Emulating “The Only Living Boy in New York”

[b1j]

I’ll kick this off by saying that I would like to record a continuous vocal sound (probably oohs because my croaky voice rasps on aahs these days). My model is the above mentioned song from Bridge Over Troubled Water. The BGVs float on for about ten measures, and they use the passage four times in the song. I’d love to produce that level of sustain.

All I can think of at the start is that I need to layer and blend at least a dozen or so tracks, each contributing a portion of the vocals. I’ll need to get used to end, intro, and cross fades to develop the right touch so it comes out seamless. Maybe compression to attenuate the seams? Reverb will be featured prominently, as well, I’m sure.

How would you do this?

 

[Papanate]

I’ll kick this off by saying that I would like to record a continuous vocal sound (probably oohs because my croaky voice rasps on aahs these days). My model is the above mentioned song from Bridge Over Troubled Water. The BGVs float on for about ten measures, and they use the passage four times in the song. I’d love to produce that level of sustain.

All I can think of at the start is that I need to layer and blend at least a dozen or so tracks, each contributing a portion of the vocals. I’ll need to get used to end, intro, and cross fades to develop the right touch so it comes out seamless. Maybe compression to attenuate the seams? Reverb will be featured prominently, as well, I’m sure.

How would you do this?

I would start by using the correct title - The Only Living Boy In New York - it has Simon and Garfunkel tracking at least 10 times over the end stanza - so if by yourself that would be 20 tracks - I would use two different mics to differentiate the tone - a Dynamic for the Simon Vocals and a Condenser for the Garfunkel Vocals - and pay attention to your EQ each time - stacked vocals can suffer from too much EQ - BTW They sang the parts in a Echo Chamber - and the Bass part is particularly hard to get -as Roy Halee Spliced together Joe Osborn parts from 6 different takes - Joe Osborne said learning after the fact was extremely hard.

 

[b1j]

Papanate, good catch. I can’t see how to edit the title so I guess it’s doomed.

I only have LDCs and SDCs, so I can’t use a dynamic mic.

I hadn’t put any thought into EQ. I’ll cut lows ahead of the reverb Send, but still expect to reverb more mid/lows than I typically do.

One thing I found recently with stacked vocals is that Melodyne is easy to overuse. And make no mistake, Melodyne is my buddy here. I certainly can’t sing like Tom and Jerry when they were 28.

I don’t have an echo chamber per se. I wonder if the shower would suffice?

Yep, I anticipate this will be a challenge.

So you others here: any technical advice?

 

[rob aylestone]

I fixed the title for you.

 

[b1j]

I fixed the title for you.

Cheers.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

I fixed the title for you.

I just spent 2 mins trying to spot the error.

 

[Papanate]

I only have LDCs and SDCs, so I can’t use a dynamic mic.

You are fine - just EQ the SDC to shave off the top end.

I hadn’t put any thought into EQ. I’ll cut lows ahead of the reverb Send, but still expect to reverb more mid/lows than I typically do.

When stacking vocals you have to cut frequencies on the stack so they don’t compile into a big EQ Mess.

One thing I found recently with stacked vocals is that Melodyne is easy to overuse. And make no mistake, Melodyne is my buddy here. I certainly can’t sing like Tom and Jerry when they were 28.

I get it you are doing it yourself - it doesn’t matter if you aren’t world class - S&G put 75 hours into the vocal dubs getting them perfect - Melodyne is fine just don’t correct the vocals as much - the digressions will help make the tracks bigger.

I don’t have an echo chamber per se. I wonder if the shower would suffice?

What are you recording with? If it’s a DAW there are plenty of free Reverbs that will work.

 

[b1j]

You are fine - just EQ the SDC to shave off the top end.


When stacking vocals you have to cut frequencies on the stack so they don’t compile into a big EQ Mess.


I get it you are doing it yourself - it doesn’t matter if you aren’t world class - S&G put 75 hours into the vocal dubs getting them perfect - Melodyne is fine just don’t correct the vocals as much - the digressions will help make the tracks bigger.


What are you recording with? If it’s a DAW there are plenty of free Reverbs that will work.

OK. I see that multiple tracks of the same notes could build up a glob in the middle. Thank.

I’m using Fender Studio Pro 8, and yes, I use their native plugins.

 

[b1j]

I had hoped a Home Recording forum would put me in touch with like-minded hobbyists. But I guess my question might be too specialized for many people to have tried it.