written assignment #2
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School
California State University, Sacramento *
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Course
118C
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
3
Uploaded by jandysncz
1
MUSC 118C Written Assignment #2
In this assignment, we are looking into the work of producer Phil Spector. We are
focusing on the techniques he produced in different songs and how they affected the sound of his
recordings. The songs we are dissecting are, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” by The
Righteous Brothers, and, “Baby I Love You,” by The Ronettes. Both songs were produced by
Phil Spector, and are able to hear his stylistic traits when being played.
Phil Spector has numerous techniques that he has developed over his years of work and
numerous projects. Still, we are going to be focusing on his techniques of layering, reverberation,
doubling, and the wall of sound. Layering is when you combine multiple individual music
sounds to create a single sound (Hyperbits, 2023). Reverberation or reverb is a sound that
remains in the room after the other sound is stopped, you can hear the reflections of the sound
coming off the different surfaces in the room (Sweetwater, 2020). Doubling is, “two different
instruments would play the exactly same line” (9). The wall of sound is, “a technique developed
by Phil Spector which included recording a large number of instruments, blending the sounds
together, and adding reverb” (9).
In the song, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin',” by The Righteous Brothers, you can hear
the techniques of layering and reverb. The song gradually builds, with the help of the layering of
instrumentation and vocal tracks. This layering adds more emotional intensity to the song and its
lyrics. Spector uses reverb to create that sense of space and depth as if you were in the room,
which enhances the intensity of the performance. This song shows Spector's ability to create an
immersive listening experience through his production techniques.
In the song, “Baby I Love You,” by The Ronettes, you can hear the techniques of the
wall of sound, layering, and reverb. The wall of sound is heard throughout the whole song, with
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the arrangement of the instruments and vocals creating an immersive experience. The layering of
multiple instruments and vocals adds more depth to the recordings, while the use of reverb adds
that sense of space and depth to the song.
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References
Connect4Education. (2017). Lesson 5: Rhythm and Blues Becomes Rock and Roll.
OnMusic
Rock
(3rd ed.).
Hyperbits. (2023, August 7).
Layering Sounds: 20 Professional Strategies
. Hyperbits.
https://hyperbits.com/layering-sounds/#:~:text=Layering%20is%20when%20you%20co
mbine,to%20create%20a%20textured%20downlifter
.
Sweetwater. (2020, March 3).
What is Reverb, and What Does it Sound Like?
[Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDuGBRkM-9o
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