Double Tracking Vocals

[guitarguy101]

What do you guys think about double tracking vocals? I just had a band walked in that wanted to double track all their vocals, but to me, it seems like whenever you double track vocals, you're listening to two separate singers, no matter how well you mix it.

 

[Steenamaroo]

I like it, but not on everything.

Listen to Nevermind by nirvana.
Mint example of pretty much 100% double tracking on some songs. In bloom for example.

 

[PDP]

You can mix the second track much lower and it will sound fuller than a single track. You dont have to use it on every line either, I only bring it in on certain lines.

IMO, a good lead voice doesnt need it at all, but some voices do benefit by it, (what I call clean choir boy voices).

I also understand what your saying about the two separate voices, that doesnt sound good. It takes alot of work for two singers to sound "together". The Beatles said they spent years working on it.

P.S the tune I have posted on my link below has a mixed vocal arrangement with doubled and single vocals, (especially the end) if u want to give a listen

 

[Capt Hair]

You can mix the second track much lower and it will sound fuller than a single track. You dont have to use it on every line either, I only bring it in on certain lines.

such as the chorus of a song. It's a great technique to make a chorus sound fuller without the use of compressors/processing.

 

[saads]

such as the chorus of a song. It's a great technique to make a chorus sound fuller without the use of compressors/processing.

Exactly, that's what I usually do. Bring in the double vocals in the chorus, makes it sounds richer and fuller, and gives the chorus a big impact too.

 

[JimmyS1969]

In my experience, it really depends on the song, and even more, how accurate the singer is to begin with. A poor singers doubled track is almost useless without serious manipulation of timing and pitch correction. A singer that is able to sing accurately twice, opens up a whole new world of sonic possibilities.

 

[grimtraveller]

In my experience, it really depends on the song, and even more, how accurate the singer is to begin with.

And also the actual voice of the singer. A number of my friends have voices that sound good in isolation but really lend themselves well to double tracking and they do it so well. They're really accurate, but they're not pros by any stretch of the imagination. On the other hand, I'm the opposite. I can DT accurately if I have to but I think I sound pretty shitty when my voice is double tracked. I just don't think I have a voice that lends itself nicely to it, unless it's in backing vocals.

A singer that is able to sing accurately twice, opens up a whole new world of sonic possibilities.

And sonic possibilities is, for me, the name of the game. I do think though, that we've really lost the value of a single voice in much modern music. A single voice with it's character, vulnerability, flaws, glories and wonders. Apart from the odd moment here and there, the last few years have seen me pretty much abandon it on myself. There was a time when it was pretty much de rigeur. Now I don't even want my voice sounding thick and fat. It's on a DT diet !