searching for that certain sound effect

Question

Level 2

166 points

searching for that certain sound effect

Does anyone know the name of what I describe as a "shimmering/crystal-like/cascade-like" effect that is heard behind the vocals on some R&B tunes? It can be heard under Destiny's Child's "Cater 2 U" and on Lyfe Jennings "Must Be Nice" and on countless other songs. And does anyone know where I can get a loop of that sound?

Posted on Oct 23, 2005 12:30 AM

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Answer 1

Schneb

Level 5

4,957 points

Oct 24, 2005 10:40 AM in response to JoHo

I am not sure what you are talking about, but from your description, it sounds like a Mark Tree.

Look at this link and listen to the example sound files.

http://www.groverpro.com/Spectrasound.htm

If this is correct, I will let you know where to access this sound in GarageBand.

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Answer 2

Oct 24, 2005 11:47 AM in response to Schneb

I wasn't familiar with those songs, so I was totally unsure just what was meant. I used that sound from way up high in the drum kits on one of my songs. I never knew it had that name. I always just called them brass chimes, I guess. Always learning something new here.

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Answer 3

Schneb

Level 5

4,957 points

Oct 24, 2005 1:08 PM in response to Scott Laughlin-Richard

From the link...

The Mark Tree was invented in 1967 by LA studio percussionist Mark Stevens. Not knowing what to call his new percussive invention, he turned to studio legend Emil Richards, who dubbed the new instrument the "Mark Tree".

However, Brass Chimes works for me. 😉 I found out the name via the Garritan site. I asked, Mark Tree? What is that!? So I looked it up. "OH! The brass chimey things."

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Answer 4

JoHo Author

Level 2

166 points

Oct 29, 2005 9:16 AM in response to Schneb

Yes, I thinks that's the sound I was referring to. I realized it was probably a wind chime. I found it in Garage Band by using the Musical Keyboard in Jazz Kit mode and hitting the wind chime sound. I've already laid it into my new song and it seems to give me the effect I want. Was this how you would have shown me how to get it in Garage Band? My local health food store is special ordering me an actual "brass chime". I was going to fool with it and make a live instrument loop out of it, but it sounds like you are right as to the origin of the sound.

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Answer 5

Oct 29, 2005 4:51 PM in response to JoHo

I found it in the Pop Kit as well. I wanted it to go on longer than it did by itself, so I added a lot of delay to it to stretch it out more. It seemed that even dragging the note way out didn't keep it going long enough.

My old drummer just got a length of brass tubing about 1/4 inch in diameter and cut it into about 20 pieces, of declining length, then drilled a hole through each and tied the to a piece of wood with fishing line. Sounded just like the read thing. He probably still is using it after 20 years!

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Answer 6

Schneb

Level 5

4,957 points

Oct 31, 2005 10:48 AM in response to Scott Laughlin-Richard

That's all that Mark Stevens did. Making them yourself is a viable option. As for getting a slower chime rise or fall, why not convert it to a loop and lower the BPM. You can export it as an AIFF and drop it in when you need it.

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Answer 7

Oct 24, 2005 5:51 PM in response to Schneb

My old drummer was also a construction worker, and he just bought some brass and fishing line and made his own 🙂 Sounded great!

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Answer 8

Oct 31, 2005 12:26 PM in response to Schneb

That's a thought. My little tricked worked out OK, but if I need it again, I may try that.

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