what synths were used for that classic 90's R&B sound?

Discussion in 'Instruments' started by Misterguywick, Mar 13, 2020.

  1. Misterguywick

    Misterguywick Producer

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  3. Olymoon

    Olymoon Moderator

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    No video, no audio??? :dunno:
     
  4. Misterguywick

    Misterguywick Producer

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    sorry :)

    the producer DeVante Swing is the man behind the sound i'm interested in







    :)

    does anyone recognize the snare/rim/clap/(not so sure) he uses





    this sound
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2021
  5. starkid84

    starkid84 Producer

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    As far a Devante/Jodeci stuff, one of the best yet underrated groups/bands of all time. Devante swing as a writer and producer is GOAT status. I could write a list about the stuff they used and their production techniques all day. But for now I'll keep it as short and to the point as possible:

    Forever my lady era stuff: D50, D70, TR 808, Moog stuff, Juno's, yamaha DX7, same stuff that Teddy Riley was using, etc...

    (Here is an article about mr Dalvin talking about the Forever my lady album process)
    http://soulculture.com/features/int...album-forever-my-lady-return-to-the-classics/


    Diary of a Mad Band: Akai MPC 60, LOTS of Roland JD-800/990, Roland JV stuff, live instruments drums, guitar, piano layered or sampled.

    (Here is an article about Prince Charles Alexander working on Diary of a Mad Band)
    http://soulculture.com/features/int...nce-charles-alexander-return-to-the-classics/


    The Show the After Party the Hotel: Any and everything that you might think of... Emu racks, Ensoniq ASR10, (mophatt, etc) Akai MPC's, Emu-Morpheus, live guitar, bass, drums, voccoders

    (Here is an article where Jimmy Douglass talks about the proccess of creating The show after party hotel... and all of Devantes keyboards
    https://www.waxpoetics.com/blog/fea...r-party-the-hotel-on-albums-20th-anniversary/


    Devante's/Jodeci/Da basement drums sounds, are nothing special per-se, Devante was just skillful and creative layering of the sample packs that were available back then, and also don't forget the occasional live drum groove from Mr Dalvin.


    As far as the H-Town stuff, pretty much the same... Emu stuff, akai, Ensoniq, roland, ect... (except a lot of their production is more generic) Devente's production was far more nuanced and esoteric.

    I have quite a few Devante/Jodeci custom banks and patches, if your interested let me know as you definitely wont find love for that kind of stuff on here.

    If you want me to post more about in detail about Devante's production techniques/sounds let me know.
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2020
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  6. EddieXx

    EddieXx Audiosexual

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    also, if you don't have those, to me it sounds like the timeless classic bread n butter sounds that can be founded in "any" workstation or sample-workhorse.

    the kind of sounds people today tend to find "boring" and skip, but sounds that equed and effected right make a smooth palette..
     
  7. Misterguywick

    Misterguywick Producer

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    Thanks a lot @starkid84

    I would love for you to post more about DeVante Swing. I'm sure others would to but they probably didn't expect anyone (here) to care or have knowledge on dude. Thanks Again :wink:

    I agree i do hear some of these sounds here and there tbh like in the Roland D50. I think it's easy to skip these sounds when you don't have the "classic bread and butter" musical approach

    I can fish out a very nice rhodes sound.. but what I do wont sound like DeVante Swinng lol at all.. i think these sounds are kinda intimidating for people like me who aren't exactly well versed in music. (beatmakers)

    :yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes::yes:
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 27, 2021
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  8. spookyelectro

    spookyelectro Newbie

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    please do!:woot:


     
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  9. F.L.O.W.

    F.L.O.W. Producer

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    Haha! :rofl:
    50,000+ members?
    And you thought you were the only one? Right.
    I don't believe you, otherwise you wouldn't have created the thread!
     
  10. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    also k2000/k2500
     
  11. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    the best secret in the picture is the "computer server" rack instead of "studio" rack. much better construction and prices. so you have to buy some extra hardware once because of the square holes....
     
  12. Ted

    Ted Ultrasonic

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    At the end the 90’s famous producers like Rodney Jerkins aka Darkchild (Aaliyah, Mary j blidge etc) was using JV 1080 a lot. I still have mine from these days !! Mpc, as said Kurzweil K2000, but also EMU Emulator IV. Tb-303 (Timbaland). A great analog bass was Studio Electronics ATC-1
     
  13. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    I remember also seeing a lot of EMAX2 at that time. more than most other dedicated samplers. Roland MC sequencers. and that fkn VS-880.
     
  14. s_hood4

    s_hood4 Newbie

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    I’d love to learn more about this production style and check out some of those custom banks/patches if you still have them!
     
  15. clone

    clone Audiosexual

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    That was the first year they made the 500. the 300 was same time frame. So, Yes early 90s these were still in use.

    Product Specs
    Brand
    Model
    • MC-500 MicroComposerYear
    • 1986 - 1989
    Made In
    • Japan
     
  16. Patrick_

    Patrick_ Ultrasonic

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    Korg Trinity
    ASR10
    Emu Proteus
    Roland jv sound modules
    Mpc3000/2000
    SP1200
     
  17. Calita

    Calita Newbie

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    Hey I know I'm years late but is there a chance that you still have the custom banks/patches available to share? Also literally any additional info you have regarding this topic/post is greatly appreciated as well. Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!
     
  18. DonCaballero

    DonCaballero Producer

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    I worked in an RnB studio in the early 2000's.
    Rack sound modules like the Roland JV series (1080 etc.), and well as Korg keyboards like the Triton were pretty standard.
    When the VSTi era started, things like Gigasampler, SampleTank 1, Emagic EVP came in.

    There wasn't nearly as much variety then so basically whatever was in store, and often cheap. Much of the classic RnB sound comes from things that most people wouldn't consider these days, but the quality from PCM modules with 8-32MB of sounds was surprisingly good (Eric Persing from Spectasonics did a lot of the JV sounds.)
     
  19. real

    real Kapellmeister

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    I appreciate this post so much because I am a HUGE fan of both Jodeci and H-Town. In particular, I am a geek for Devante Swing.

    In my opinion, he single-handedly changed the entire trajectory of R&B. His sound and influence, in many ways, IS the modern pop R&B sound.

    Jodeci, with Devante's production and their top-tier harmonies, effectively marks the transition from "clean" R&B to an R&B that was more grimy, more slick, more hard hitting, and much more hip-hop influenced.

    Add in the work he did founding Swing Mob and discovering all the talent of THAT collective...
     
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