User Manual

40
Stay By Me (Paloma Ramos and Jason Poyner; produced by Brian English)
This pop ballad consists of a lead vocal track by singer/songwriter Paloma Ramos with piano
accompaniment by co-writer Jason Poyner. Producer Brian English generated MIDI data from
Jason’s original keyboard performance and edited it for use as harmony control input to a single
instance of Harmony Engine Evo.
Brian used two of Harmony Engine Evo’s
MIDI modes for different harmony voicing
effects. In some sections, he used MIDI
Omni mode, which created harmony
voices at the exact pitches and ranges of
the MIDI data. In other sections, he used
Chord via MIDI mode, defining the harmony
notes by the MIDI data but controlling the
range and voicing of the harmony voices
with the Register and Spread controls.
In addition, Brian automated Harmony Engine
Evo’s Formant Only Freeze function at various
points in the arrangement to turn the harmony
voices into wordless backup parts.
THINGS TO TRY:
Open Harmony Engine Evo and watch its
response to automation as the song plays. Note
where it’s using MIDI Omni mode and where
it’s using Chord via MIDI mode. Listen for the
different harmony voicing effects.
Note the use of Formant Only Freeze and listen
to its effect.
Create alternate harmony voicings by modifying
the Register and Spread controls in the Chord
via MIDI sections.
Try using the Freeze functions in other parts of
the song.
Set Choir Size to 2 voices and engage it on
the Input Voice for automatic doubling of the
lead vocal. Experiment with the various Choir
settings to hear their effects.
Try completely reharmonizing the song:
Mute the piano part.
In Harmony Engine Evo, call up one of the
Chord Degrees or Cool Chords presets. Play the
song and use the Harmony Preset buttons to
experiment with different chord progressions.
To get really wacky, mute the original input in
Harmony Engine Evo and go crazy with the
chords.