trojanso9 wrote: i am helping one of my friends who is a rapper. i have his tracks on my computer, but every song is only one track with vocals and beats on the same track.the vocals sound like they were done on a cheap mic. any idea of what i can do to it on pro tools to make it sound better( the whole song). i have waves diamond bundle. if anyone can give me any pointers that would be great!

thanks alot!

This is super basic:

Pull up the plug-in called Waves REQ 6 bands

Put in these number for the frequencies: 90 250 500 1500 3000 5000

(These frequencies are just estimates. The experts here may give you better ones to use.)

Leave the Qs alone.

For the gains, on each frequency, just see if it sound better when lowered, or increased, or left alone.

Do this for each track.

These tracks are never going to be anything great. But you will make them a little better, and get experience using your ears in the process.

EDIT: Massive Mastering's comments reminded me that software DAWs have built-in EQ plug-ins that can do this also.

(Sniff... Sniff...)

Something smells very funny here...

:? If you really want to help your friend than take him to a local recording studio and record vocals again on a decent mic. You can later use your Waves diamond bundle to mix the tracks.

Massive Mastering wrote: (Sniff... Sniff...)

Something smells very funny here...

Sorry 'bout that....I had tacos last night.

Anyway, my point again (from a different post) -

How come people have all of this expensive-ass software but don't know how to use it???

Am I seeing a Jolly Roger and hearing Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum in the background? Perhaps Polly on one's shoulder and "ARRR Matey" being sputtered?

Okay, so here's my official answer to the question -

Most of the time I get "beats" with vocals, the beats are done SO Poorly it's not even funny. Some kid hacked a copy of Fruity Loops or Reason and made a beat which he didn't even PAN into the right place so everything comes out MONO!!! Then they lay a crappy vocal down using their AWESOME AKG C1000!!!! Then they bring it to me and ask me to make it sound bigger and more spacious.

If I had a nickel for every ONE of those clients who I sent away because I'm not interested in doing that kind of polish work, well, I'd be a few dollars richer at least!

As for the vox problem you're encountering, I would suggest you send your mix to a pro and have them listen, evaluate and help. It ain't that expensive and you'll probably be VERY pleased with the results. Please avoid those recording studios that claim to master though but do so right in their comfy recording studio control room with 40 dB of ambient noise and Yamaha NS10 monitors...PLEASE!

J.

move the little sliders around until it sounds better.

Massive Mastering wrote: (Sniff... Sniff...)

Something smells very funny here...

Hmmm.. me thinks crack?

Sorry 'bout that....I had tacos last night.

Apparently not crack cocaine. Rather butt crack. That's the worst kind 'o' crack.