ABBA's Secret - The SOUND | Michael B. Tretow
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
- Today, we dive into the secrets of ABBA’s sound. We celebrate the 79th Birthday of ABBA’s sound engineer Michael B. Tretow, who is one of the most important parts of their soundscape, arguably the fifth member of ABBA - and a marvellous magician? Let’s try to explore the indescribable ABBA sound, by looking at facts, and marvelling at miracles.
0:00 Intro
0:39 The Secrets of Michael B. Tretow
5:10 A Legendary Trio
6:56 More Secrets - Polar & the Times
8:35 Precision vs. Feeling - Agnetha & Frida
10:19 The Legacy of ABBA & Tretow
12:44 The Wonder of ABBA
14:02 Outro
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Written, narrated, recorded & edited by Bobby’s Brother.
Bobby's Brother on Instagram: / bobbysbrother72
#abba #voyage #tretow
*PLEASE NOTE*
• 4:14 Michael B. Tretow did not use an actual sequencer on "The Day Before You Came". He achieved a similar effect by electronic means. Thanks to Groenalund for pointing that out.
Thank you all for watching. This video was very important for me to make. Special thanks go out to those who watch until the end. Big hugs from BB!
Correct! From what I’ve read, he used a compressor gate that was triggered by the snare drum to create the stabbing keyboard sounds, based off of Benny’s long padded chords.
I recall an interview of him describing the recording of TDBYC.All the devastating atmosphere in the studio,Agnetha,and the whole sad feeling that everyone felt inside concluding that this was the end......until...
Sequencers ARE electronic. 😬
Michael B. Tretow is a genius. As George Martin was in essence the “fifth” Beatle, Michael was the fifth member of ABBA. The love he had for music and especially ABBA’s music showed in his work. I was really looking forward to this video. Well done and thank you!…Happy Birthday Mr. Tretow!😊
He had said in an interview that no matter with how many other artists he had worked with,when it came to Abba there was such a magic he felt no where else to be found.
What a tribute. With all that went on from 2021 onwards he was a bit forgotten.
I did, on hearing Voyage on release night say, “Tretow is missing from Voyage”, but then I was being selfish.
Michael was supposed to produce Agnetha’s “My Colouring Book” and I believe his fragile health even delayed that release somewhat.
The man was a genius, I do hope he is well and will see this beautifully, carefully, and respectfully put together video.
Mr. Tretow, if you read my message having seen Bobby’s wonderful tribute, you’ll make contact.
Respect to the best sound engineer in the history of the recorded sound.
To my mind, Michael is definitely the 5th Member of ABBA - his contribution to the absolute uniqueness of the ABBA Sound cannot be overstated, and I will forever be grateful to him!!! And I agree with Benny 100%, without the Ladies and the Third Voice, there would be no ABBA Sound - how blessed we are to be alive to experience this magic!!! Happy Birthday, Michael!!!
The best component of Abba: Agnetha and Frida's voices, Benny's musica, Bjorn lyrics and Michael Treatow, you're right, Bobby!! Excellent description
Agnetha & Frida's voices and their well calculated, unique harmony arrangements (and that euphoric three part harmony especially) cannot be emphasised enough as a pivotal part of their sound! Their voices are vital instruments that in my mind is the absolute magic to the ABBA sound.
I once showed someone on piano how Agnetha and Frida harmonized with each other and how different that was from most of what you hear in most music. And that they would change the harmonic intervals in the sane song seamlessly.
@@danstone8783 wow, that was such a cool idea. i would love to have seen you do that. i've been trying to pay attention to the harmonies that they so beautifully sang, but for me it's an extremely difficult task.
but i do love the way their third voice adds such a dynamic option to their sound. add that to agnetha doing lead, then frida doing lead, then bjorn doing lead and even benny {'suzy hang around'} doing his part, this creates a multi vocal sound for this outstanding group.
for me this is, in part, the charm of abba.
whereas most groups have one lead singer so their songs invariably and inevitably sound so similar.
love and peace to you and all,
xxxxxxx
@booh yes and that's a reason why ,no Abba cover can beat the original.This vocal unison is utopic.
@@christianoazzuro6711 hear hear. although i must say cher did an amazing job of 'fernando' and came closer than anyone else.
do you agree?
@@frankl34798 I DO AGREE!CHER did such a decent job and strangely enough all songs fit prrrfectly her voice.Unbelievable.
Happy birthday to mister Tretow !
What a magician of sound ! It's right.
With him, the sound of ABBA was rich and unique.
Thank you
Always much love and respect for Michael B. Tretow !
Nice tribute to a man who was indescribably important to the creation of the ABBA sound and, as we know through Carl Magnus Palms work, equally as important in saving and catergorising Benny & Bjorns output. Many songs aquired working titles from Michael so they could be stored and returned to later. As much as I love the Voyage album, I've strongly felt Michael missing from the project made it a different animal to the previous ABBA albums.I hope he is keeping well and knows how much the fan community appreciates all his hard work over the years.
Sound engineers really are the unsung heroes of our favourite records. The Beatles would not have captured their ideas without Geoff Emerick; Pink Floyd would not have sounded so spacious and grand without Alan Parsons.
And you are absolutely right - ABBA without Tretow would not have sounded so rich and majestic. The stars really did align for all the components of ABBA (including their fantastic session and touring musicians) to come together so perfectly!
The point about Angetha and Frida's voices is so true. There are a number of good and even great tribute bands around but none have come close to reproducing the vocal quality and uniqueness of these two ladies.
Thank you for bringing Mr.Tretow to our attention! I am a longtime fan of ABBA's music but didn't know about their recording processes. He must be a genius in his craft, to be so essential to the creation of ABBA's music!
Happy birthday Michael!
So good to see this tribute to Michael Tretow, he really deserves it!
Amazingly well done tribute to Michael B. Tretow and his great contribution, invaluable work.
MT had the best material in his hands (ABBA) and was charismatic enough to know how to built the miracle.I love him.Wish him the best and i'm grateful for his offering.
I'm always surprised by how well Frida and Agnetha blend at the live Eurovision performance. It's one of the most perfect third voice examples I've heard.
Yes, all real singing.
@@AGNETHAFALTSK0G And they must have been super nervous too. I think that impresses me the most!
Their voices always were the perfect blend, fantastic singers !
@@Stefan- and even live amaing voices just brilliant those 2 were no joke just amazing vocalists
no such thing as 'the most perfect'. It is either perfect or not.
a magnificent BRAVO is due to the masterful Michael B Tretow for certain, thanks Bobby's B ~ you're an astute, knowledgeable observer and commentator. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michael B Tretow.🎉
Herzliche Glückwünsche, Michael B Tretow! And thank you, BB, for honoring his legacy. Now I have some homework to do.;)
Awesome. Michael gave an interview (see UA-cam) talking abouth about the girls.
Diring this interview he gave Frida to most impressive compliment a vocalist could receive. He was talking about how the balanced, support (breathing) throughout her wide range. Full, round, warm timbre, etc... He ended with calling Frida's voice "hi-fi" (high-fidelity)!
Nicely done. A very very deserved tribute and thank you. Happy Birthday Michael
Glad you enjoyed it!
Michael Tretow was a huge factor in the sound of ABBA. This may not be a popular opinion but It’s why their last album Voyage was missing a certain something; a sparkle, a creativity. Even though there were some good songs and great vocals the production just wasn’t the same. Having said that I am very grateful for the album.
Hello BB ,ABBA a phenomenon that are timeless, but time and place were the elements required for what would happen and of course each member crucial for their genesis and evolution .Bjorn and Benny for their masterful creativity of lyrics and music ,Agnetha and Annifrids perfect and beautiful vocals that singularly were angelic but together inspired as the 3rd voice of ABBA ,but just as important and critical was the arrangements and production ,enter Michael B Tretow ,the wizard that wove his magic with his craftsmanship and inspired ideas to put the eternal timeless sparkle and complex depth to the songs that even now cannot be unravelled,nor replicated .He is the 5th element in this phenomenon and i wish him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and thankyou for the music Michael B Tretow.
The ultimate missing piece of Voyage…. How I missed his “magic touch” in Voyage album !!!
So do i.
Me too.
I said this from the beginning. Some disagree with me but, as a music producer and singer point of view, I noticed right away...
Great job BB! You truly managed to describe the indescribable. Michael's magical and masterly work for ABBA is part of the reason their music will be played forever.
A huge factor in the Abba sound! Respect!
Thanks for highlighting Michaels, not only contribution but decisive impact on ABBAs huge success! I have been keeping on the lockout for that for years!!! Happy Birthday Michael! You are the uncrowned Master!!!
I hope Michael B. Tretow had an opportunity to see this video. What a wonderful present for a man who contributed so much behind the scenes to see how much his work is recognized and appreciated among so many people around the world.
THANK YOU for THIS video! It literally answers my prayers.
A massive ABBA fan since 1976 when I was 7 so I could write "my first fan year with ABBA" on a calendar, I was introduced to a Swedish choir named Choralerna in 1985. Around that time we sang their songs in our church youth choir. And I loved their songs for - having that sound! Managed to collect their record "let's celebrate" in 2005. It states three sound mixers, and one is "Mikael Tretov". It was partially mixed at - Metronome Stockholm. It must be him! Back then reading this I almost dropped the freshly delivered rare record 😀
So my gut feeling from back in the days is true: mixing this choir so perfectly is related to why ABBA sound the way they do.
You please keep up the amazing work you do! And massive thanks for the incredible effort you put into it.
Fantastic. This video was very important for me to make. I'm very happy you appreciate it. Thank you! And many thanks for this fascinating anecdotal story!
Excellent video.Full cream.And with fantastic photos.A brief but ultimate tribute!
Bobby, thank you!
It is about time to give credit to the fifth abba member. Without which, we wouldn’t have the abba sound we all love.
It’s a shame that Michael wasn’t able to participate in abba’s latest album. One can certainly hear the difference because the fifth element of The abba sound is missing.
Again, thank you for your amazing video work. This is my favorite for now. ❤🎉
Hej Carlos, many thanks for your nice appreciation. This video was very important for me to make. I'm happy you enjoy it so much, too. Greetings from BB
I don't think that has anything to do with Tretow's absence, but more about Benny (as the main producer) wanting to explore a new side of ABBA. I don't think he wanted them to sound as they did 40 years ago, and while we all love that sound I support that decision. Today Benny is working with Bernard Löhr, who is one of Sweden's finest sound engineers, and a perfect replacement for Tretow.
@@j.lindback I also see it as a very natural progression.
@@j.lindback, I could not disagree more. For the simple fact that Tretow's absence is due to his illness. He was instrumental in keeping the group alive all these decades. He remixed and mastered whatever came after. He continued to work with Benny and Bjorn in all the other productions they were involved in. Benny "wanting to explore a new side of ABBA" is pure speculation on your part; with all due respect 🙏
@@CarlosPerdomo No offence to anyone guys but i will agree with Carlos here.Just my humble subjective perception.
Well deserved tribute to a legend ! As a Swedish musician and self made sound engineer that record, mix and produce my own music and my bands music at a hobby level i have much appreciation for the sound quality and production of ABBA and of course the music. The stars really aligned when it came to ABBA to create that magic much as it also did with The Beatles that also had fantastic engineers and producer and again the fantastic music.
Thanks!!
It is amazing that Michael was able to produce this full and rich sound, despite technology at that time was limited!
I had read one of the articles online that in order for Bernard Löhr to replicate the magic of When I Kissed The Teacher from the second Mamma Mia! film, atleast 67/87 tracks were used in order to capture the same magic that Michael did 42 years ago (counting from 2018).
They probably recorded the same amount of vocal tracks even when recording analog, only they had to bounce them down. Recording to 8/16/24 channels never meant that is was all you could have; Tretow bounced down previous tracks in order to free up channels all the time.
What a touching tribute! MBT is certainly the true wizard for ABBA's legacy. Very much missed in Voyage!
Lots of respect for this man Michael B tretow
He is a LEGEND, so fantastic
I continue to learn so much from Michael B Tretow - he is a genius and I wish him many happy returns of the day.
Happy Birthday, Michael and all the best for you! 🎂🎉
Happy Birthday Michael !
Michael was a genius in the studio not only at the mixing desk, also the way he experimented with audio tape cutting and splicing segments together to create something new. Today a sound can easily be recorded in a loop by electronics. One of my favourite stories from a session is when he had wanted to get a particular drum track repeated and strung a tape all round the studio over mike stands so he could play it at slightly different speeds and lay it onto a master tape, all was going well until someone opened the door and broke the tape which set everyone into fits of laughter. They worked hard but it must of been so much fun working in the studio experimenting and finding new ways of recording things.
Thanks BB, wonderful as usual, when the Voyage álbum was out, I wondered why Michael B Trewtow wasn't part of that, I thought that he was retired but I didn't know about the stroke. I sincerely hope he's doing fine now. He certainly was an important key to ABBA's success and deserves recognition for it. I'm a die Hard ABBA fan since 1979, I enjoy your videos very much. Thanks for sharing
The Day Before You Came is one of my Fav. ABBA Songs 🙏
Thank you for this video. It's great to see Michael acknowledged for his contributions. Great job.
Thank you too!
Happy Birthday, Maestro.
And thank you for your magic touch in creating the soundtrack of our lives.
Happy happy birthday!! ✨💗
Of course A, B, B & A are uniquely talented, but you cannot have lived through the 70s, through experiencing the way ABBA's Wall of Sound came on the scene and the world sat up and took notice, without knowing that they had a genius of a sound engineer.
I even remember checking the credits on the album covers: yes, Michael B. Tretow was always there. I knew then how important and central he was to ABBA's sound.
And the truth is, before the techno revolution of the 70s, no one would ever have listened to a song and said, as I did, "WOW, who is their Sound Engineer"?
Tretow set the standard. ABBA's techno-approach was imitated, but what we first heard in the 70s was blazingly original.
So we say thank you for the music to Tretow, but also, thank you for that crazy, irresistible Wall of Sound.
Do you know how many times I chose to miss my dinner because I was searching for all the different parts of the music on my headphones? 😄
This was a fascinating perspective from back to the original ol' days. Thanks for bringing me back to a time I couldn't live.
His absence from Voyage is noticable too.Michael used every possible way to make the Abba sound stardust sparkling also taking advantage of almost every technological tool available mixed with his phenomenal creativity.But do you think that if things turned different and had participated in Voyage he might have used autotune. And would that be bad or good?Just wondering.
Diese Dokumentation war spannend von der ersten bis zur letzten Sekunde. Michael B. Tretow ist der große Unbekannte, der im Hintergrund blieb und doch nicht minder wichtig für den großen Erfolg von ABBA ist. Vielen Dank und Grüße aus Deutschland.
Beautiful and insightful and very appropriate triubte to a person so important for one of the most important aspects of ABBA: The sound!
BB, again and again what a remarkable and awesome info on our beloved ABBA ! Thankyou!
And yes , Michael B. Tretow what an enormous benefit and asset to ABBA and its success in Musical history. I liked where he praised Frida and Agnetha for their intelligence and mega talented voices. Yes, i totally agree! 👍❤️
I would say, the stars in the heavens were perfectly aligned when these talented Musicians met..
Thankyou for the awesome Mùsica..!❤
This was wonderful. Happy birthday Michael. I saw that interview with the story of the matches and both Benny and Bjorn were laughing like it had just happened again. Thier love and affection was very evident. I think you could do another 10 video's on the "ABBA" sound and unpack the logic, but it's almost illogical in it's unique impact and blending of not just wonderful voices and amazing songcraft, but energy, emotion and spirit. All human factors, which I think is also an integral part of ABBA's enduring legacy. Above the wizardry, you still feel those illogical human factors front and center in the ABBA sound.
Michael B Tretow was responsible for the sound of abba on all their albums and creating their sound and on the vocals. He is a very clever engineer and responsible for the wall of abba. A very talented and clever man . He was very much missing from voyage album
Fabulous! Thanks!
None of this actually explains the ABBA secret. The secret was to record the vocals with the song at normal pitch, but do the double tracking with the tape slowed down 1/4 step, then track it again with the tape sped up 1/4 tone. When played at proper speed the chorusing effect is completely unique sounding compared to standard locked speed double tracking
The lack of Michael Tretows contribution in Abba’s last album is highly distinguishable and ‘audible’.VOYAGE ‘suffers’ from a heavily compressed mix at some parts and many wonderful details are covered behind a ‘blurry glass’.Michael could have boosted up and cleared out the ‘mud’ giving it his magic touch.(Despite this, i do love the album for emotional reasons and for the new memories we shared that these songs carry.)
Yes. It lacks the brilliance of the slightly sped-up technique. Still wonderful, but it will always be an 8.5 or 9 out of 10 as far as production goes.
You have described exactly how I feel about the album. An absolutely 🎯 comment. For me it's that final, yet essential, careful and considered "polished" mixing that is missing on some of the songs (such as "No Doubt About It" and the choruses in "I Still Have Faith In You") that I miss. 🙏🏻
@@booh12469 I do just wonder whether the compression is deliberate to hide expected deficiencies in the vocals. Some parts are quite murky and do wonder how Tretow would have dealt with it. B&B's solution seem to be to disguise it.
@@booh12469 thanks.Btw whenever it comes to NDAI i choose to listen to a fan made mix done by (i think) themotownboy.Also the 'ultra dancemix' or smth when it comes to 'DAN' which i find them fabulous both in utube.
@@mkyriacopolous I've said this again,that appart from my past top 3 standard fave Abba albums,V has a special place in my heart.I feel a lumb in my throat whenever i 'put the needle on this record'.I overtook its 'imperfectness' and now it has grown to be my favest, most emotional choice.
lets give credit to how great this channel is for ABBA fans the best channel on youtube . AND at 14:11 i hope I dont get hate for saying this but Agnethas face it is insanely beautiful just perfect
No hatred.We simply all have favourites,naturally and rightfully.It's human nature.
Thank you for the nice feedback!
Michael has perfected well the research into the vocal sound that can be seen explained in recent documentaries on the Beach Boys or the Mamas and the Papas.
Hey!You pulled a string!TMATP my 2nd best vocal band ...was my uncle's fave that i also came to love.
Btw i Got all the fab discography of TMATP.
Hi, Bobby, thanks very much for posting such a remarkable video with comprehensive explanation of Michael Tretow's contribution to ABBA's music. ABBA is a combination not of four geniuses, but of FIVE. Without Tretow, there would not be a perfect ABBA. There exists almost no band in the world with a contribution of so many geniuses working in harmony with lasting friendship for tens of years.
Happy birthday 🎉.
His influence is missing on the voyage album
My only initial negative impression of Voyage was its soundworld - ABBA really did sound different, and not just aged. I wish MBT had been well enough to engineer it. Thanks, BB, for a fitting tribute.
Their voices are so unique and will never be duplicated!
I think Michael gave them a more expansive soundscape. Because Benny and Bjorn can do this on their own, but it is certainly even better with the aid of Michael B. Tretow! He will always be missed, but a big part of the legacy we have with ABBA.
Simply amazing, well done! :) Regarding the secrets to the ABBA sound I have to share this quote from Tretow: "Between Björn and Benny the biggest star were Rutger Gunnarsson"!
Thanks for sharing!!
And being a bassist myself, and a fan of ABBA since my childhood when my parents used to listen to them a lot, I can say that Tretow, while doing himself a bit of a disservice in how important _he_ was, is quite right in Rutger Gunnarsson. The man was a genius, and his work on ABBA's music should be required listening for any bassist who wants to learn how recording bass is done properly.
Lovely tribute to Michael and quite rightly he should forever be associated with the best music ever created.
Grattis and Blessings to Michael B. Tretow 🙏🏽☀️🍀💙💛
Happy birthday Michael! Thank you so much, BB for this detailed and fascinating insight into the man and his work.
Happy birthday Michael B Tretow
Many Thanks for having done this! Highly apreciated
Michael Tretow is my hero.
Since a long time .... :)
Happy Birthday Michael B. Tretow! I didn't know it was his birthday today, but I'm thankful that you uploaded the video to let us all know!😁
Thank you too!
Yes! Michael B Tretow deserves infinite praise.
Magical story telling for the most magical group on Earth and beyond
I am from Denmark born 1965 and I remember the ABBA hits as was it yesterday. Abba had that unique produced sound - in my opinion a very "clear and sharp and sophisticated"sound. Thanks to this video for explaining how the producer worked his magic. I loved the number "The winner takes it all".
Bobby grazie di tutto ciò che racconti su gli Abba .lidia
They performed polka music with 70's tech and orchestration. The mixing tricks just enhance the polka. Been loving it for nearly 50 years.
❤ lichen Dank für dieses Video, den " magischen " Hintergründen von Abba und den Produzenten.🗝
Happy birthday and endless thanks from my soul for the wonderful work you did with this unforgettable group!
Sergio Torloni MD
Arizona - USA
La magia de ABBA!
Happy birthday Michael B Tretow 🎉🥳🎉🥳🎉🎉♥️🇭🇲I love and adore ABBA from the age of 10 I'm 61 now and the love gets stronger,Thank you so much Michael B Tretow what a great man, thank you Bobby's Brother ♥️
Thank you!
@@bobbysbrother137 your welcome you do a wonderful job take care
6:00-6.24,ha!ha! Scandalous!Poor Michael !Bjorn and esp.Benny such naughty boys.!btw nice cartoon presentation of those incidents.
Yes, beautiful illustration. Taken from Björn's book "Pop Story".
Really interesting - and you set us homework! Brilliant! 😃
It's about time after more than 2 years letting you go without any homework.
@@bobbysbrother137 yes, you have been far too lenient! 😆
Thank you, Mr. Tretow! You ARE ABBA!
I always assumed it was a huge double tracking of their voices to create that signature sound that was like a whole choir
What a wonderful, informative and comprehensive documentary. Congratulations!
Happy birthday🎉😊 nachträglich
As a huge lifelong ABBA fan this is a brilliant video on the ABBA sound & tribute to Michael B Tretow. Very fascinating watching & a very Happy Birthday to Michael or Bo!
I always knew that ABBA was recorded extremely well. And having read "Bright lights, dark shadows" I became a Tretow's fan.
Vari speed recording. Record one take, rewind the tape machine, alter the tape speed, record another. Do it again and again and again at slightly different pitches. Huge vocal sound.
Obviously helps if you have singers as good as Agnetha and Anni-Frid who can lock it in for every take. 😉
Fab video. Very informative. As a songwriter and musician myself I find it so interesting how they recorded so thank you so much :) .
Behind every record by a well known artist or producer is an engineer who most people haven't heard of. Thanks for highlighting this!
Thank you for watching and listening!
Another great video. Can you done one on Polar Studios ? It always amazed me that Led Zeppelin recorded an album at ABBA’s own studio.
I did a section about Polar Studios in one of my location videos, visiting the original building of Polar Studios. It starts at 4:14: ua-cam.com/video/Xmo4-Qts8jQ/v-deo.html
The Carpenters, ABBA, Fleetwood Mac - That was music, the soundtrack of our childhoods; Music for the love of music!
WOW! Thank you sir! What a great video.
Respect ABBA,beautiful documentar.
Happy belated birthday, Michael - a magician for sure.
Happy Birthday 🎂 Michael! 🎉
We should thank Norway for ABBA - member Anni-Frid Synni Lyngstad. I think she brought most of the sound.
Thanks for highlighting the genius of Michael B Tretow! What an utterly brilliant position to find an engineer that "gets" you, is on the same wavelength. Wouldn't have been the same without him for sure. As much as Andersson and Ulvaeus were consummate songwriters, Tretow had a knack to paint the perfect picture sound wise.
I highly recommend the band biography by Carl Magnus Palm "Bright Lights Dark Shadows" - it's utterly extensive covering even the childhood and early careers of all the members. Even if you consider yourself a lifelong fan and know a lot - you will get a much deeper insight and understand their career much better !
Best homework ever!!!🤪An album with humor, I would say. 😂
Tretow is a true genius and also a very funny guy. I Love Tretow ❤️
Thank you for illuminating the music of Michael B Tretow!