Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

General Pearl Jam discussion.
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McParadigm
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by McParadigm »

What a weird quote to be dubbed worthy of Wikipedia entry.
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evenslow
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by evenslow »

A question for Trag, et al: if you had to pick (and I'm making you pick), what is the best produced PJ song of them all? And why?

Is it something like Sleight of Hand, where you can almost hear Tchad Blake's sweet sweet fingerprints all over it?

Or is it the organic atmospherics of Can't Keep, where it feels like you're IN Matt Cam's drumkit?

Or is it something like Corduroy or I Got Shit, which gets across the essence of Pearl Jam at their (arguable) height?

Or we could something else? Surprise me.
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tragabigzanda
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 8:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Sgt. Crackpot
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by Sgt. Crackpot »

If it was allowed on this board, I'd post a picture of a giant throbbing erection in response to trag's post.
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Birds in Hell
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by Birds in Hell »

tragabigzanda wrote:Light Years: The mix on this is just a monster. I could never make a song sound like this, not even close. From the very first kick drum note, the kit has an odd sound, yet at the same time you're immediately put into a very open and comfortable space. By the end of this song, you've gone on quite a ride. It's a super active mix, with a lot of of movement between instruments and levels. The riffs and chords are all just a little edgy, the drums are super punchy, and I would be fascinated to sit and watch Tchad Blake do it on a console, because I have no fucking clue how he does it.
At the risk of harshing your buzz, I think Brendan O'Brien mixed this one on the record.

It was, however, a most excellent post in every other respect.
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by LetMeSleep »

Sgt. Crackpot wrote:If it was allowed on this board, I'd post a picture of a giant throbbing erection in response to trag's post.
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stip
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by stip »

Birds in Hell wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:Light Years: The mix on this is just a monster. I could never make a song sound like this, not even close. From the very first kick drum note, the kit has an odd sound, yet at the same time you're immediately put into a very open and comfortable space. By the end of this song, you've gone on quite a ride. It's a super active mix, with a lot of of movement between instruments and levels. The riffs and chords are all just a little edgy, the drums are super punchy, and I would be fascinated to sit and watch Tchad Blake do it on a console, because I have no fucking clue how he does it.
At the risk of harshing your buzz, I think Brendan O'Brien mixed this one on the record.

It was, however, a most excellent post in every other respect.
I'm not a fan of the Light Years mix in any case. But yes, great post.
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evenslow
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by evenslow »

Trag, you are the KING (and perhaps the only person in my life that takes me seriously).
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tragabigzanda
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 8:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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LoathedVermin72
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by LoathedVermin72 »

tragabigzanda wrote:
Birds in Hell wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:Light Years: The mix on this is just a monster. I could never make a song sound like this, not even close. From the very first kick drum note, the kit has an odd sound, yet at the same time you're immediately put into a very open and comfortable space. By the end of this song, you've gone on quite a ride. It's a super active mix, with a lot of of movement between instruments and levels. The riffs and chords are all just a little edgy, the drums are super punchy, and I would be fascinated to sit and watch Tchad Blake do it on a console, because I have no fucking clue how he does it.
At the risk of harshing your buzz, I think Brendan O'Brien mixed this one on the record.
It was, however, a most excellent post in every other respect.
Gosh, you're right. I thought that was one of the Tchad mixes. Whatever, I'd rather sit next to Tchad than BOB any day of the week.
Have you heard the Tchad mix from the unofficial deluxe version floating around? I wouldn't say I prefer it to the album mix, but it's criminal that you lose Matt's gentle drum rolls in the opening drum beat on the album.
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tragabigzanda
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 8:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Wendy Carlos's Twin
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by Wendy Carlos's Twin »

Another great song that they never play because it requires "effort". Very tricky chord progression.
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Strat
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by Strat »

Wendy Carlos's Twin wrote:Another great song that they never play because it requires "effort". Very tricky chord progression.
light years?
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by Norah »

Around the Bend and Strangest Tribe come to mind.
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tragabigzanda
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by tragabigzanda »

pearl jam sucks now
Last edited by tragabigzanda on Fri January 02, 2026 6:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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darth_vedder
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by darth_vedder »

tragabigzanda wrote:
LoathedVermin72 wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:
Birds in Hell wrote:
tragabigzanda wrote:Light Years: The mix on this is just a monster. I could never make a song sound like this, not even close. From the very first kick drum note, the kit has an odd sound, yet at the same time you're immediately put into a very open and comfortable space. By the end of this song, you've gone on quite a ride. It's a super active mix, with a lot of of movement between instruments and levels. The riffs and chords are all just a little edgy, the drums are super punchy, and I would be fascinated to sit and watch Tchad Blake do it on a console, because I have no fucking clue how he does it.
At the risk of harshing your buzz, I think Brendan O'Brien mixed this one on the record.
It was, however, a most excellent post in every other respect.
Gosh, you're right. I thought that was one of the Tchad mixes. Whatever, I'd rather sit next to Tchad than BOB any day of the week.
Have you heard the Tchad mix from the unofficial deluxe version floating around? I wouldn't say I prefer it to the album mix, but it's criminal that you lose Matt's gentle drum rolls in the opening drum beat on the album.
I've definitely heard it, 'coz I've listened to the whole set, but I guess I don't remember it specifically if I'd allocated the album mix to Tchad. Will have to revisit...
Wow, good call LV! Damn, I'll never hear it the same again. Also on the TB mix, notice the guitar at the 13 second mark. Nice little whah effect. I barely hear it on the proper release.
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by TremorJam »

Strat wrote:
Wendy Carlos's Twin wrote:Another great song that they never play because it requires "effort". Very tricky chord progression.
light years?
It's been played 10 times between 2013-2016. It got 4 plays last year, 1 in 2015, 4 in 2014 and 1 in 2013. The last time it was played before that was in 2011. I love the outro on the studio version. I've always wished that they'd add that to the performances, but never have.
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by digster »

Good call on the Light Years mix; it's superb. Three guitars can be clutter so easily (and often is with this band) but the mix perfectly separates each guitar, gives it enough space in the mix so you can hear each one and most importantly hear them interlocking. It's something I hadn't thought of till it was mentioned here, but it's clear in retrospect.
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Brett
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by Brett »

tragabigzanda wrote:Tape Op magazine has started a great recording podcast. Guests so far include Brian Eno, Jack White, and Steve Albini.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tap ... 34359?mt=2
This reminds me of a thought I had recently: what would happen if Pearl Jam hired Steve Albini? The modern day band wouldn't be able to use him, I don't think.
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Re: Production / Recording / Mixing / Mastering

Post by oneway23 »

trag's post is majestic.
We still make records to be listened to — not that everyone will listen to a record track one to twelve in a row or side A or Side B — but we still make 'em in case somebody does want to listen to it like that, that's how we make em…
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