BASIC VOCAL PROCESING (WHAT TO DO)

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 4:35 am

HALLO, PLEASE COULD SOMEBODY IN DETAILS TELL ME WHAT THE BASIC PROCESSES ARE FOR FRESH (DRY) RECORDED VOCALS. WHAT IS MOSTLY A GOOD THRESHOLD, ATTACK/REALEASE/GATE/ WHEN USING COMPRESSORS? WHAT IS THE PROPER ORDER WHEN YOU WANT TO APPLY EQUALAZATION, DELAY, ENHANCERS, EXCITERS AND REVERB? I DID A LOT OF EXPIRIMENTATION AND I SIMPLY CAN NOT FIND THE RIGHT WAY TO BRING MY VOCALS UP TO SOUND BRIGHT, FULL AND CRISPY. I HAVE A VERY DESCENT EQUIPMENT. I USE KSM32 MIC FROM SHURE. PLEASE GUYS, COULD YOU GIVE ME SOME TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO PROCESS BETTER SOUNDING VOCALS. IM ON A PROJECT RIGHT NOW AND WISH TO DO THE WHOLE PRODUCTION MYSELF, INCLUDING RECORDING AND PROCESSING VOCALS AND OF COURSE MIXING THEM WITH MY HOT BEATS. (THAT WAS ONE WORD TOO MUCH) Smile

PLEASE, I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS. THANKS, HM4...

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 5:07 am

I used to have the durnest time getting any vocals to sound worth a sh!t. But I did 2 things that changed it all...
1st---I bought a mic pre. You HAVE to spend some $$$ on a great preamp. A decent pre is not going to cut it. A good pre-amp is not a great pre-amp. Get a GREAT one. You will NEVER regret it. (if your not sure which pre to go with, just ask. You will get about 10 to 20 guy's ready to jump on that question.)
2nd---I bought a high quality reverb effects processor. I use Eventide, but if you dont go with Eventide, concider any of the PCM series from Lexicon. Or maybe the Kurzweil KSP8. I haven't heard this one, but the reviews on it are all the rave! Razz

Or maybe you can get your hands on a used Ensoniq DP4 or a 4+. They are going very cheap now adays.
Well that's my advice.
And HM4, when you record...dont use cheap ass cords. Only use high quality cables. It will make a big difference, if you are using sh!ty cables.
Try this too...
mic to mic pre input
mic pre output to track 1 on mixer
aux sends on track 1 to left and right inputs on reverb unit
left and right ouputs of reverb unit to tracks 2 & 3 on mixer
Now your vocals are on 3 tracks and are going to sound wider and smoother. Without overdubbing.
If you get 2 effects processors (like I use). Then you can add to tracks 4 & 5 with the outputs from the other effects unit. And then you have total control over your vocals with 1 dry channel and 4 wet channels!
Lastly pan all of the wet channel's. I usally keep the dry vocals out front at 12 o'clock.

Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 11:04 pm

THANKS BRO, YEAH, YOUR FIRST ADVICE SOUNDS PROMISING. THATS WHAT IM PROBABLY GONNA DO. ILL GET ONE GOOD EFFECT PROCESSOR FROM LEXICON AND A BETTER MICPREAMP. EY MAN, ILL FIND YOUR ASS IF THIS DOESNT HELP OUT Smile

STILL THOUGH, WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU PROCESSING YOUR FRESH RECORDED VOCALS? IN WHAT ORDER DO YOU APPLY EFFECTS (COMPRESSORS, EQ'S, REVERB ETC.)

P.S
AND YEAH ONE MORE QUESTION THAT ID LIKE TO ADD, WHAT IS VOICE DOUBLE TRACKING? ISN'T THAT WHEN YOU RECORD THE INDENTICAL VOCAL TWICE AND THEN MAKE JUST ONE OUT OF IT? DOES THAT CREATE SOMETHING LIKE A DELAY-EFFECT?

Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 4:12 pm

It has taken me years to get this far. But I guess I can tell you some more secrets. Laughing

No secrets.. just trail and (lots of) errors
I don't use compression. I own one, but I NEVER use it. It really fu*ks up everything in my opinion. It kills the dynamics, it squashes the signal, and the cheap ass components just colour the sound and all they really do is change it.
Maybe if I had a Manley or an AMEK9098, I might use it some, but you get my point.
I use quality mics ONLY. Nothing exp.
Just good stuff, you know Shure, Audix, whatever...but nothing cheap and untested in the industry.
And the main reason for this, is I rarely need EQ. Almost never.
And as far as recording your vocals...Do yourself a favor and record them dry. You can add the effects at mix down. It's MUCH, much better that way.
Do this.....
record the 1st line of the vocals (lyrics) on track one
on track two, record the 2nd line of the lyrics
And continue this way...do ALL the odd numbers lines on the 1st track and ALL the even number lyric lines on the 2nd track
You will really, really like the way it starts to create itself.
So all you should need is "one pair" of tracks to record some kick ass vocals on.
Then when you mixdown, put the same amount of reverb across (the AUX) on both tracks and it will sound like it is 1 take.
And your vocal lines will be much stronger because you have more time to catch your breath between vocal lines.
You can also carry out your "tails" on some words in the song and they can run over into the next set of lyrics. (this is also know as multi-tracking)
And you are more or less correct about what you said about double tracking. Just remember this...try not to double track with the same microphone. You can use the same pre-amp, but it really needs to be double tracked with 2 different mic's. Mainly because their polar patterns are different. And if you try to use the same mic, you might not like what it sounds like when you go to mixdown. It will most likely sound like a "double track" and that is rarely a good thing.
I would suggest mastering the art of multi-tracking. You will get good at it quick, and learn alot in the process.
Double tracking is just what you said above. And it is used best in chorus lines or at the end of harmonies. And yes, the delay between the two signal has alot to do with it.
Hope this helps
So you dont try to "find my ass" Laughing

Respected Past Moderator Joined: Mar 13, 2001 Posts: 1256

I would get a compressor/limiter with the Mic, Mic Pre. Vocals have a very wide dynamic range and it is good to compress and/or limit them prior to recording them.

A good all in one MicPre (sometimes EQ as well ) and Comp/Limiter would be the fix it all solution for recording good vocals.

I'd recommned the UA 6176 for this application. Your mileage may vary.

Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 6:49 pm

THAT GUY AGAIN Rolling Eyes

HEHEHE...YOU ABSOLUTELY RIGHT WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT MULTI-TRACKING. THATS HOW I ALWAYS RECORD MY VOCALS. I ALWAYS SPLIT THAT PARTICULAR VERSE INTO PIECES WHEN IM RECORDING. IT SOUNDS BETTTER AND YEAH, I CAN SPIT 2 OR EVEN MORE BARS AT ONCE WITHOUT TAKING BREATHS IN BETWEEN. PLUS, YOU CAN APPLY EFFECTS (ECHOES ETC.) ON THE TAIL OF EACH RECORDED LINE WHICH RUNS OVER INTO THE NEXT SET WHICH MAKES THAT PARTICULAR VERSE EVEN MORE CREATIVE. ONCE AGAIN, I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU WHAT YOU ALSO SAID ABOUT APPLYING NO COMPRESSORS AND EQ'S. IM FEELING YOU ON THAT ONE. MY DRY VOCALS SOUND BETTER THAN THOSE SAME VOCALS COMPRESSED. SOUNDS FUNNY, BUT IT'S TRUE. THANKS ONCE AGAIN MAN. Smile

UA 6176 , ILL TRY TO ORDER IT IN THE FUTURE, THANKS ONCE AGAIN GUYS. I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT RECORDING IN THE PAST 7 DAYS. REAL DEAL. NET REALLY CAN HELP OUT SOMETIMES. Smile

Posted: Mon May 09, 2005 11:43 am

And you also learned to contradict yourself...

You agreed with that guy again that you won't use compressors or eqs on your vocals and then you said you would try to order the UA 6176 in the near futur (which is an all in one box with compressor..etc).

I think you should learn a bit more about recording before spending the big bucks on gear. Good gear won't solve your problems if you don't know how to use it.

that guy again, good vocals can be done with affordable gear...just want to let you know.

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