that m. ward sound

[metaphormixer]

discuss, if you are so inclined! it took me a while to warm up to how his records sound, but i'm really digging post-war at the moment, and his earlier ones too. there's something very constant in the production--is it some sort of short, panned delay? i don't know. but i'd like to find out.

[asw.3060]

that album is the best recording of 2006.

i definitely noticed the panned delay thing they have going.

i've also found that a slap delay on the mix-buss sometimes gets "that sound"

i've always been curious who "that sound" is emulating. y'know? is there some old-style music/recording that the m.ward people are taking cues from?

-asw-

[I'm Painting Again]

maybe they are just listening and tweeking..making it sound cool to them..

[centurymantra]

that album is the best recording of 2006.

i definitely noticed the panned delay thing they have going.

i've also found that a slap delay on the mix-buss sometimes gets "that sound"

i've always been curious who "that sound" is emulating. y'know? is there some old-style music/recording that the m.ward people are taking cues from?

-asw-

I seriously LOVE the M. Ward sound and consider it a touchstone for creative musicial production/engineering. It is a fascinating sound that evokes 'old-timey' vibes but is really something entirely unique, and I think this is what really gives it a timeless quality which I think will allow this music to hold up and sound as relevant now as it will decades from now. I do really dig his use of delay although, in spite of it's coolness, this is the one thing that may date it a little as time wears on. I like that idea of slapping a delay on the mix-bus...kind of extreme, but I think I'll have try that sometime.


Hats off to Mr. Ward!

[metaphormixer]

It is a fascinating sound that evokes 'old-timey' vibes but is really something entirely unique, and I think this is what really gives it a timeless quality which I think will allow this music to hold up and sound as relevant now as it will decades from now.

yeah, it's completely revisionist, but it's still believable. i think perhaps he's trying to emulate some of the live sound of older rockabilly acts, or something, as opposed to a particular era of record production.

[Eric Rottmayer]

Love all the M Ward sounds, especially Transistor Radio. I listen to that album
as a reference of how ideas and subtle tweaks that seem small can make a huge
difference to the feel or expression of a track or voice.

Post War is also incredible.

[eeldip]

the guy who recorded his first record used to post on here... if someone was ace with the search function...

[ubertar]

Airline guitars were made by Montgomery Ward. For the Sears sound, try Silvertone.

[eeldip]

Airline guitars were made by Montgomery Ward. For the Sears sound, try Silvertone.

hurm... what about Gimbels?

[ubertar]

Airline guitars were made by Montgomery Ward. For the Sears sound, try Silvertone.

hurm... what about Gimbels?

Don't know, but apparently Target and Walmart have guitars now, so I've heard.

[I'm Painting Again]

Airline guitars were made by Montgomery Ward. For the Sears sound, try Silvertone.

hurm... what about Gimbels?

Don't know, but apparently Target and Walmart have guitars now, so I've heard.

so do sams club, costco & best buy..but they suck..

[lyman]

Airline guitars were made by Montgomery Ward. For the Sears sound, try Silvertone.

hurm... what about Gimbels?

Don't know, but apparently Target and Walmart have guitars now, so I've heard.

so do sams club, costco & best buy..but they suck..

those m. ward recordings are nicely out of step with the flavor du jour. i appreciate that as well.

back to the thread hijacking! it's funny, First Act sells gutiars at walmart and shit like that. real low end stuff (they also make the guitars given away with Volkswagens) but there's a custom shop in Boston where they do very nice high end guitars. i guess there's not much middle ground with them. i borrowed one such custom hollowbody during a recording session and it sounded and felt great.

[kayagum]

I actually got to try this at a local store:

Paul Westerberg signature First Act guitar !

You know, for under $200, it's actually a fun, well playing guitar. The story is that Westerberg actually bought a First Act guitar at a Walmart while on tour, and started playing it.

And yes, Answering Machine and Sixteen Blue sounds pretty good on it!