LAYERS: Digging Deep Into Rare Times' "No One's Looking Out"

This week’s LAYERS brings us the smooth and nostalgic sounds of Los Angeles’ Rare Times. Releasing the Missionary EP off the newly formed Feel So Real imprint, Rare Times presents a sound reminiscent of the atmospheric vibes of 80s disco combined with soulful melodies.

The EP’s single “No One’s Looking Out” feels as though it was found on classic radio on a ride through a balmy Los Angeles night. Or perhaps at Velvet, with smoke billowing in every corner. Read below to find out how Rare Times achieved their classic sound through the use of analog drum machines and pedals, and some digital sampling.

Bass:

Borrowed my friend’s Moog Little Phatty, rented a Universal Audio 1176 limiter and Chandler Germanium preamp and ran it through a Moog Parametric EQ from the 70s. We ended up using the same chain for vocals.

Tuning Fork:

I recorded a tuning fork with my Sony TCM 200 and later made it into a Sampler instrument in Ableton. Anthony used the patch for the demo and we decided to keep it. I like the TCM 200 because it has a really wide pitch control and a half speed switch on the front, really useful for sudden pitch shifts and other cool effects.

Dad Tape Kit:

I was going through a box of my dad’s old cassettes and found a recording of his Roland TR-626 going through a Boss DD-2 into a Tascam Portastudio. The timbales on the 626 are the perfect blend of latin and industrial. This part was inspired by Yello, playful yet hard.

Drum Mix:

The main kick and clap track is my Roland MKS-7 (rack-mount version of a Juno 106 and TR-707) running through a UA 1176 and Chandler Germanium. I layered samples of my TR-505 for the clap and my friend’s Sequential Circuits Drumtrax for the shaker and tambourine.

Rain:

I buried it under the verses for some extra mood. Recorded on my Roland R-09HR.

Flange Tom:

Recorded Chris playing toms and ran it through an analog flanger pedal. I turned the modulation down so it works more like a resonant filter.

Phil’s Island Chord:

Chord sampled from pitched down vinyl playing in reverse. The weird release and crackles add constant movement to the track.

Kristy Pad:

Marcus showed me this old acapella, we pitched it up high and used it as a pad. Thin female vocals are always great to play with.

Put them all together and here's what you get. “No One's Looking Out” by Rare Times

@justinstaple

Previously on LAYERS: Opening The Doors Of CENOB1TE’s “Hyperion”