Real vs Hyperreal vs Surreal
This post is for a music tech class assignment. I’ll be comparing the difference between “real, hyperreal, and surreal” recordings based on some of my favorite groups and musicians out there.
A “real” recording: Snarky Puppy - Lingus (We Like It Here)
So, I love Snarky Puppy. If you’re a musician, or the general music aficionado, and haven’t listened to them GO LISTEN FOR YOSELF SOME SNARKY PUPPY. I chose Lingus for a “real” recording because the video helps the listener see how some amazing musicians create an amazing sound without digital manipulation. This is a live recording of trumpets, keyboards/synths, saxophones, guitars, and drums. The musicians are playing some incredible sounds and rhythms, but you can tell it’s being performed live not created by someone wearing glasses behind a bright computer screen. And, you can also see how they’re making the sounds live in this video, which makes me fangirl all the more when Cory Henry enters on his solo at 4:22.
A “hyperreal” recording: E.S. Posthumous - Pompeii
E.S. Posthumous has combines a great blend of orchestral sounds with modern beats and some electronic sounds. I categorized this track as “hyperreal” because of how E.S. Posthumous combines the use of acoustic instruments and electronic sounds or beats. There are a lot of orchestral sounds and choir singing, sounds that can be performed live. I think what makes this track “hyperreal” is in how mixing, editing, and arranging was involved in the process. What the group probably did was record the orchestra & choir live, then add beats, drums, and electronic sounds during the editing and mixing process.
A “surreal” recording: SKRILLEX - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
EDM and dubstep is as “surreal” as you can get. Obviously, this genre is not created using acoustic sounds. Everything was composed electronically using digital technology. If Scary Monster and Nice Sprites was created using acoustic instruments, for example, by a jazz ensemble, the effect wouldn’t be quite there. The heavy bass, which is characteristic of dub, would be hard to replicate live. Perhaps some bass drum layered with an upright bass could create some cool sounds, but the result would not sound like the original. Also, the way dynamics and volume sound in this track is difficult to create with acoustic instruments vs electronically/digitally. Even if they were to be mic’ed, acoustic instruments have volume limitations and they sound best in their natural state without digital manipulation.