I’d like to hear a scientific explanation of this!
[Example song](https://youtu.be/C7HP9Xkim9o)
I have a few questions about this.
I was once told that it’s because multiple vocals of this era were done live through a single mic (rather than overdubbed one at a time), and the layers of harmonies disturb the hair in such a way that it causes this quality. Is this the case? If it is, what exactly is the “disturbance”? Are there other factors, such as the equipment used, the mix of the recording, added reverb, etc?
EDIT: uhhhh well I didn’t expect this to blow up like it did. Thanks for everyone who commented, and thanks for the gold!
In: Physics
Any recording engineer will tell you that a particular “sound” whether it be from the modern era or older is not due to any single factor but a number of little differences that produce the signature when stacked together. A few of them in this case could be:
1. Recording technique: As is mentioned already, tracking harmonies together verses stacked (individually at a time) creates a softer, but more cohesive sound. If you have ever played a digital piano you will notice that individual notes can (in the best emulations) be almost utterly convincing but chords less so, because the resonance of the notes together impact each other on a real piano.
2. Recording equipment: Tube gear and tape were used in these earlier eras. Tape in particular can mute the high end frequencies. When you add them back or compensate for them you get the same frequencies but sweetened by harmonic distortion and non-linear characteristics. Digital is cleaner but harder. Older technologies are (generally) softer and sweeter. Plate reverbs were also more popular back then. They produce a rich, haunting sound that is very beautiful but less suited to modern music. Yes plate reverbs still get used a lot today but it more subtle ways and often with a digital emulation rather than the real thing.
3. Recording spaces: A room is as important to a sound recording as light is to a film recording. And in the 70s there were some LEGENDARY rooms that simply don’t exist today. It’s also one of the reasons for THAT signature Motown sound. Recording spaces today are more perfectly designed and built for a variety of recordings. Older, less perfect, more creative spaces gave different sounds.
4. Fashion: There was a popular style for harmonies of that era. You can hear similarities in something like Fleet Foxes in more modern times but when you have a critical mass of artists all going for one “sound” you are going to get an overall higher standard and the best of those will be better than the best today, when the fashion is not as popular.
Add all these things together and although each is not a game changer, the cumulative effect is a unique sound that is not easily replicated today.
Latest Answers