColdplayingfromKansas]

That's interesting theory . . . I hadn't thought of it like that before--I always just assumed that they gave the vocals that icy edge to carry across the sense of paranoia that's present in the song. I like it, though! :D

[86Timewarp]

GENIUS!

[Juanma]

its true

[Coldplayer1317]

I like the effect, makes the song more into that UFO - space - mars era, like the alien effects at the end, THEY ARE BRILLIANT, oh and moving to mars gots more effects, specialy at the end of the song!!!! loving these effects in all the songs, NEW ERA = EPIC SPACE JURNEY

[NXTManiac]

I always looked at it as though Chris was singing into a megaphone to a large group of people. It has that distorted megaphone sound, I think. I know some people aren't a fan of the effect, but I think it's very effective for this song!

[Major_Love]

Really, this effect is beautiful because it supports that powerfull intro and character of the song. So, the whole song seems so ENERGY-RICH!

[SamH]

I like the effect. I think it creates a sense of paranoia and really adds meaning to the lyrics.

[icedude2010]

Agreed to all of the above. Originally I thought it may be sung TO the media (not about), and would be an interesting flipping of the tables. But the line "It's just us against the world" leads me to believe that it is more of a warning to comrades that they must stay on guard against the opposition (which could still be the media, it's about whatever you want hehe)

[elixeter]

It's called Autotune, doofus. And it's skank. I'm sure they didn't have any depth reason to use it apart from they though lt it sounded good, when it ruins his voice. They need to fire their producer, he's totally fucked these songs

[Steph589]

Well, if Hartroc is right, I may justify the distortion of such an amazing voice as it would be a way to convey a meaning and not just a vocal effect.

[hux90]

It's called Autotune, doofus. And it's skank. I'm sure they didn't have any depth reason to use it apart from they though lt it sounded good, when it ruins his voice. They need to fire their producer, he's totally fucked these songs

Yeah, actually it isn't autotune, and has nothing to do with autotune. Effects can be applied to microphones just like they can be applied to instruments, and thats what they did there

[crfcaio]

Am I the only one who prefers the live version?

[Xanderp15]

Am I the only one who prefers the live version?

I'm with ya, buddy! I really, REALLY hope they decide(d) to record some alternate versions to Major Minus like they did with lost and lovers in japan! While I still Like the studio version, I really, REALLY like the live version!

So here's to hoping for a stripped version of Major Minus!! :D

[neonhorn22]

It's called Autotune, doofus. And it's skank. I'm sure they didn't have any depth reason to use it apart from they though lt it sounded good, when it ruins his voice. They need to fire their producer, he's totally fucked these songs


Incorrect. You obviously have no clue what autotune really is. And, didn't your mother ever tell you it isn't nice to call people names? Tst, tsk, tsk.....

[TimeIsOnYourSide]

^^^ this.

[Mister Snig]

It's called Autotune, doofus. And it's skank. I'm sure they didn't have any depth reason to use it apart from they though lt it sounded good, when it ruins his voice. They need to fire their producer, he's totally fucked these songs

HEY GUYS I DON'T KNOW WHAT AUTOTUNE IS I JUST HEARD ABOUT IT FROM SOME OTHER GUY WHO SAID THAT BAD MUSIC USES AUTOTUNE SO IM JUST GOING TO ASSOCIATE EVERYTHING I DON'T LIKE WITH AUTOTUNE

[Hartroc]

It's called Autotune, doofus. And it's skank. I'm sure they didn't have any depth reason to use it apart from they though lt it sounded good, when it ruins his voice. They need to fire their producer, he's totally fucked these songs

This was seriously your first post?

Way to make an impression. :lol:

[Fix42YellowClocks]

It's nice to hear Coldplay going out on a limb and trying something they haven't done before. [: Besides, I don't think it sounds bad at all. Abd, It's not unrecognizable or going nearly as far as say, maybe Kid A? It definitely seems a progression of sorts though. And technology isn't a bad thing so why not do a little experimentation here and there? That is what making new music is all about, right?

[RedBalloon]

I don't why I feel an Oasis vibe there. Please don't "hit" for saying that. not very strong, just a little. I feel a quick capture for the whole rhythm/beats/movement - sth. familiar but can't recall. A bit grundge maybe...

In such a convext, the voice is sure to be distorted. Good experiment, quite successful!!

[givelovesolong]

One of my absolute favourite things about the song is the vocal effect. Really love it.

[christianallen]

It's called Autotune, doofus. And it's skank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3hZ7Jr7KNc
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3hZ7Jr7KNc)

??? :huh2:

Actually, thank you for that. Listening to "Major Minus" whilst watching that video proved to be extremely enjoyable.

[Major_Love]

One of my absolute favourite things about the song is the vocal effect. Really love it.

HERE HERE HERE HERE!!!

Same here! ;)

[rafaelchampion]

One of my absolute favourite things about the song is the vocal effect. Really love it.

Agree

[♥CartoonHeart♥]

HEY GUYS I DON'T KNOW WHAT AUTOTUNE IS I JUST HEARD ABOUT IT FROM SOME OTHER GUY WHO SAID THAT BAD MUSIC USES AUTOTUNE SO IM JUST GOING TO ASSOCIATE EVERYTHING I DON'T LIKE WITH AUTOTUNE

:lol:

I like the vocal effect o.o Sounds awesome

[Dan 6N]

I like this idea a lot!

[Dan 6N]

It's called Autotune, doofus.

It's not autotune.

[matti]

At first i didn't like the vocal effects and preferred the live version. But now i love both versions..and i like the fact that I can here Will's voice.:)

[ColdplayingfromKansas]

^ Agreed. I think all of the guys have great voices on their own (even Guy, which I didn't expect since he's never sung backup :stunned:) and if you combine any of them together they sound even better!

(My personal favorite is Jonny + Chris on Politik Live 2003 :wacky: )

[Crests]

skank.
OKAY

I like the effect, makes the song more into that UFO - space - mars era, like the alien effects at the end, THEY ARE BRILLIANT, oh and moving to mars gots more effects, specialy at the end of the song!!!! loving these effects in all the songs, NEW ERA = EPIC SPACE JURNEY

the Saturn 5 Trilogy > whatever Coldplay comes up with :nod:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3hZ7Jr7KNc
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3hZ7Jr7KNc)

??? :huh2:

Actually, thank you for that. Listening to "Major Minus" whilst watching that video proved to be extremely enjoyable.

This is the first thing that I thought of when I read it haha. Well not the video, but yeah. :|

I'm so bad at skanking lol, I can't even do better than those people and that's saying a lot :awesome:

[Crests]

Every time I post in a thread in one of the LP5 subforums it dies, WHY IS THIS :|

[ColdplayingfromKansas]

^ :hug:


So yeah, vocal effects = good when used sparingly

[Bluejay]

I used to dislike these effects but now I became used to them. Major Minus is my new drug :drunk:

[ColdplayingfromKansas]

^ I know what you mean :wacky: I thought that Major Minus might be one of the handful of Coldplay songs that wouldn't grow on me . . . how wrong I was.

Now I think the vocal effects are freakin' cool! :cool:

[Jack Bauer]

^ I know what you mean :wacky: I thought that Major Minus might be one of the handful of Coldplay songs that wouldn't grow on me . . . how wrong I was.

Now I think the vocal effects are freakin' cool! :cool:

On the CD you can hardly notice it.

[InATelescopeLens]

I think the live version is way better but the studio version is still awesome!! I prefer no vocal effects, but I still love MM!!!!!! :D

[poeincompany]

i have gotten so used to the studio version... i sing so loud to the "ooo ooo oohhh" part, i love it now. great coldplay <3

[splintercell37]

It's called Autotune, doofus. And it's skank. I'm sure they didn't have any depth reason to use it apart from they though lt it sounded good, when it ruins his voice. They need to fire their producer, he's totally fucked these songs

As an amateur producer I can assure you that it is not autotune.

It's more likely to be an overdrive stompbox. I've previously used guitar effects on vocals to achieve the same feeling.

Oddly enough, the song I used it on was quite thematically similar to Major Minus, so I guess authority fear and crushed vocals go well together.

[Blockflote]

(My personal favorite is Jonny + Chris on Politik Live 2003 :wacky: )

:guitarist: