Big Plans - The Wall of Sound

It is interesting, when watching a concert, to observe the different types of opening songs that a band may lead with. The opening song is a statement; it is key. In some ways, it may be more important than the closing song. It is setting the stage for the concert - one grips them or loses them in the first few moments.

Now, firstly, I should note that I won't be writing any weak songs. Why would I do that? I've got my reputation to think of. No way man - no filler - I don't have an expensive drug habit or any offshore mistresses to support or anything. So, I don't need the album revenues badly enough to generate albums full of garbage. Even still, not all songs could possibly have the same impact. Some songs will shake the earth more than others. As such, in making a concert setlist, it is important to spread out the top songs in an appropriate manner, with the merely awesome songs filling the gaps between those that make your audience discover religion.

The first song must be a mind blower. It must build slowly into a wall-of-sound. The wall-of-sound is the trick.

You can have wall-of-sound if you're playing acoustic - it just takes a lot of people. Many musicians do a good job of this, and it is very exciting to listen to.

This is not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about 1 button wall-of-sound. Quantized electronic-sound goodness. Thick, rich, static'y full-spectrum noise. If you aren't familiar with the band, it will probably surprise you. It will probably shock you, maybe even frighten you. The effect will be somewhat like the quick drop of a rollercoaster. After the initial shock wears off, the delight will ensue. The wall-of-sound will, like a sonic blanket, envelop you. It will own you. And you will like it. There is no talking to your friend at this stage of the concert. Your only communication option is emphatic gesticulations. You may mouth swear words like "F'n awesome" or something.

This is the "wall of sound". It isn't ground breaking, and it isn't complicated, but it is effective. At sufficient volume, it will make your heart skip. If, unlike me, you had hair, it would probably blow due to the sonic waves. And it is all very achievable if you have an (optional) bass guitar, an audio interface, a DAW with a softsynth, and a midi controller. You only need to push 1 button on the midi controller to begin the wall of sound. Pushing another button makes the wall of sound a melodic wall of sound. See? It's simple. One button. I just need to put it all together, and go find me some masses to blast. But first.....all that other life stuff.