mixing vocals

[ashulman]

I'm new to this but one problem I have is when mixing I feel like my vocals are standing out too much in the mix rather than blending in nicely. I am recording to a mono track and that might be a problem if reverb effects added later are in stereo. Other than that are there any techniques to make the vocals blend? I am having particular trouble with a Weezer type tune that has multiple distorted guitars. Everything else sounds great but the vocals either sound buried or tacked-on

[TexRoadkill]

A couple things to try first would be roll off the lows around 250hz so you have more headroom and less low end clutter. Then compress the vocals so they can sit on top of the mix without fading out during softer parts or being to harsh on the louder parts.

[ashulman]

Sorry to be ignorant of these things but when you say roll off the lows, do you mean with a limiter or something like that?

[c9-2001]

Originally posted by ashulman
Sorry to be ignorant of these things but when you say roll off the lows, do you mean with a limiter or something like that?

EQ..Roll off the lows.. for me.. i'd never roll off at 250hz..i like having a clean thick sounding vocal.. i've never gone over 125hz..
ashulman what programs are you using??

[ashulman]

I'm assuming you mean reduce the gain on the low frequencies. I'm not sure I like that either. I am using a Behringer B-2 mic into a Zoom 1044 digital recorder. The Zoom has a number of basic effects including compression, limiting, mic pre-amp, reverb, chorus/delay, etc. I know that reverb and chorus can be helpful, I'm just having trouble with the heavy tunes.

[volltreffer]

May be a compression issue, too...

[ashulman]

That was my feeling as well. I listened to some Weezer cds and the vocals sound highly compressed. The compressor on the Zoom is limited (no pun intended). I was thinking about going into some kind of compressor before I reach the recorder. Don't know if there are phantom power issues with that as the Zoom is currently supplying that for me.