Beatles, Badfinger, Queen background-like vocals

  • Thread starter Thread starter CMiller
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CMiller

CMiller

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You need to have great singers performing well. Singers who can perform a well written harmony line. Otherwise you're trying to put frosting on manure. It might sound like I'm being an asshole, but it's the truth. So far as I know, they've been unable to put Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Freddie Mercury in a box. If you find one, let us know!
 
Anyone got some good tips on getting that killer lush background vocals sound that so many of the Beatles, Badfinger, and Queen records have on them? I guess a modern day equivalent would be the two Jellyfish discs. Would spreading the backgrounds out in the stereo field and adding a hint of reverb and chorus to each help?

Thanks,
-Billy
 
FENder6:
See my response to Bunnyfunk under mixing down - vocal mixing today. Same Goes.
I do agree that it helps to have good vocalists, but, you'd be surprised what you can do with effects to improve the sound.
Have fun . . . that's what counts.

Regards,
PAPicker
 
Thanks for the tips, PA. That's somewhat how I envisioned it --- the spreading out, 'verb, and a touch of chorus to thicken the backgrounds. I also think the volume of each of the background parts plays a big part in the "lushness" vibe -- maybe even going as far as to put in a slight wave of a volume envelope to give a subtle shimmering effect. I haven't actually tried this -- these are just things I'm thinking might help. And like you said --definitely keeping the parts on seperate tracks until mixdown.

- Billy
 
Well, of course talent plays a major part. I know I may not reach the Beatles/Queen level, but it ain't gonna stop me from trying to get as close as I can!

-Billy

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CMiller:
You need to have great singers performing well. Singers who can perform a well written harmony line. Otherwise you're trying to put frosting on manure. It might sound like I'm being an asshole, but it's the truth. So far as I know, they've been unable to put Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Freddie Mercury in a box. If you find one, let us know!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
 
Which particular song and/or period of The Beatles do you want to sound like?
They used dozens of different vocal techniques.
You really can't reduce their range of sounds to one formula.
 
To be more specific -- I would say 'Sgt. Pepper/Abbey Road'-era Beatles, early McCartney solo, early Queen (although with a lot less overdubs!), all of the Jellyfish stuff. Just looking for tips on getting the harmony vocals to have that nice stereo seperation, but also blend ever so nicely with the lead and each other for that "smoothness".

A good starting point -- and even more specific : 'Because' from 'Abbey Road'. I know there are tons of vocal overdubs on there (wonder how many?)-- but listen how beautifully it's mixed. It gives me chills. How do I get even close to that? What will start me on a learning path to achieve something close? And I'm talking about mixing/recording techniques here, not vocal prowess. We all know the talent of all mentioned above, and that definitely plays a major part.
 
Do you know a little music theory?
In the song "because" there's alot of close voiced,three part harmony.
The melody is basically triad inversions in motion with occaisional passing tones.
The richness coming from the use of dominant,diminished and flat-five seventh chords.
 
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