A couple of questions on vocals...

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:02 am

Hi,

I recorded some vocals recently in the studio and found myself sounding a lot different to how i expected.

I don't think this was so much because i haven't heard recordings of myself, it's because i was projecting my voice more than i ever had and struggled with it.

Usually i find my voice much cleaner but when i was told by my producer to sing as loud as possible, i found a much harsher sound coming out and i struggled to find the pitch much more than i usually would.

My question is, is this normal? Will i always have to sing this loud for recordings? (I play in a punk/ rock band) I liked my voice more how i have previously heard it, and would rather have that style, but once i project my voice more it sounds different. Will it always be this way or is it just that certain producers would have the mic recorded quieter with a louder voice, whereas others might turn up the mic in the program to aid the quiet singing?

Thanks

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:56 am

Volume of singing affects the tone. I can't sing loud on pitch. (FWIW I can't sing quiet on pitch either)

Just yell at him that you don't work well singing that loud, and he should have no choice but to listen to you.

Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:36 am

I think it's safe to say, there are very few vocalists who sing their best when they are singing "as loud as they can". But at a certain point, it's not reallly singing anymore.

The engineer might want you to belt out a few phrases before you even get serious, to establish your maximum level so he knows your limit. That way he can set the gains and compressors so he can get a good recording without clipping. The engineer doesn't expect you to maintain that volume, he's got knobs for that.

The producer should be thinking about the best vocal delivery for this band/for this song. Maybe he thinks a raspier sound from you conveys more raw energy. He should, in theory, be more objective and might know what he's talking about - in terms, of what will make this song/band most marketable and stand out in the crowd. (which when you think about it, punk and commercialism should be opposed to each other by definition)

The singer has to think about the long-term care of his instrument. The producer might be trying to find the right intensity for the style of music. But, if he uses a cattle prod to get you to scream the greatest recording ever made, then what? You can look forward to a couple years of increasingly severe electrical shocks as they try to coax the nightly performance out of you. Next thing you know you're delivering pizzas and the band has a new younger singer with a fresh set of pipes.

It's good to take direction and try it your producer's way, but there's a point where you can damage your vocal cords and run yourself right out of the business. There are ways to sing with power that don't destroy your voice. A good vocal coach can do wonders, but then again .... how punk is that?

do re mi fa so la ti do

Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 2:33 am

I think he was trying you out on death metal? It requires a vocal technique much like trying to expectorate your vocal cords on to the bathroom floor. Or onto a listener in the audience. Draino & Emery paper work best on vocal cords. He probably thinks your wimpy vocal has no balls? So he wants to hear your scrotum. You do have a scrotum? Don't you? Grab it like Michael Jackson does and maybe you get the sound he wants? It couldn't hurt.... Well, really it could.

(No scrotums were injured in this production)
Ms. Remy Ann David

Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:29 pm

Lol, thanks for the replies.

I'll see how things go next time.

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