Axl Voice

[Gnrcane]

On 11/28/2024 at 7:50 PM, Gordon Comstock said:

I've seen some singers use effects throughout a show and always thought it was lame. A song, or a chorus here or there, that's fine, but Axl would need more than that...

The better option is to re-structure the setlist, utilize Duff and Melissa, and take longer breaks between shows. Why couldn't there be a slot in the setlist for an Axl/Duff duet? Raw Power would be cool, or So Fine, even Dust N Bones or You Ain't The First. He could duet with Melissa on Shackler's or Locomotive.

At this point nobody should be expecting decent performances of Jungle, November Rain, etc but Axl could definitely still improve the shows without AI or effects. Also, bring back the pyro lol.

The problem with longer breaks between shows is that it screws up the logistics and financials of the tour.  If you spread out too much then the promoter is wasting money leasing equipment for longer than necessary.

[alfa75]

On 11/29/2024 at 3:02 PM, Voodoochild said:

Axl always used compression and reverb for some songs, even when he was singing really good (My Michelle at the Download Festival 2006, for example). But that alone isn't altering his timbre. It's just that his singing style needs a compensation for the lower volume approach to sing high notes - this isn't only for Axl, it's a singing technique to not force your vocal cords to push for the higher notes. 

But using AI is a different thing altogether. It's in fact altering the fundamental characteristics of his current voice, and it's not naturally enhancing what he's actually doing. It's not that different than lipsync or using autotune, IMO. Feels like cheating.   

You can use AI however you decide to use it. "AI" is not as one dimensional as you make it sound.

If it were his intention, it's absolutely possible to assist him in sounding like peak Axl. Whether or not that is desirable, ethical, genuine whatever is another topic, but it IS technically achievable.

[allwaystired]

Does anyone genuinely expect Axl to sound like he did in 1991? Really? 

I don't think they do, if they're honest with themselves. 

[jacdaniel]

If the voice is really that important, it is probably best to stick to the albums or the old shows.  
The same applies for guitars. If you want note for note guitar solos, just listen to the studio work. 
 

Live music shouldn’t be about perfection. I just want the band to have fun and energy and play the songs. I’m usually too busy enjoying it to over analyse the vocals and solos

[Karice]

9 minutes ago, jacdaniel said:

If the voice is really that important, it is probably best to stick to the albums or the old shows.  
The same applies for guitars. If you want note for note guitar solos, just listen to the studio work. 
 

Live music shouldn’t be about perfection. I just want the band to have fun and energy and play the songs. I’m usually too busy enjoying it to over analyse the vocals and solos

Posters said that they like that Current/Recent Axl looks like and sounds  like he is having fun at live shows. 🥰

[ZoSoRose]

You can still get a good show in- person as of 2023. The Fenway show I saw was great. Axl was even very acceptable. Not saying I need a proshot, but with stadium reverb, the backing vocals, and him hitting some of the high notes, it was well worth it

Hollywood Bowl was rough

[VampireSoul]

I detest any kind of effects on vocals, I'll take Mickey over that any day

[Gordon Comstock]

On 12/12/2024 at 6:07 PM, Gnrcane said:

The problem with longer breaks between shows is that it screws up the logistics and financials of the tour.  If you spread out too much then the promoter is wasting money leasing equipment for longer than necessary.

 

The 3-4 day breaks between shows is good, but they're still touring for 2+ solid months at a time. It seems like it would be easier on Axl if they  tour for a few weeks or a month at a time, then take a break. The shows at the beginning of the Europe and NA legs last year seemed fine but the shows near the end were a lot rougher, if taking a break for a few weeks during a tour means Axl is more consistent and doesn't burn himself out, that seems like something they should try...

[©GnrPersia]

1 hour ago, VampireSoul said:

I detest any kind of effects on vocals, I'll take Mickey over that any day

I disagree. But you're lucky since Axl strongly dislikes effects too. Otherwise he would have been using it since a decade ago.

[WhazUp]

I enjoyed Axl at the San DIego show I saw last year - yeah it wasn't close to even 2016 levels when I saw them then but you know what?  In the moment, in person, Axl still puts on a hell of a show and you forgive the vocal thinness he can have a lot times because he is still hitting the notes and IMO its not as a horrid of a situation as some make it out to me

[lame ass security]

1 hour ago, Gordon Comstock said:

 

The 3-4 day breaks between shows is good, but they're still touring for 2+ solid months at a time. It seems like it would be easier on Axl if they  tour for a few weeks or a month at a time, then take a break. The shows at the beginning of the Europe and NA legs last year seemed fine but the shows near the end were a lot rougher, if taking a break for a few weeks during a tour means Axl is more consistent and doesn't burn himself out, that seems like something they should try...

What you're saying makes sense, but from a logistics standpoint it's more difficult. 

[Tyson]

I wonder if any modern medical remedies could help his vocals.  Hmmm

[evilfacelessturtle]

57 minutes ago, ©GnrPersia said:

I disagree. But you're lucky since Axl strongly dislikes effects too. Otherwise he would have been using it since a decade ago.

He's used them more in the studio post UYI, though. Oh My God, The General, Monsters, Love to Love, I'm sure I'm forgetting others.

[Aussiegun]

He just needs to sing songs that suit his lower register, even if it means not singing some of the more popular songs..

[Voodoochild]

On 12/14/2024 at 9:25 AM, alfa75 said:

You can use AI however you decide to use it. "AI" is not as one dimensional as you make it sound.

If it were his intention, it's absolutely possible to assist him in sounding like peak Axl. Whether or not that is desirable, ethical, genuine whatever is another topic, but it IS technically achievable.

It's exactly the same topic I was talking about. Of course it is technically achievable. It's just not his voice anymore. 

[evilfacelessturtle]

36 minutes ago, Voodoochild said:

It's exactly the same topic I was talking about. Of course it is technically achievable. It's just not his voice anymore. 

That depends on how you use it. Adding reverb or delay doesn't mean it's not his voice anymore. Adding a light distortion wouldn't mean it's not his voice.

[©GnrPersia]

19 hours ago, evilfacelessturtle said:

He's used them more in the studio post UYI, though. Oh My God, The General, Monsters, Love to Love, I'm sure I'm forgetting others.

I was talking concerts.

[Voodoochild]

16 hours ago, evilfacelessturtle said:

That depends on how you use it. Adding reverb or delay doesn't mean it's not his voice anymore. Adding a light distortion wouldn't mean it's not his voice.

Those are different IMO. Even if he uses a digital reverb or delay, it's still basically an analogue process to try to enhance its voice, not to alter his voice. It's very much like an autotune to me -AI changes would essentially result in cheating to most of people, including myself. 

Also, in practical terms, people would slam him. Everything that have been using AI these days would be criticized. 

[evilfacelessturtle]

3 hours ago, Voodoochild said:

Those are different IMO. Even if he uses a digital reverb or delay, it's still basically an analogue process to try to enhance its voice, not to alter his voice. It's very much like an autotune to me -AI changes would essentially result in cheating to most of people, including myself. 

Also, in practical terms, people would slam him. Everything that have been using AI these days would be criticized. 

Any effect is altering something, and whether it enhances it or not is subjective. I think some distortion would enhance it. No different to a reverb or distortion effect on a guitar.

Besides, he gets slammed for his mickey voice already.

Edited December 16, 2024 by evilfacelessturtle

[Sweersa]

I'd prefer hearing natural Axl over enhanced Axl. I realize the studio applies some magic. The big question is what is reasonable? Good studio work shouldn't be noticeable. 

[Voodoochild]

53 minutes ago, evilfacelessturtle said:

Any effect is altering something, and whether it enhances it or not is subjective. I think some distortion would enhance it. No different to a reverb or distortion effect on a guitar.

Besides, he gets slammed for his mickey voice already.

Sure it's subjective. Music is subjective, it's what defines if it's good or bad. But again, this is not oversaturation, modulation or compression using an original performance audio clip. It's digitally altering the performance by adding stuff. IMO, it's cheating. 

Nonetheless, I'm being realistic by using common sense. Do you really think if Axl used AI it wouldn't have an even worse backlash? 

 

[evilfacelessturtle]

2 hours ago, Voodoochild said:

Sure it's subjective. Music is subjective, it's what defines if it's good or bad. But again, this is not oversaturation, modulation or compression using an original performance audio clip. It's digitally altering the performance by adding stuff. IMO, it's cheating. 

Nonetheless, I'm being realistic by using common sense. Do you really think if Axl used AI it wouldn't have an even worse backlash? 

This would also be using the original live performance signal. AI doesn't have to be used to replace something entirely. It can also be used similarly to distortion, and mixed in at whatever strength you desire.

But if you're one of those "my opinions are common sense" types then I'm probably wasting my breath.

[Tom2112]

3 hours ago, Voodoochild said:

Sure it's subjective. Music is subjective, it's what defines if it's good or bad. But again, this is not oversaturation, modulation or compression using an original performance audio clip. It's digitally altering the performance by adding stuff. IMO, it's cheating. 

Nonetheless, I'm being realistic by using common sense. Do you really think if Axl used AI it wouldn't have an even worse backlash? 

 

Using AI to enhance his voice in the studio or live would absolutely bring a backlash. He's better off singing naturally and sounding the way he sounds, for better or worse AND if he can't take the criticisms then he should know it's time to step away from consistent touring. This idea of masking his voice? I just don't get it and it's not why I go to see bands live. I want to hear the musicians playing live and actually playing and singing, warts and all. Seems people are less and less concerned with that and just want this hybrid of live and playback so they can hear it just like the record, insanity.

[Voodoochild]

41 minutes ago, evilfacelessturtle said:

This would also be using the original live performance signal. AI doesn't have to be used to replace something entirely. It can also be used similarly to distortion, and mixed in at whatever strength you desire.

But if you're one of those "my opinions are common sense" types then I'm probably wasting my breath.

No man, I'm just stating my opinion about the whole stuff. The common sense part is to consider how the public and critics would react. Even here in this thread you can see that most of users didn't really care for the possibility. 

Also, as I mentioned, its not about replacing it entirely, but adding stuff on top of it. 

1 minute ago, Tom2112 said:

Using AI to enhance his voice in the studio or live would absolutely bring a backlash. He's better off singing naturally and sounding the way he sounds, for better or worse AND if he can't take the criticisms then he should know it's time to step away from consistent touring. This idea of masking his voice? I just don't get it and it's not why I go to see bands live. I want to hear the musicians playing live and actually playing and singing, warts and all. Seems people are less and less concerned with that and just want this hybrid of live and playback so they can hear it just like the record, insanity.

I agree. But I think people who are ok to hear playback artists are more from the pop side. 

[Tom2112]

On 12/14/2024 at 10:45 PM, Gordon Comstock said:

 

The 3-4 day breaks between shows is good, but they're still touring for 2+ solid months at a time. It seems like it would be easier on Axl if they  tour for a few weeks or a month at a time, then take a break. The shows at the beginning of the Europe and NA legs last year seemed fine but the shows near the end were a lot rougher, if taking a break for a few weeks during a tour means Axl is more consistent and doesn't burn himself out, that seems like something they should try...

Hard to know, but one thing is for sure when Axl takes a break he doesn't come back refreshed vocally, he's out of practice and not performance ready. They could just limit it to two shows a week. Weekend shows only like Metallica. There is no reason for then to be stacking shows so close together at their age