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Hey guys, what's up. Just found out about this forum, and I think it's a great idea :). I'm an amateur audio engineer, and pro musician, and I am facing a little trouble with my vocals mix.
The problem is that after I apply reverb, the vocal lines are hard to understand (unless you read the lyrics that is :) ).
I use the Sony oxford reverb plugin on Cubase SX3, and apply two verbs as send effects. The first verb I use to apply a room sonic signature, and the other I use to make the vocal lines sound thicker, solid and better. I enjoy the result, except for the fact that the vox lines become blurry and it's hard to understand in some lines what the singer (me, who I am not a vocalist), is saying. Do you have any suggestions on how to "sharpen" the vocals?

p.s. I know the rule says, sh*t in -> sh*t out, but what about descent in -> good out? Can we do that somehow? :D

Nice meeting you guys again.

You can listen to the first two tracks i'm talking about at
http://www.reverbnation.com/placidillusions
called
Loving a Dead-Drunk Elf
Memories.

Comments

UncleBob58 Tue, 07/21/2009 - 08:34

Two reverbs? That's part of the problem right there, they're probably fighting each other. Are they at least on separate sends/returns? Another possibility is that you are making the vox much too "wet".

Try a slap-back echo as a thickener instead of a reverb.

When mixing, solo the vox and the verb, make the verb subtle and then bring the rest of the mix back.

I'm sure there will be lots of other suggestions.

Guitarfreak Wed, 07/22/2009 - 08:49

Space wrote: "...or even on different layers of construction."

I usually put reverb on all my construction. Makes it look bigger!

Haha, what I meant was like don't add reverb to the individual track, THEN add reverb again after you make subgroups, and THEN add reverb again to the master track. But I wasn't really sure about how to phrase it. :D

anonymous Thu, 07/30/2009 - 05:25

All of the above are great ideas. Sometimes I like to use reverb on vocals to get a huge effect. Alot of the time I prefer a slap back delay.

To clear up the blurring of your vocals try this:

Apply an EQ to your reverb track

Put a sharp EQ cut on.

Move the EQ cut around until your vocal sounds clear. My instinct tells me this will be around the 150 to 800hz mark. Try then adding a little high shelf sparkle to brighten it all up.

Hope this has been useful,

Peace

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