Union Card (Paul O'Brien)

Song written by Paul O'Brien. Guitar & vocals by Paul O'Brien.
Additional instrument parts written & performed by John Michael Kerr.
Sound production & captioning by John Michael Kerr.

Watch on YouTube

Instrumentation

1. Video - Paul's original iPhone recording
2. Vocals - Condenser mic through Behringer UMC204HD
3. Guitar - Fender semi-acoustic
4. Bass - Tension AAS "Pick Bass"
5. Drum - Mind Flux "Drums Dirty Kick"
6. Piano - East Village "Grand Piano"
7. Tubular Bell - BBC SO Discover
8. Spiccato - BBC SO Discover
9. Violins - BBC SO Discover
10. Horns - BBC SO Discover

My First 10 Channel Mix

Two weeks after filling out the requisite survey form, I receive my free licence for Spitfire Audio's "BBC Symphony Orchestra - Discovery" in the email. Under the circumstances, you might agree this track shows considerable restraint in the orchestration department.

Work begins with the now-familiar process of stitching Paul's original YouTube video download, bar by bar, then note by note, to the metronome. Then the separate audio-only file, vox in the left, gtr in the right, is also stitched in the same manual process. Of course the transients don't agree everywhere, this track being distinct from the iPhone microphone feed, so multiple passes are needed to resolve unwanted echoes and phasing effects, if the extra ambience afforded by separate audio signals is to be enjoyed. The very occasional Bob Ross moment yields a happy accidental effect that's actually worth keeping.

Update: see later articles. Phone audio has been removed at Paul's request. He is the boss! (no, not that Boss, though not for want of trying...)

Next, the just-stitched audio is split into two tracks, Vocals and Guitar, so that a Mono effect can be applied to each, isolating just their side of the stereo signal and allowing them to be treated independently in Ableton Live. At this stage the iPhone audio and the Guitar are sent off to opposite sides of the sound stage, to think about what they've done. The Vocals-only track is kept central, and as usual, rewarded for good behaviour with a -12dB A-Reverb return track input.

MIDIs

Bass is the first MIDI channel to be added. First the root notes of the chords are played, then figures are written around these to complement the melody. A single, low kick drum is next, one solemn beat to the bar, with a double kick evoking a heartbeat at the end of each verse (there is no chorus). Then, a piano part to complement the guitar backing. A low tolling tonic tubular bell, bang in the middle of every third bar. Then the rest of the orchestral parts: violins alternating spiccato and long, before finally overlapping with a quartet of French horns.

Critical Response

Initial comments from Paul's Facebook page:

• Beautiful song. Beautiful melody 🎶
• This is magnificent Paul... completely breathtaking! You’ve told this miner’s story and brought him to life so clearly. Everything about it is perfect.. lyrics, melody, vocal, production and the b&w video is inspired. BRAVO!!! 👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️
• Top class
• Lorretta Lynn, Bryan Ferry

Okay, the first one was actually from my sister-in-law, but still...

Previously: Wash Away This Pain

Next time: Midnight Sky Of Blue