Vocals

  • Thread starter Thread starter AdzMeister
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AdzMeister

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Ok guys, I understand that this is a very general and unprofessional question, but I'm having trouble with mixing vocals.

I was just wondering (and again, I understand all songs and mixes vary etc etc.) if there's any sort of starting point for a beginner when it comes to making the vocals sound good.

If it helps, I'm recording with a Rode NT1-A microphone, into a Tascam US-122L, and into Logic 9 on my Macbook Pro.

Perhaps I'm getting it wrong with the actual recording of the vocals?

Any help would be greatly appreciated :D Thanks in advance!
 
Adz... maybe some more information about why you aren't happy with the vocals would help. I've used the NT1-A for vocals and have been happy with it. Assuming yours is working properly, here are some basic suggestions:

tracking vocals is the key (IMHO).
* Make sure your singing is in tune... no sharps or flats.
* is the mic properly shielded from external noise? Are you getting a nice, clean sound?
* mixing vocals for me begins with getting the right volume compared to the other instrumentation. Then, I add some EQ if necessary... just enough to bring out the vocals in the mix so it isn't competing with the instruments.
* lastly, I begin adding some reverb - whatever is appropriate for the song. A completely dry vocal is rarely pleasing to the ear.

For me, that's usually enough.... in tune vocals, EQ and reverb to set them out in the mix.

If this is too basic a starting point, I apologize.
 
I have been getting quite liberal with how I mix vocals. I try to make the lead vocal sound "huge" (especially for rock, pop, metal). I generally hype the high end a bit, and high pass filter between 70-120hz depending on the singer. Sometimes the high shelt/high-mid boost is really big, sometimes not as much, but that is dependent upon the mic/pre used, and the singer.

I also use compression with a medium attack, 2:1-4:1 ratio usually, and set the threshold so there is between 4-8 dB of reduction? Sometimes I'll push it a lot if I want the compression effect to be heard. Where the compression falls in the effect chain is always different for me.. Sometimes it is before EQ, sometimes after, sometimes at the very end! :eek:

Reverb and delay are pretty common for me too. I try and keep the reverb sounding fairly short, barely noticeable. Almost like it is all early reflections? Then the delay is set to 8th note or something doesn't intrude or get distracting, and I Low pass filter the delayed sound A LOT to keep the vocal intelligible. The lead vocal really starts to get supported and subtly enhanced by all of these things, and jumps out of the mix.

One of the things that I am really trying to go for now is get the signal right at the source. I want to use a good mic that matches the singer (U87, SM7b, AKG C414, even the NT1a! I've got a few of those too!) through a good preamp that matches the mic and the voice (API, Neve, or DAV clones?) and maybe even add some very light EQ and/or compression to the signal before going into the computer using outboard. All of these things (not to mention the singer themselves, and their mic technique!) will help save all of the work with effects and such to get the vocal to sit in the mix. Layering/doubling vocal tracks and mixing them in lightly behind the actual lead can help support the vocal as well! ;) Wow this was quite a ramble! Hopefully it helps get you started!
 
AdzMeister said:
I was just wondering................... if there's any sort of starting point for a beginner when it comes to making the vocals sound good.
Click to expand...
Yes, the starting point is a good performance in a good room with the right mic for your voice.
 
RAMI said:
Yes, the starting point is a good performance in a good room with the right mic for your voice.
Click to expand...

Yea even though I went pretty in depth with the effect options above, This is what is going to get your vocal where it needs to be. I should have mentioned this at the beginning of my post instead of at the very end haha.
 
Compression can be the key to how a voice "sits" in the mix. I spend quite a bit of time making a vocal even, so when soft parts that are recorded with less signal, should end up just as audible as the rest in the final mix. Same applies for loud parts, of course. Compression on its own may not solve ALL your dynamic issues, and the reason I spend so much time is because I will go through the entire performance and tweak the areas (often times, specific syllables, etc.) with gain automation if compression isn't solving all of my needs.

Cheers,
Ryan
 
i like compression too. a little eq is helpful.


looking at the high end boards they had eq, they had a great preamp, and some even had a "touch of compression" as I read it.....all in one channel of the mixer.

the reverbs and all that can be applied later, maybe fed into the headphones for getting the singer to like it better.

a channel strip can be your golden-vocal mic strip, or something of the same. like a Focusrite 110 or Joe Meek OneQ.....I use a VC3 right now, but you can do the same with DAW software if you set it up that way. ...

Drummers spend a lot on a drum set, a singer should have a decent vocal strip...just like a guitarist invests in his gear... a good vocal mic and channel strip

one vote for Channel Strip...even try out a ART $200 mic strip see what you think. I think thats as entry level as you can get, or a used item a little cheaper.
 
ryguy76 said:
Compression can be the key to how a voice "sits" in the mix. I spend quite a bit of time making a vocal even, so when soft parts that are recorded with less signal, should end up just as audible as the rest in the final mix. Same applies for loud parts, of course. Compression on its own may not solve ALL your dynamic issues, and the reason I spend so much time is because I will go through the entire performance and tweak the areas (often times, specific syllables, etc.) with gain automation if compression isn't solving all of my needs.

Cheers,
Ryan
Click to expand...

Agreed. Compression does have great effect on how a vocal sits. I like to use Automation and compression to get it to flow with the songs dynamics a bit more along with the compression to help keep it controlled. :)
 
ok this is gonna be basic..
Is the mic the right way round?? i know that may be silly but ive seen it done.

get your self a pad/pen and create many empty tracks.... try singing a passage different distances from mic with different settings and adjustments to whatever absorbing materials you might be using (hanging duvets etc etc!) if you not using a dedicated booth move the mic around. Just try and records loads of different variations.

Make notes corresponding to the tracks you have recorded..take a half day or whatever.
listen back and find the sweetest recordings, keep the best ones and the notes you have made for reference.
 
Thanks so much for all your advice guys! Some amazing pointers to get me going here
 
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