^I do think the bell is quite epic though :)

^I do think the bell is quite epic though :)

Absolutely, it is :)

 

And even if I kind of contradict myself ;) , let's face it:

Playing a huge stadium for loads of people (and not only 'die hard fans') you as a band have to put on a show. People just expect something spectacular, special & outrageous. Otherwise they could sit at home and listen to the CD. :laugh3:

I agree, I really don't care if their live music sounds less perfect, I'd really like them to use less pre-recorded instruments for the next tour!

 

It's not a pre-recorded instrument as a lot of people have been trying to point out...it's just that when he hits it, it "triggers" the sound we hear because that bell can't trigger it alone.

Yeah but they talk about the bell A LOT and how awesome it is, when the truth is that the sound came from something else? So all these while the bell was just a prop they put on stage?

That's lying and cheating. I'm indeed very disappointed.

 

It's not lying or cheating...and it wasn't a prop because they DID use it. Everytime Will hit it, something else triggered the sound. He was still hitting his bell...it's not that big of a deal like everyone else said.

@backstreetchix Thank you! That is what I have been trying to say!

@backstreetchix Thank you! That is what I have been trying to say!

 

= )

It's not a pre-recorded instrument as a lot of people have been trying to point out...it's just that when he hits it, it "triggers" the sound we hear because that bell can't trigger it alone.

Erm thanks I know this, I was talking about other instruments in other songs actually

Erm thanks I know this, I was talking about other instruments in other songs actually

 

Ahhh ok...but I still don't see it as a big deal. I mean they've only got 4 people to play instruments so obviously not every instrument can be played live =\ They've said in the past that instruments that can't be played life, someone else in the back is playing it and etc...so on. But I guess this is just the way I see it =\ I don't blame you.

Erm thanks I know this, I was talking about other instruments in other songs actually

If you are going to base the bands you like soley on whether they use so few instruments that every part of every song can be played live, you are going to have quite a limited list. They aren't magic. Even in simple songs like The Scientist they have a person who plays an additional acoustic guitar offstage. You have to decide whether you want to pay money for a good show or if you want to pay for a shit performance.

Wtf

I wouldn't have seen them 4 times last year if I didn't love their shows.

I'm just saying that I don't really care about visual effects even if it's a "plus".

So you're saying that they would do a shit performance if they used less pre-recorded instruments? I don't think so.

But I'm not complaining, I love their shows as they are, but that would make them absolutely perfect imo

 

Ahhh ok...but I still don't see it as a big deal. I mean they've only got 4 people to play instruments so obviously not every instrument can be played live =\ They've said in the past that instruments that can't be played life, someone else in the back is playing it and etc...so on. But I guess this is just the way I see it =\ I don't blame you.

I know, they're just 4 so they obviously can't play more instruments, but why couldn't they hire some musicians? That would be totally kick-ass :)

Wtf

I wouldn't have seen them 4 times last year if I didn't love their shows.

I'm just saying that I don't really care about visual effects even if it's a "plus".

So you're saying that they would do a shit performance if they used less pre-recorded instruments? I don't think so.

But I'm not complaining, I love their shows as they are, but that would make them absolutely perfect imo

 

 

I know, they're just 4 so they obviously can't play more instruments, but why couldn't they hire some musicians? That would be totally kick-ass :)

 

That would be like hiring more people for the band then right? So you're saying add members? If you're talking about just playing for the show...they do, do that. They just don't play on stage - they play off stage where we can't see them. But as they said, not every instrument can be replicated live so there are just some of those songs where they'll need a pre-recorded instrument =\

Wtf

I wouldn't have seen them 4 times last year if I didn't love their shows.

I'm just saying that I don't really care about visual effects even if it's a "plus".

So you're saying that they would do a shit performance if they used less pre-recorded instruments? I don't think so.

But I'm not complaining, I love their shows as they are, but that would make them absolutely perfect imo

The sound of a bell is a visual effect?

 

Yes, they would have a worse performance, because then there would be elements of the song missing altogether. You are making it sound like I am somehow insulting Coldplay by saying this. It's just a fact. It couldn't possibly sound as good live if there wern't some things that were electronically produced. And anyways, they don't use very many pre-recorded sounds to begin with. People hear about one little thing, the stupid bell, and they start freaking out. They already do use some people to play off stage instruments, as I already mentioned. But they can't hire a string quartet to play at every show for Viva la Vida, and they can't hire someone who can magically allow the sound of a bell to carry across an entire stadium.

If you are going to base the bands you like soley on whether they use so few instruments that every part of every song can be played live, you are going to have quite a limited list. They aren't magic. Even in simple songs like The Scientist they have a person who plays an additional acoustic guitar offstage. You have to decide whether you want to pay money for a good show or if you want to pay for a shit performance.

 

Yeah I do believe that a good band would be the bands who can actually play live and make it as authentic as possible. If you have to hire extra musicians, then do it. People are paying a lot of money to watch the show, so I don't think hiring would be a problem.

 

Plus, what is good show to you? Because I heard Britney put up a good show as well, and she lipsynched. Lipsynching is cheating for me, so does using too much pre recorded stuffs..

 

The sound of a bell is a visual effect?

 

Yes, they would have a worse performance, because then there would be elements of the song missing altogether. You are making it sound like I am somehow insulting Coldplay by saying this. It's just a fact. It couldn't possibly sound as good live if there wern't some things that were electronically produced. And anyways, they don't use very many pre-recorded sounds to begin with. People hear about one little thing, the stupid bell, and they start freaking out. They already do use some people to play off stage instruments, as I already mentioned. But they can't hire a string quartet to play at every show for Viva la Vida, and they can't hire someone who can magically allow the sound of a bell to carry across an entire stadium.

 

No, they wouldn't put up a shit performance if they're good. Which i truly believe they are. By adding too many things that they can't play themselves, it is somehow giving the perception that they're insecure about their ability to play music without relying too much on the additional sounds. Come on, Coldplay is much better than that!

 

Plus, the pre recorded or added sounds and effects that were used were a lot. I read somewhere that even the 'oooooh's in VLV that was supposed to be sang by Will, Guy and Jonny was pre recorded. But they pretended as if they sang it themselves. And let's not forget about the sound of the keyboard. Then, the beginning of Life in Technicolor at the beginning of the show, there were few videos that I've watched that the sound of the guitar started before Chris played it on stage. I found out about all those and still I just ignored them and gave Coldplay the benefit of the doubt. But the bell too? Makes me wonder what were the only original sound that actually comes from the band?

 

Actually, I'm not all against those pre-recorded stuffs to be honest. Yes, I do get that sometimes (yes, SOMETIMES) they do need them to put up a good performance. But the act of pretending as if they are producing the sound live really disappoint me, mostly because I know that they can do A LOT better than that.

 

ps; It is actually okay to be critical to the band that you really like. It doesn't make you less of a good fan than you are right now.

 

ps; It is actually okay to be critical to the band that you really like. It doesn't make you less of a good fan than you are right now.

 

This!

No, they wouldn't put up a shit performance if they're good. Which i truly believe they are. By adding too many things that they can't play themselves, it is somehow giving the perception that they're insecure about their ability to play music without relying too much on the additional sounds. Come on, Coldplay is much better than that!

 

Plus, the pre recorded or added sounds and effects that were used were a lot. I read somewhere that even the 'oooooh's in VLV that was supposed to be sang by Will, Guy and Jonny was pre recorded. But they pretended as if they sang it themselves. And let's not forget about the sound of the keyboard. Then, the beginning of Life in Technicolor at the beginning of the show, there were few videos that I've watched that the sound of the guitar started before Chris played it on stage. I found out about all those and still I just ignored them and gave Coldplay the benefit of the doubt. But the bell too? Makes me wonder what were the only original sound that actually comes from the band?

 

Actually, I'm not all against those pre-recorded stuffs to be honest. Yes, I do get that sometimes (yes, SOMETIMES) they do need them to put up a good performance. But the act of pretending as if they are producing the sound live really disappoint me, mostly because I know that they can do A LOT better than that.

 

ps; It is actually okay to be critical to the band that you really like. It doesn't make you less of a good fan than you are right now.

I thought it was a known fact that LiT wasn't played live? I mean, how could it be? They come onto the stage carrying sparklers while the music is playing. That doesn't really count, it's more just their opening to the show.

 

Viva la Vida is the one song that I know is probably mostly pre-recorded. That song seems to be all about the crowd participation. I don't really like that, and personally I'd rather that song not be included in the next tour for just that reason. All I am saying is that the bell isn't such a big deal to me, because if you really think about it there is no way the sound of a bell could reach an entire stadium of people on its own. I guess my point was just that some of this stuff is kind of obvious when you give it some thought, and I don't think Coldplay was really decieving anyone by doing this.

 

I'm just saying that some of this pre-recorded stuff was necessary for the particular set of songs played on this tour. Personally, that's fine with me just because I know the insane challeneges that would arise from trying to get songs to sound the same live as in the studio. In the studio, things are so much different, and it's possible for every instrument on every song to be played separately and then put together to form a song, while live it's a give and take, where you have to decide what parts you will play live and what parts you will play using either a recording or an offstage performer, and it all depends on the circumstances and the complexity of the piece.

 

And in general, they still do play most of their songs live completely. Like I said earlier, when they play The Scientist live they have a person offstage who plays an extra guitar.

 

I understand how this might seem shocking if you've never really thought about it before. But honestly, the only way all pre-recordings could be avoided is with a strictly acoustic set, which is obviosuly not going to be the case in the majority of bands. Coldplay says they are going to make the next LP more acoustic, which will be nice for cocnerts in my opinion, but obviously they are not going to do this every time, and some songs will still need a little bit of outside help.

 

It's a commonly accepted opinion that live shows are the best way to judge a band, but I disagree. What happens in the studio is far more important in my opinion. Performances are just that.....performances. Just a show to make a band's fans feel more attached to the band and the music. When you want to get a feel of a band's talent, you listen to their CDs and you research their recording techniques.

 

 

EDIT: And I agree about the being critical thing. It is good. I just want the criticism to be in the right places.

I saw Wayne the Dancing Roadie tonight. He's touring with Kings of Leon. They however don't let him dance.

more fool them

^ Hey Jen..havent seen you for ages. Hope you are enjoying motherhood. x

Some things to add after reading most of theposts...

First of all, the bell Will uses for VIVA does have an omnidirectional microphone inside and a ddtrigger. Im not sure if Will's just hitting the bell to trigger the sound or if he's really making noise from the bell and that sound is being caught by the mic and amplified at the same time. But anyway, he's really playing with the instrument.

Another thing Coldplay fans shouldn't forget are their rules. If you observe them very carefully, there's one that says elektronic equipment are instruments, not recording aids, which I have to agree, they're new era musical instruments, so accept them by what they're

And I love Coldplay for playing the sounds they created. They play with the sounds. They have their own sounds for every instrument (i.e Fix You Organ). All designed by the band and it's team. And it happens that they play the instrument with the new sound.

About pre-recorded stuff, I read some time ago that when Jonny stops playing Viva La Vida main riff to get on his guitar, the keyboard rack is set to continue playing the whole song by itself from the moment Jonny stops playing it. That action is triggered by band techs via intercoms (I'll try to get the link to a report of a guy spying radio frequencys and hearing tech crew chats during viva show). I also read that each instrument has its own rack and software, so when It's not being played, the tech crew (off-stage) can remotely trigger the pre-recorded share of the song, and that the trigger is automatically shut down when the instrument is played again. You can verify this with the viva la vida live videos, when chris comes and plays a riff, then he goes away and then he returns. Or you can evidence this on Lovers In Japan...

 

I disagree with the idea that the band should hire musicians to play all those instruments instead of having pre-recorded stuff. Essentially because its not necessary, and it does sound better without them. And then, because Coldplay is mainly integrated by 4 members, and that means the band. When you go to a Coldplay show, you know you're going to that band show, not to a string quartet or Orchestra performance as Coldplay is not intended to be a classical music group. In addition to my plot, I think we all should be very proud of having a band on earth that can delight our ears with its creations. And because It's "their creations" they can interpretate them as they want, they are not obbliged to hire any string quartet as long as they can manage to PLAY (not act as if they were playing) the songs in a great way as they're doing.

Actually Coldplay is an example for any musician, an example of creativity and musical inteligence.

What's important to know is that they focus on one instrument at a time, they're not multitaskers, and that they never stop playing any instrument but jumping from one to another. I think we should be proud they're capable of doing that, and because they're capable to fill our ears with awesome sound harmony...

 

And my last paragraph is dedicated for some of you, that think Coldplay is in wrong way with the pre-recorded stuff, I think they're a really example of a good use of pre-recorded parts of songs, I mean, their use its justified with all that I wrote above. Lastly, I wanted to say that none of you would have known Coldplay if it weren't for pre-recorded stuff. To prove that, I invite any of you to watch the live 2003 DVD, lets say the song Yellow or Clocks, and imagine those songs without the background music (that is a pre-recorded sound).

I mean, the pre-recorded sounds of parts of Coldplay songs are made by Coldplay and played by them or professional hired musicians or close friends, whats wrong with that? Pre-recorded background sound is one of last elements of Coldplay to compliment their songs, as they make a whole, create the atmosphere for Chris to start playing Clocks, and encapsulates the whole harmony of what you call "melody"... so if Coldplay wouldnt have used pre-recorded background sounds, I think, Coldplay wouldnt have been such a successful band. Long life Coldplay

 

---

Apologies for my english... still studying it as I'm born in Argentina. I hope you could all understand my theory and plot...:thinking:

Salutes,

Coldplero :D

Wow, you put a lot of thought into that! I thought when I read the first part that you might be a Coldplay insider, lol. Good post.

Some things to add after reading most of theposts...

[...]

Apologies for my english... still studying it as I'm born in Argentina. I hope you could all understand my theory and plot...:thinking:

Salutes,

Coldplero :D

Welcome to coldplaying!

Very well written, thank you very much, I agree with most of what you said. :nice:

Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally Posted by Coldplero;4612256

Some things to add after reading most of theposts...

[...]

Apologies for my english... still studying it as I'm born in Argentina. I hope you could all understand my theory and plot...

Salutes,

Coldplero

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I had to go refresh my coffee, cause it was long:D, welcome to the boards, and your English was fine, I certainly don't mind the pre-recorded background music on some songs live, as long as a band isn't Lip-syncing, which Chris doesn't do, I have been to alot of concerts regarding other bands and it seems alot of this goes on.

Please, someone upload the 5 videos!

Please, someone upload the 5 videos!

:thinking:

 

Which 5 videos are you referring to?

Looky what I found :D

 

I tried to embed them, but the embed codes wouldn't load :shrug:

 

It's 5 videos of Miller and Neil Lambert talking about Coldplay's pianos/keyboards/guitars for a keyboard mag and an interview :D

 

Check out exclusive video of the onstage and offstage keyboard technology behind the piano-powered supergroup. Coldplay's techs Miller (that's right, just Miller) and Neil Lambert invited us backstage for their July 13, 2009 show in Mountain View, California. We got up close to all the gear, actually sitting at Chris Martin's Yamaha GT20 piano controller and custom-painted Korg Kontrol49 keyboards. But there's much more - see for yourself!

 

<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/14080861001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=31268882001&playerID=14080861001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>

Video 1: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid31183220001?bclid=31196924001&bctid=31268882001

 

<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/14080861001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=31270441001&playerID=14080861001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>

Video 2: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid31183220001?bclid=31196924001&bctid=31270441001

 

<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/14080861001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=31269504001&playerID=14080861001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>

Video 3: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid31183220001?bclid=31196924001&bctid=31269504001

 

<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/14080861001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=31268857001&playerID=14080861001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>

Video 4: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid31183220001?bclid=31196924001&bctid=31268857001

 

<embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/14080861001?isVid=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=31268823001&playerID=14080861001&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" swLiveConnect="true" allowScriptAccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object>

Video 5: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid31183220001?bclid=31196924001&bctid=31268823001

 

Source: http://www.keyboardmag.com/article/backstage-with-coldplay/July-2009/98949

 

This videos!!!!:D