double tracking vocals ala Phil Spector?

[clevodrummer]

Quick question...

Im double tracking vocals the old way, singing twice, once on two separate tracks. Sounds good, but is double tracking really bouncing two separate recorded tracks into one, or does it really mean two separate tracks.

thanks

[rockerdude]

Doing it twice.in sync. on seperate tracks then mixing the two together.Not duplicating the one track.this is a very effective way to fatten up a thin vocal or guitar track.Some people are great at it and others not so much.It's not easy to do.For it to sound the best they have to be right on or you get a distracting doubling effect that is not very pleasing to the ear. check out my studio at www.sterlingsoundstudios.com

[RAMI]

Originally Posted by clevodrummer

Im double tracking vocals the old way, singing twice, once on two separate tracks.

Since when did that become the old way??? It's still the way to do it.

As far as wheather to bounce them together or keep them on 2 separate tracks....
Bouncing them together will not allow you to pan them away from each other and you won't have independant control of volume, EQ, effects, etc. for each track.
NOT bouncing them together gives you control of these things for each track.

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by clevodrummer

Im double tracking vocals the old way, singing twice, once on two separate tracks. Sounds good, but is double tracking really bouncing two separate recorded tracks into one, or does it really mean two separate tracks.

Double-tracking simply means what you are already doing, recording the same piece twice. What you do with it after that in mixing is up to you (tracking is over by then ).

That said, unless you are just simply running short of tracks and you need to economize, or unless you are making a vocal stem/submix, there isn't much reason to bother merging the tracks. They're all going to wind up being mixed together anyway; what's the point of taking the extra step to merge a couple of the tracks first?

G.

[clevodrummer]

Nice studio Rockerdude. Glad I posted this...Im leaning toward leaving them separate because I got lucky and my vocals are dead on each other...Im using a Korg D888 with 8 tracks for this song... I thought 8 tracks would be mucho gusto forever as I started with a 4 track....The Korg came with Cubase, but I dont have a dvd loader on my puter. Im ping ponging with a Masterlink and its workin nice.

I guess though if Im planning on one track for vocals I may as well submix them now.... I just did that and it does definetly fatten up a single track...

Thanks.... I have only finished a few recordings but this tune is an original I am writing about a younger brother of mine ( 2 years) who was killed in a car crash when he was 20 back in 79. Im having a friend doing guitar work on it and Im planning 4 tracks of drums, etc... In other words its a big project to me but its coming along well and when I hit these roadblocks its great to hear what you all think and the advice is the best on any site.

[superspit]

Originally Posted by clevodrummer

Nice studio Rockerdude. Glad I posted this...Im leaning toward leaving them separate because I got lucky and my vocals are dead on each other...Im using a Korg D888 with 8 tracks for this song... I thought 8 tracks would be mucho gusto forever as I started with a 4 track....The Korg came with Cubase, but I dont have a dvd loader on my puter. Im ping ponging with a Masterlink and its workin nice.

I guess though if Im planning on one track for vocals I may as well submix them now.... I just did that and it does definetly fatten up a single track...

Thanks.... I have only finished a few recordings but this tune is an original I am writing about a younger brother of mine ( 2 years) who was killed in a car crash when he was 20 back in 79. Im having a friend doing guitar work on it and Im planning 4 tracks of drums, etc... In other words its a big project to me but its coming along well and when I hit these roadblocks its great to hear what you all think and the advice is the best on any site.

Looking forward man!...keep going!

[RD423]

Originally Posted by RAMI

Since when did that become the old way??? It's still the way to do it.

LOL. Yeah me 2

[clevodrummer]

I was basically referring to all of the new and (improved?) technological choices one can make to accomplish double tracking when I referred to the "old fashioned way."

Anyway I sang the song twice on two separate tracks and am very pleased with the results. Im fortunate that its pretty natural for me and the results were just what I was hoping for.

I will post it when its finished.

Thanks,,

[RD423]

Glad to hear it worked out for you, It is pretty easy to do as long as the artist knows their lyrics and timing.

[mixsit]

One thing that's fun is to ride the level of that second vocal during the song for a contrast of the thick effect' in some spots or more forward and focused in others.