Stevie Wonder's clavinet- Superstition: The Multitrack Masters!

[worknman74]

Where did you get the master tracks for this? Inquiring minds want to know :)

[OFR]

I can do all this with one hand...

[TheKifrob]

Stop posing and just talk about it.

[Skinhitta]

i hate white boys that try to talk like they black...

[ASeventhSign]

@Skinhitta

When a white boy listens to Superstition, from that moment on, he's a little bit black. yo.

[WillyMcCoy50]

I will not swear in sanctified ground, but, FFFFUUUU!!!!!! It's irreligious to dissect the sounds of Pure Funk Heaven, but I am but a mere mortal. Please forgive me Father, but I have sinned - and I will SIN AGAIN!!!! (press replay).

[CyrilViktor]

from: Robert Margouleff

So...everyone is still trying to figure out what we did 39 years later. Your analisys of the drum track are wrong though. They were recorded with multiple mics. Also the Clav tracks were recorded in stereo pairs so there a fewer than you think. Don't forget the the guitar efx boxes we used. It was a life time ago.

look robert on linked in bro.

[tamaraehenry]

hmmm....I thought it was four parts when I heard the multi-tracks a while ago, 8 tracks counting the delays/echoes.

[cosmicfeel]

Greeeeeeeeeeeeat Stevie...and great you man !

[learjeff1]

@wado1942: You're right. I've since heard a better set of seps, and it's two parts, with one being a bit busier on the right hand than I'd thought earlier.

[InfinityEnterprises]

How did you get the tracks?

[TheSquareround]

can you give me a link?

[Milewskige]

Can we hear the tracks individually without listening to the other tracks at the same time? Especially the track that plays the main riff chord parts? You never hear that one isolated.

[satriani32]

Dude, how did you get the master tracks?!, don't you need Stevie's permission or connections to get those?

[mandopiano]

Thanks for putting this out. There are so many cheezy "how to play" video clips with tons of improv and errors. Good to hear the real deal!

[paulallen34]

thanks for sharing man,pity we get sheet music showing these different clavinet parts

[felipesancho]

COOL, BUT SOUNDS LIKE CRAP

[NajeebJ]

@felipesancho hahahaha

[alexgowers]

ever heard of screen capture and audio capture software. I have the parts to and seriously you seem to just cause a mess, they are so much tighter than your version.

[joelscott82]

Wow !!! the mystery revealed at last.

[ledwatch]

what the heck is up with the audio midrange on this video, it is painful to listen to!

[amd77j]

Man, I've always wondered about that classic and you finally solved the mystery for me. Thanks!!!!

[Dzoni73]

this idiot is barging for nothing... whole reel is available on torrents.

[boogie504]

@Dzoni73 Whats barging?

[jamesmarkolson]

@Dzoni73 thanx didnt know this!!

[mercuteio]

Oh my frickin' word! Dude, you hold the key to the pearly, funky gates of St. Stevie!

Thanks dude!

[rockdfunk]

that was freakin awesome, you got some nice friends!

[TheSYNTHOID]

Mmmmm There's no Clavinet like the "C" version.

[Cds56]

@TheSYNTHOID There's not no version like the D6 neither.

[BludStatic123]

what do you get to separate tracks like that

[FreePantsRations]

Brother - how can I get a copy of these masters??

x

[samkwiek]

stevie the monster!!!

[TadRapidly]

Thank you for the funkscription! May all your days have an element of funk.

[HypeRhymz]

the mystery is he overdubbed the track. record one track, then go back and play another track the go back and play another one. duh!!

[mattcol99]

how about giving us each of the 8 parts separately? And recorded directly, not through a camcorder mic? (amazing stuff, by the way!)

[kourganboy]

Anyway ...8 parts are too many :)

[precisionification]

yeah great , not ! any one would know thats a multi layered riff as he plays with a big band , donut. boy

[SupaFunk361]

"Stevie's Clavinet playing cannot be copied - it can barely be understood."

Now that's some truth.

[Muzikman127]

How did you get the masters???

[gafferphone]

stevie actually played the drums in superstition!

[ETBX1]

Cool! I would love to have a program to break down music to its layers like that. It would be cool if you could break down I Wish (whose layers are a bunch of different instruments instead of the Clavinet), and then be able to change all of them to Clavinet, so that song would sound like this one!

[ETBX1]

Cool! I would love to have a program to break down music to its layers like that. It would be cool if you could break down I Wish (whose layers are a bunch of different instruments instead of the Claviniet), and then be able to change all of them to Clavinet, so that song would sound like this one!

[stonelenny]

Great, but can't you show the parts separated instead of progressively layering, using solo switches? It's a bit confusing.

[darkstatehk]

Stevie has got 3 pairs of hands! We knew that already :)

[BassDude50000]

hey dude where do u get the master tracks for songs?

[darkstatehk]

@BassDude50000 google / torrent search it. It your search it, they will come.

[RascalXmas]

@BassDude50000 Funkscribe wont tell people but it's everywhere on bit torrent. just search for it.

[pmcnally777]

At 3:39, that clav lick is amazing! =)

[noteon]

Too great. Can you solo those against a click?

[kabiri3000]

Thanks for sharing, great stuff....but yo! Where did u get those masters from??? I question whether all of those clav parts are is used in the final mix of the record too. I knew he multiftracked but I didn't think it was THAT MANY!

[FunkClav]

Hey Funkdude. Just 2 parts.... better luck next time.

[funkscribe]

"parts" can be misconstrued- it is two different licks, but different pickups and effects tacked onto them. word.

[Philydred]

A dam genuis

[RFDlic]

That most important thing for Stevie is, to leave out the thumbs as far as possible ;D

[samkwiek]

woooow how do you do that 1 instrument at time please tell me

[bloggybloggerson]

The worst part is that Stevie plays the main Clav bit with his LEFT hand, not his right (or both) as I've always assumed...

[sayedi100]

stevie doesnt play this all at once. there are about 3 recordings made on top of each other......its physically impossible to play all six parts at once, but still amazin!!!!!

[itmsjim]

No way, I think Stevie has ten hands and 100 fingers. He did play them all at once and I'm sticking to it. Of course, he didn't...did you really have to point that out??

[FlorkFlark]

No way dude! He doesn't have 10 fingers per hand. Maybe fifty fingers total.

[bloggybloggerson]

And, hearing this multitrack version illuminates that the segue into "Big Brother" on the album was done at the 2-track editing / mastering stage, as there's no evidence of the latter song whatsoever on the take. So, anyway, it CAN be played live with only 2 clavinet players... as long as they're both Stevie Fucking Wonder!

[bloggybloggerson]

1. Kick 2 & 3. Overheads (or submix of OHs and close mic's? Sounds pretty fat for just OHs...) 4. Moog Bass 5. Vocal 6. Vocal 2 7. Horns 8. Horns 2 9. Clavinet 1 DI (the part you hear first) 10. Clavinet 1 through wah, DI 11. Clavinet 1 through mic'd amp? 12. Clavinet 1 through wah, mic'd amp? 13. Clavinet 2, DI (enters 15 seconds in) 14. Clavinet 2 through a wah, DI 15. Clavinet 1 echo, 100% wet 16. Clavinet 2 echo, 100% wet

[bloggybloggerson]

Unfortunately, the multitrack bootleg that circulates is of such poor quality (sounding inexplicably 8-bit?!) that it's tough to hear the differences between clav tracks... There are exactly 16 tracks altogether, which would have been state of the art for Electric Lady Studios in 1972. I'm guessing the mystery clavinet tracks were recorded through amplifiers, or processed through the filter(s) of the Tonto Synthesizer?

[bloggybloggerson]

As far as I can tell, even though there are 8 tracks of clavinet, there are only 2 main clavinet performances. Then there is 1 track of echo for each. One of the main parts was split off into a wah pedal (but the wah was not swept until long after the fade out). The 3 remaining mystery tracks are exactly the same performance as the 2 main bits, but with different tonal qualities; as though they were able to record separately each of the clavinet's pickups' outputs...

[sherhasharim]

True genius....thanks for revealing the mystery that has eluded many of us for more than 35 years.

[husq48]

Yea, there's no way this can be played live w/all the parts!

[misisipimike]

Nice job,man. thanks for breaking this down for the world to enjoy

[snafunewhaven]

great job, you should try some terry adams from nrbq

[scarramouche]

cool ;)

[djsmithy]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing those masters.

Its a shame that few multitrack masters are available to public,

if this were to change it would be a producers wet dream,

and djs could make much more interesting mixes, and remixes,

by using something like ableton live.

Mixing 2 tracks together has been done for decades, its time to go a whole world

further and maximize the potential of mixing.

[RFDlic]

if this were to change it would be a producers wet dream,...

Not only the producers, also the musicians.

Even less people will spend a dime for them. The kids will give all their money to computer-editors.

Hide those tapes, burn them, and let the copy-idiots starve.

[jamesthegreat999]

I've got the same tracks - there isn't 8 parts, there's just three actual recordings. They are just recorded in stereo, so he compiles three performances and then the last tracks are the stereo bounce of the delay.

[funkscribe]

yes, parts & tracks should not be confused here.

[learjeff1]

@jamesthegreat999 Right: 3 parts. I have the tracks separated (don't remember where I got them), and there are definitely 3 different parts. The set I have also include a drum take that wasn't used. (They're 5 or 6 stereo seps, not all individual original tracks, and don't seem to be just what Funkscribe has here.)

[thedirtydeltas]

Cheers this is very interesting thanks,what did you use to separate them in Pro Tools is their something similar of logic?

[dfrabens]

After hearing this the only thing that would impress me more would be to see Stevie drive. (sorry Eddie)

[SamLeChiq]

ummm... is it possible for you to let us actually hear the clave parts "seperately" please...not all of us are Mozarts on here.... :) thank you!!

[aiptekvideos]

Is there a MIDI track for each individual part?

[rubbadub92]

Surely theres a part that incorporates a few of the six. Because he has to be able to play something similarly thick-textured live. Or would he have 6-8 players on stage? Think about it.

[joshissquashed]

you're an idiot

[rubbadub92]

am not!

[rymand7]

theres always 2 keyboard players on stage when he does it live

[thrillburn79]

Yeah individually please. Eternally grateful etc.

Wow 6 Clav parts! I love this sort of information.

Thanks for Sharing.

[paulallen34]

great stuff man really loved it,id love to learn LADY MADONNA the way paul plays it these days

[careroncha]

guaton culiao no tocai ni el timbre pero igual buen tema

[IsrealFloresto]

hve you got the multi track to the greatest funk song of all

'you haven't done nothing'

 its killer complicated especially the intro

he must be running his hands down the black keys or somthin

[w7nter]

Ah thanks for the video Funkscribe... educational. It's good to see these masters getting out, maybe we can learn some things and make better recordings.

[katylewis7]

Im studying Music Technology at my college and we are using this song and it's individual tracks for the listening skills class, it's a great song to study. I thought the drums were recorded using one kick drum mic and two overheads, or one at the high hat and one on the snare because they both pick up the other drums plainly, the kick drum mic is mainly isolated to the kick with faint pick ups of the other drums (but you can definitely hear them)

[rickmatousek]

pretty cool to hear it broken down like that.. I have tried to play it (with only two hands) and my attempts always sounded lame to me, no matter what I tried. I would try it this way then that, but I could never get it just right. Just shows how great Stevie is....my brother once told me that he always felt if God were to come down here and make music, it would sound like Stevie Wonder. What a talent.

[nailosity]

Cool ass stuff, yo. I'd have liked to hear each track one at a time - but it's still funky ass s##t! Thanks for posting. :)

[davidchoimusic]

I'll trade you Bee Gee's Staying Alive for that session!

Let me know, email me! davidchoimusic @ gmail

David

[krambishmo]

Yes there are 8 tracks of clavinet on the master, but 4 of them are all the same take of the main riff but with different EQ, 1 is the same take again with Space Echo. The other 3 tracks are all the same take of a counter rhythm: 2 have different EQ and the other has Space Echo. So you only need 4 hands to play it and not 16!!

[learjeff1]

@krambishmo There are clearly 3 different parts. Two of them might be one-hand parts, though.

[wado1942]

@learjeff1 There's only two Clav parts. One of them is on four tracks, using a different capture technique, the other is on two tracks. That makes six tracks, leaving two more tracks for for echo returns or eight total. In fact, even though all sixteen tracks of the tape were used, one could easily eliminate half of them and not miss a thing.

[arsenal2k7]

does anyone know if anyone has attempted to individually transcribe all the pieces to sheet music?

im going to record this song for my A-level coursework and really want to do it perfectly

[dopemcee]

how on earth does someone get their hand onto stevies MASTER recording??

you just happened onto it??

hmmm

[itmsjim]

dopemcee, how do you know he's not sitting in the back room of the studio where it was recorded? Sounds like it's been around because even colleges have it to study the breakdown.

[shydmples]

Man, this was TIGHT

[Popoldabboy]

I also have it , we remixed this track in studio with my teacher, a great sound engineer.

[Captnuendo]

How the fuck did you get this master multitrack??????????? did you buy it?

[andrecarioni]

Probably yet another relese of Todd's from Denver, CO

[rockhills]

Please explain who Todd from Denver is?

[jonhickman123]

haha who dares adds 8 clav parts and actually makes it work?....stevie

[jonhickman123]

ps you sick MOFO for getting hold of that!

[mr10pm]

Wow! This is incredible to listen to. I wish you'd dissect "Higher Ground" from the Innervisions album, it has some spooky funkiness that has always made me baffle-goobed!

[Mokomokai1]

mean

[OZilla612]

i got that multitrack too

multitrack masters ftw

[0789pmr]

Incredible video! If anyone feels charitable, hit me up with the raw tracks!

[jqpaxton]

Holy crap!!! I've been hoping for years that the raw tracks for this tune would get leaked some day, but I never thought it would actually happen! Thanks, funkscribe, for the video, and thanks to whoever put the raw tracks out there! I'm off to do me some transcribin' and larnin'...

[alelakes]

ok, I got them, and really... reaaaally listened to them (at the same time on a multitrack program). If you pay attention there are not 8 different clavinets, there are only 2!!! the first one is repeated 5 times (each with different equalization and one of them is the delay), and the second one is repeated 3 times (2 with different EQ and the third also a delay). Can't wait to learn it.

[funkscribe]

There are 8 tracks, not 8 parts- you are correct.

[pirahnahead]

and I was gonna say the same thing... But add one thing...Does anyone know what stevie had that day for lunch?

[turntapzap]

You are 100% correct.

[cliffkast]

Yep, this is true. Only 2 separate parts.

[alelakes]

niiice, how could I get the multitracks? could you send them to me somehow?

[funkscribe]

these are worth their weight in gold homie- they are like the holy grail of funky clavitude.

[SilentServiceCode]

@funkscribe not really, you can get them on the internet.

[MusicandAnarchy]

@funkscribe And because they are electronic, and therefore weigh next to nothing, I will give you $1 worth of gold for them

[coolramone]

@MusicandAnarchy LoL!

[droopusmaximus]

@alelakes ROFL, sure, no problem. Hey I could send you the multis for Abbey Road too...what's your address? (</sarcasm>)

[groovygarden88]

@alelakes They're freely available on the web along with quite a few more intriguing tracks (some Beatles stuff, a Christina Anguilera track and a few more) just give it a search in Google, they're on many-a-forum...

[tuhsdxas]

@groovygarden88 I've looked all over and can't find a solid place to download these. I don't want to have to pay for them. If you're so sure these are available online can you give me a good link to it?

[philster61]

Ohhhhhh man.. Stevie is the dogs bollocks on this.4 parts??? Wow.I only thought there were2.But its not just the amount.Its the sheer feel and groove of each part.

Thanks Funkscribe.I play this song a lot and I seriously need to re-examine how I do it.

[Wagimawr]

Awesome, I love these multis :D Maybe a version of this video with annotations instead of talking is in order?

If it gets ripped down, it'll get ripped down whether or not you talk over everything; might as well make the most of it. ;)

[xanderer]

Mystery is an understatement! This has been like a white whale for me. Can you do a vid with a verse of each of the tracks in isolation? I'm still trying to wrap my head around what those echo/delayed tracks sound like all the way through. Thanks!

[hijklmnop06]

God this is sooo dope,my momma struggled 4 ever learning what was missing when she played this on piano. This is hell dope,ur a lucky guy to have these in urs hands

[funkscribe]

thanks for tuning in...

[dhampex]

Sorry 4 part clav. Thank Goodness for Hohner company and the picked the ight person to sponsor "Stevie".

[dhampex]

OOOOOOHhhhwweeee. Its good to get the 2 inch reel master copy of that. Same here I never knew there was 8,, I thought at least 3. That solves alot, Thanks for bridging the gap. Know I'm going to make me a 8 part clavinet song. Thanx a mill for that.

[theurge14]

Steve Wonder is epic.

[snidelywhiplash]

Nice. It might be instructive to break out each individual clav track and let us hear them separately, THEN combine them. Gives a better picture, I think, of how they fit together.

[funkscribe]

I'll see what I can do man...

[tommytimp]

That'll be like a 4 hour post. This is great work.

[doctrDave]

I was just going to ask how we know which tracks were used in the final mix, as often on multi-tracks there are lots of tracks that don't end up on the record. But vampidemic just gave a good answer, there were many tracks of only two actual performances. Even the mix engineer probably doesn't remember exactly which tracks he used. What's amazing is that as a pro keyboardist for 30 years, I've never heard anyone play the part on that first track like Stevie!!

[scottm1021]

i find it cool that there are only 3 drum tracks. in 8 clav tracks...

[aaronjreid]

INCREDIBLE!!!!!

[musicfreak21]

Oh man....What a treasure to have. Pure gold. This is song is pure funk. What an arrangement.

[Skyblueginger]

Nice one Funkscribe and comment from brother vampidemic some interesting lessons to be learnt on this vid.

[theycallmeaflat]

Nice...!!! I play that song in my band and I've always felt like I didn't have enough hands to play everything I was hearing... thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy. LOL

[FirstSecondFilms]

I felt the same way! I thought it was just me that couldn't figure out how to play this. Thanks, Funkscribe!

[JumpStop1]

yeah same here, i thought i just sucked at it. haha i thought 4 or 5 parts, not 8

[realthug101]

Can you do Bill withers "USE ME UP" THAT WAS THE BEST EVER

[Holidayfunk]

Thanks!!!!!

[LemonAndYoghurt]

where do yo get these original masters?

and do you havemasters of othe famous tracks as well?

I'd like to hear slave just a touch bass solo :)

[MackTheKnife12]

Oh no you didn't! Can you dissect some of Sly and The Family Stone's stuff, now that would be a treat!

[vampidemic]

But wait a minute brother Funkscribe... the amazing thing to learn here is that there are actually only TWO CLAVINET PARTS! Each part was recorded with two direct tracks, a mic'd track from an amp and an echo track --- four tracks for each of the two takes bring us to a total of 8 distinct tracks, however he only played twice. I used to think there were 3 or 4 parts done with overdubbing, but he's just working that D6 with each of his two hands on each of the two takes! Work it out Stevie!

[funkscribe]

vampidemic- you are a funkologist of the highest order!

[latababy44]

Thank God for you. This has totally opened doors for me in creating my own records, and i have ALWAYS wondered about that.... being a pro keyboard player inspired by Stevie. :)

[ModernSaxDotCom]

I don't know how you came up with that, but that is very cool.

would like to hear/see you do the same thing with a live recording of Superstition?

[DiscoMania]

I always thought the sound quality of the hi-hats sounded weak on this song in terms of clarity and depth. Thank you for providing the answer as to why (only 3 drum tracks).

But I'm glad so many tracks were devoted to Stevie's awesome clavinet playing.

[ghettopixiedust]

Nastyyyyyyyyyyy! There's only one Stevie Wonder! Nice job Funk!