Folks:

I am new to the Motifator Forums, and appreciate the contributions of others here.

For years, I have tried to emulate Steely Dan’s sound (if not the incredible virtuosity of the musicians).  Now, with my new Motif XF, I am trying out the keyboard voices, searching for Donald Fagen’s signature sounds.

So far, I like using the preset voice, “Crunchy Comp” for songs like “Babylon Sisters.” I also like the Vintage Keys voice, “B13 - Mark II Suitcase 73,” in general for Steely Dan’s music.

I suspect that to get much closer to Donald’s sounds will require editing voices, which I am eager to do.  For example, I would love to edit a voice that matches (or nearly so) his Rhodes in “Hey Nineteen.”

I am also keen to decipher the keyboard sound in “I.G.Y.”, from “The Nightfly.” The opening bars – before the Rhodes comes in – sound like a luscious synthesizer/DX/Rhodes combination, chorused.  Has anyone mastered this voice?

I will upload any voices I come up with; I’m just getting started.  I would love to hear from any Dan fans.

Thanks,

A.M.D.

I’ve done many of the Steely Dan/Donald Fagen charts as demonstration songs for various Yamaha keyboards over the years. In picking a Rhodes sound you really only have to pick one based on the era of the recording… then it is a matter of trying to duplicate some of the processing done to the fundamental Rhodes tone. Which can be great fun because almost all of the era’s stomp boxes are accurately modeled in the Motif XF’s VCM algorithms.

The “Crunchy Comp” is a great example of Rhodes with prominent attack due to the compressor, this can be made to work for many of the tracks… “Hard Vintage” gives you that same kind of pop on the front but does so without using “compressor” as an Insertion .

I did do “I.G.Y” at one point, I’ll have to look to see what I used for that opening sound. Off to my file archives… (the closet)… I’ll let you know.

Bad_Mister:

Thanks very much for your reply.  Your guidance is helpful:  this past weekend I did my first voice editing, using the Melas Voice Editor.  I started with the Vintage 74 voice, and created a couple modifications for use in Steely Dan songs.  I have a long way to go to become proficient at editing voices, but this was a fun start.  I even used the VCM Stereo Phaser on one of the voices, to create a “Babylon Sisters” voice.

I look forward to modifying Rhodes voices from other eras, though Donald Fagen has been quoted as saying he does not think much of keyboard technology newer than the 70s!

Again, thanks very much.  Your input to this forum and your videos demonstrating Yamaha keyboards led me to buy the XF.  Are there any YouTube videos of you playing Steely Dan / Donald Fagen?  That would be great stuff.

I listened a little closer to the beginning of I.G.Y. the other day – a wonderful song.  the opening has three keyboard sounds:  an arpeggiator sweeping up and down through the chord changes; a warm, chorused Rhodes (or something) in the background, and a slightly more brittle EP-sound for the “rhythm” piano track.  Time to put the Motif to work . . .

Best Regards –

A.M.D.

Go for it… I hope to have some news in few weeks - we want to expand the “making music” portion of the Motifator site… it is more interesting to hear what people are doing with their gear. Music Production with an XF is one of those things that is best when shared.

Hi, A.M.D.

Glad to see another Steely Dan / Fagen aficionado around these parts. I love their whole catalog plus Fagen’s “Nightfly”, it’s an incredible album and “I.G.Y.” is an incredible song.

The EP in the “I.G.Y.” intro is definitely a Rhodes with a Chorus effect. I love it because Fagen’s usual signature sound is the Phasered Rhodes, as I’m sure you know. I don’t think there’s an DX EP in there, but possibly something that sounds like an FM organ patch.

It’s a delightful sound (the Chorused EP), used on a lot of Quincy Jones / Jay Graydon / David Foster L.A. productions of ca 1979-1983.

I haven’t been quite able to capture it on the Motif, but I have some custom Rhodes patches on mine that might be a bit better - I’ll have to dig a bit and get back to you if I find a good one.

I have the Yamaha CP5 stage piano, and using the 1975 and 1978 models in that + one of the modeled Choruses comes close to perfection! It really is like 1980 again. Here’s a quick MIDI example (using Motif’s arpeggio drums to save time) - http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15045839/fagen_demo.mp3

By the way, have you noticed the Performance called “Urban Shuffle” in the Motif XS/XF? It’s certainly Yamaha’s tribute to Fagen (or Steely Dan), you even have the harp/melodica in the upper register.

Greetings Machina:

It’s great to meet a fellow Dan Fan here.  I agree wholeheartedly with your appraisal of Steely Dan’s and Donald Fagen’s work.  The Nightfly is a masterpiece (in addition to being the popular “reference standard” for testing music amplification systems.) The DVD-Audio of The Nightfly is especially fun.

Thanks very much for the Dropbox sample of your “I.G.Y.” I like your version very much:  You have the keyboards, bass, drums, and horns interacting well, each instrument in its own proper, swinging rhythm.  And I can hear that “rhythm” keyboard part – sort of an organ sound - just like Donald plays.  Thanks also for the tip about the “Urban Shuffle” performance – I will definitely try it.

I am currently working on recording “Pretzel Logic,” track by track, as a Pattern on my XF8.  Hours of fun!  I’m also working on mastering particular parts to songs, like the intro to “Your Gold Teeth II.” I love playing “Here at the Western World” and “Doctor Wu” using the Motif’s acoustic piano voices, esp. the S700.  My challenge is to emulate Michael Omartian’s magical touches on these songs.  For variety, I’m working on Michael McDonald’s “Minute By Minute.”

Good tip about the chorused Rhodes; I’ll have to experiment with creating some new voices.  Have you tried the Chick Corea voice library for Motif?  I am using it more often and really enjoying it.  I like the Stereo Phaze voice for Babylon Sisters.  I’m new to the XF8 – and absolutely love it.  I envy your CP5, but I’m thrilled with my Motif.  It’s doing everything I wanted, and more.

Machina, do you perform Steely Dan songs live, or is this for fun?  Playing Steely Dan on keyboard and guitar is my personal obsession.  Working out their songs on a versatile keyboard was a big reason I bought the Motif XF8.

Looking forward to comparing more notes soon. 

A.M.D.

I found a Performance that suits Steely Dan’s piano ballads, such as “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” and “Here at the Western World.” It is Performance number 36 at C04, “Acoustic Piano Man.”

This performance includes acoustic piano, bass, and two percussion tracks.  I modified the piano to be the S700 voice.  I typically play with the bass volume all the way down, as I only want a good rhythm track to practice with. 

Have fun!

A.M.D.

Hey Cats & Kittens:

Anybody come up with a patch for Donald’s MXR Phase 90 effect that he runs his Rhodes through?  I’m thinking “Babylon Sisters.”

The phase effects of the Motif are vast:  For example, the VCM stereo phase effects allow for so many adjustments.  Just wondering if anybody’s found that perfect combination that emulates Donald’s phaser.

I’m still working toward that voice and making some progress.  Hope to post a voice file here some day soon.

Thanks in advance,

A.M.D.

Assign the “VCM Phaser Mono”
Call up the Rhodes sound you want to work with in VOICE mode
Press [F6] EFFECT to take the shortcut to the EFFECT Edit screen
Press [SF1] CONNECT
Assign the VCM Phaser Mono to one of the Insertion Effects
Press the [SF] button that will allow you to edit this Insert Effect
Select the PRESET appropriately named “Orange 90”

(if you know the original processor, you know what this preset is emulating).

Any Major Dude - 17 May 2012 01:53 AM

Greetings Machina:



I am currently working on recording “Pretzel Logic,” track by track, as a Pattern on my XF8.  Hours of fun!  I’m also working on mastering particular parts to songs, like the intro to “Your Gold Teeth II.” I love playing “Here at the Western World” and “Doctor Wu” using the Motif’s acoustic piano voices, esp. the S700.  My challenge is to emulate Michael Omartian’s magical touches on these songs.  For variety, I’m working on Michael McDonald’s “Minute By Minute.”

Good tip about the chorused Rhodes; I’ll have to experiment with creating some new voices.  Have you tried the Chick Corea voice library for Motif?  I am using it more often and really enjoying it.  I like the Stereo Phaze voice for Babylon Sisters.  I’m new to the XF8 – and absolutely love it.  I envy your CP5, but I’m thrilled with my Motif.  It’s doing everything I wanted, and more.

Machina, do you perform Steely Dan songs live, or is this for fun?  Playing Steely Dan on keyboard and guitar is my personal obsession.  Working out their songs on a versatile keyboard was a big reason I bought the Motif XF8.

Looking forward to comparing more notes soon. 


A.M.D.

My bands a few live. Ex peg and pretzel logic I’d love to get that pattern for pretzel logic awesome

Bad_Mister - 11 July 2012 10:58 PM

Assign the “VCM Phaser Mono”
Call up the Rhodes sound you want to work with in VOICE mode
Press [F6] EFFECT to take the shortcut to the EFFECT Edit screen
Press [SF1] CONNECT
Assign the VCM Phaser Mono to one of the Insertion Effects
Press the [SF] button that will allow you to edit this Insert Effect
Select the PRESET appropriately named “Orange 90”

(if you know the original processor, you know what this preset is emulating).

Phil:

Thanks so much for the tip.  I now realize that “Orange 90” was waiting there for somebody—like me—who craved that particular effect.  I should have made the connection earlier.  But thanks again for taking the time to steer me straight.

A.M.D.

fbarbin - 12 July 2012 02:21 AM

My bands a few live. Ex peg and pretzel logic I’d love to get that pattern for pretzel logic awesome

fbarbin:

Thanks for your reply.  I will try to post my “Pretzel Logic” Pattern, including edited Chain, soon.  I want to post some customized voices I’m using for Steely Dan songs with it.

I’m currently recording “Josie” track by track and having a lot of fun with it.  The next track to record is an approximation of Jim Keltner’s drums (a real challenge).  After “Josie” I plan to tackle “Boston Rag.”

In the meantime, have fun playing The Dan’s music with your band.

Anyone else playing Steely Dan on the Motif?

A.M.D.

I LOVE the Dan.

My band (various incarnations) has performed Rikki and Do It Again for the last few years.  Haven’t had time to work up Hey 19 and I.G.Y.

I’m BEGGING the guy who arranged I.G.Y. to please get me the .MID file cuz I’ve been dying to perform that song.  Great arrangement!

Here are live performance recordings of Rikki and Do It Again:
(use the little Player app in the upper right to find the songs)

Rikki:
http://archive.org/details/kse2012-08-09.sbd.r16.flac16

Do It Again:
http://archive.org/details/kse2012-09-08.sbd.r16.flac16
(using the Styx Analog synth sound from DCP Vintage Keys no less)

Kevin B. Selby
http://kevinselby.com <-- Peaceful Music

Gotta love Steely Dan.

I’ve played quite a few of their tunes since Aja first came out.

“Home at Last” is one of my favorites on the Aja album… with its grand piano, EP’s and horn parts. So many tasty parts to choose from in their arrangements.

Great thread. I just used Bad Mister’s mono phaser tip on a James Taylor tune, “Don’t let me be lonely tonight...” wonderful.

thx

Hi,
Another Steely Dan fan! From downunder Australia.
I love the Fagen Rhodes sound and have played many of their tunes during the 70’s and am still giging and love all their albums and their sound.I have recently purchased a Yamaha MOX and use many Rhodes style sounds.
I also have owned a few Rhodes and have a great Mk2 73 Suitcase at home that i have restored.I love the real Rhodes sound but I’m over lugging it to a gig.The MOX is a great “lugging” weekend warrior keyboard ( nice weight!) and I’m learning it’s capabilities slowly and am very impressed with the collection of Vintage keyboard sound from the 70’s like Rhodes,Wurlies,B3, Clavinets etc which I have owned at some time in my gigging life.
The Rhodes sounds in the MOX are very good and I’ve just started tweeking some to get my favs...from artists like Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs,Joe Sample,Al Jarreau,Michael Franks etc etc
Great to hear from other users and tips from Phil ( Bad Mister) and other contributors.
Keep up the classic keyboard sounds.
Regards
musomarc

I have always loved Steely Dan’s brass sounds and spent many hours searching, loading and programming a bunch of samples in an attempt to emulate those wonderful horn players.
This is an example of how my Steely Dan Horn Section samples sounded on my ES6.
I have loaded my (brand new) Motif XF with the horn section samples and they just got better…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe6ZtbkXNFw