This song holds a special place for me I wrote it in my fall semester 2023. It’s a conscious hip-hop song about my life and the struggles many others face and how I’ve changed and adapted my mindset to the world that loves and hates me at the same time. I’m always looking for the deeper meaning, answers, and a place to call home as many of us can relate to. We find home in our similarities and not all those similarities are good ones nonetheless we come together and find comfort even if it’s only for a short time. Famine is relatable because everyone gets hungry, but some people are starving and it’s not always about food.
Famine.
Famine.
Tracking Photos
Tracking Info
For the recording of "Famine," I chose the blue room in Gallagher Hall for its ambiance and the presence of Jack “Ray” Zahner and Julian “J Dub” Walker, who provided invaluable support and vibe. However, I had to be vigilant with gain staging due to the potential interference from the AC in the room, as well as background noise from the ambient sounds in Gallagher Hall. While a more isolated spot like the vocal booth might have provided cleaner recordings, it would have compromised the vibe we were aiming for. Balancing comfort and ambiance is crucial when recording, especially when playing the dual roles of engineer and artist.
Main Vocal
I tracked all the main vocals using a Shure SM7B without the windshield, paired with a Cloudlifter, routed into a MOTU 8pre interface. To minimize reflections, I utilized an sE Electronics reflection filter along with a pop filter. The dynamic range of the song was handled adeptly by the SM7B, ensuring a smooth recording process.
Background Vocals
Jack, Julian, and I recorded gang vocals and ambient vocals to infuse the song with authenticity and spontaneity. The setup mirrored that of the main vocal recording, with slight adjustments made to input gain and positioning to capture the desired atmosphere within the blue room.
Plugin Pictures
Editing/Production & Mixing
For the recording of "Famine," I chose the blue room in Gallagher Hall for its ambiance and the presence of Jack “Ray” Zahner and Julian “J Dub” Walker, who provided invaluable support and vibe. However, I had to be vigilant with gain staging due to the potential interference from the AC in the room, as well as background noise from the ambient sounds in Gallagher Hall. While a more isolated spot like the vocal booth might have provided cleaner recordings, it would have compromised the vibe we were aiming for. Balancing comfort and ambiance is crucial when recording, especially when playing the dual roles of engineer and artist.
Main Vocal
I tracked all the main vocals using a Shure SM7B without the windshield, paired with a Cloudlifter, routed into a MOTU 8pre interface. To minimize reflections, I utilized an sE Electronics reflection filter along with a pop filter. The dynamic range of the song was handled adeptly by the SM7B, ensuring a smooth recording process.
Background Vocals
Jack, Julian, and I recorded gang vocals and ambient vocals to infuse the song with authenticity and spontaneity. The setup mirrored that of the main vocal recording, with slight adjustments made to input gain and positioning to capture the desired atmosphere within the blue room.
FINAL
Thoughts
FINAL
Thoughts
In conclusion, this mix was large, and the arrangement is upbeat and energetic, I used a lot of moving and automation to bring it to life. This song has been on my head nonstop and this is a great starting point. I love the meaning and stylistically what’s happening but I really like the bread and butter of the mix from the writing to the mix of real and fake instruments it’s a great blend of both worlds.