Alright, first off, I'm new, so hello. Pretty new to Devy as well.

But I have a question. I've heard a lot about how many layers and tracks Devin piles up in his songs to make that wall of sound. Just how many layers are we talking here? Just how many different tracks and instruments can find themselves in his songs? Does anyone know? I'm just curious.

This could have been asked before, but the search function is never the noob's friend... [/i]

And I have no idea regarding your question

Very good question. I hope an answer finds its way here soon...

A lot of that wall of sound kind of production comes from heavy compression too.

What exactly is the compression doing to the sound, then? I'm afraid the concept of compression has been lost on me. Does it just make it sound more distorted, or something else?

I think I read in an interview with Gene Hoglan that one SYL song had 108 layers.

compression makes the loud bits quieter and the quieter bits louder

who cares how many identical guitar layers there are? dont tell me you do

I care. I think it's interesting.

I'd like to know how many layers of rythm guitar the man lays down. Panning, compression...

Or I could just fuck off.

Don't fuck off. That's a legitimate question. It sure beats fucking ranking the albums one more goddamn time! Or, listing our favorite fucking tracks (wherein every other person indicates that this is only their favorite today and they'll have new faves tomorrow).

Yes, let's discuss something different for a change. No fucking off now

From what I have heard he uses all the tracks that he can. I am pretty sure Pro Tools virtually tracks a little over a hundred tracks at a time so at a time. Also it is obvious he is using a lot of compression on everything he does.
I have also heard that he carried around a tape recorder for an entire year in order to come up with Terria. He just recorded noises and ideas or whatever in between all the layers compressing the shit out out of them so they come out smoothly under the music. Anyways i don't know anything about Devin and his recording process for sure, but somebody around here should.
As well, when it comes to layering guitars and such look into opeth a little maybe. They are a little more specific on the way they layer and Dev's stuff seems similarly genius just with a less of subtle and much more backround noise.

I want to know this as well. I do believe an "Ask Devin" section needs to be made

I want to know this as well. I do believe an "Ask Devin" section needs to be made

Ask Tracy would be the place for it... she can ask Devin... and report.

he uses exactly one hundred and forty nine layers of guitar for every single section of every single song

he uses exactly one hundred and forty nine layers of guitar for every single section of every single song

In other words, no one should care because you don't and if you don't no one should, because you think it's not important and therefore is not important and you desperately need to tell us that you feel this way?