Thickening Vocals

Here is a video how-to on thickening vocals.

This process will give you a fuller, wider vocal sound.

Its showing the process using the Studio One DAW, but the same technique can be applied to any DAW.

YMMV.

 

Good video !
I've been aware of this trick for a while, the explanation is very good

It makes me wonder how often that kind of effect is used by pros
I'm not considering myself a pro but I just don't like the phasy/chorus like sound it makes. (personnal taste of course)

Also, I'd like to know how often this vs real doubling (recording 2 or 3 or more distinct tracks) is used.

 

I think that its most likely one of those little tricks that is used more often then we realise...I know there are a few pros out there with names we'd all recognise who do something similar, some have even showed how its done on the odd YT video (no names...no pack drill)

I always find it a PITA when alligning two or more vocal tracks as there always tends to be those odd timing issues, but then again they can give the track that raw, live sound as well without over-refining the vocals to the point that they sound over-processed or too digital.

I like using parallel processing on vocal tracks as was discussed in another thread posted by Donny to beef up a thin vocal sound.

I think if you are working with a lot of tracks already, all running plug-ins then running another 8 vocal tracks plus all the extra processing can be an added burden on an already process-hungry cpu.

 

Some tools like VocAlign could help.. The new Sonar has an alignment tool, didn't have time to try it much..
I too think that it's more organic to have a few tracks recorded by the artists.. if he/she is consistent enough.

The aspect of CPU usage is a very good point.. It would be nice to compare it to some doubling plugins

 

a short delay with modulation does the same thing. it's an old sound .... we used to call it "tubeing". i first learned about it from David Gibson. sounds like the cylons in Battle Star Gallactica. i've never cared for it. i like real doubling better.

 

That made me chuckle Kurt