Help with vocal tracks

[chestwick91]

Ok now, my band has damm near put out an ep that i am kind of proud of ( which is odd because i am my own biggest cridict) anyway, We have no vocalist. Right now it's me...i suck but i am better then the others...My problem is...with headphones Most of the time i can stay in key...but sometimes i just sound like crap, or i sound whinny. Is there any microphone or recording technique or any sort of software or editing, or mastering, that could make me sound better?

laugh first...then answer the question
PLEASE HELP

 

[wesley tanner]

more air. that's almost always the answer. if you really want more you'll need a vocal coach, or you'll need to give us examples of your ailings.

 

[jkokura]

I would be willing to bet that very little of your problem is equipment or mic technique or mastering. None of that stuff can change your result. If there was software or mics that could make my guitar playing sound like Stevie Ray or Jimi then what would be the point of anyone playing?

I know it's not nice, but the vocal problems you have are mostly a result of improper singing. Everyone could use more help singing better, and usually, after some lessons on proper technique will make any vocalist a lot better.

Some initial help - if it's nasaly (Billy Corgan), it's because you're singing out of your head. If it's weak and whiny (can't think of an example), it's because you're not using enough air. If it's too throaty and forced (Scott Stapp at his worst), it's because you're using too much air.

Try this - learn some breathing exercises - controlled breathing is very important. Also, learn how to take care of your voice. A singing performance starts the week before you actually sing. Learn how to warm up your voice - singing before you're warm and do irrepariable damage. Sing from your belly button - NOT your head, or throat. Out of tune? If you're flat try smiling more and if you're sharp try frowning more. Just some ideas to help you start, but if you take a months worth of singing lessons you'll likely start to see major differences...

jacob

 

[bigj]

Good post Jacob...thanks for the hints...im no vocalist, but my daughter is becoming one...I think all she needs is time and experience, because the RAW voice is there, now she needs to make sure she cultivates it into something that will blow minds! at least on the genre she is singing that would be spanish reggae!

 

[mrbowes]

Try a 1-3db boost at 12k or 16k - this boost will give the impression of more "air".

 

[AGCurry]

Is there any microphone or recording technique or any sort of software or editing, or mastering, that could make me sound better?

No, not really, if the problem is your singing technique.

If you are a good singer but dislike the TIMBRE of your voice, mic selection and placement can help.

 

[RezN8]

Good tips provided above - esp. from Jacob.

You are controlling muscles that need to be developed. Whether you choose to get a coach or not, you still need to build muscle strength. (You can't run a marathon if your legs get tired just going 'round the block).

Can't tell if you mean "whiney" or "nasally" without hearing examples first. Could mean you have allergies (nasally), could mean you were exposed to too much brat rock (a la Blink 182), R.E.M., Radiohead, etc. (whiney)

Sometimes for a "nasally" sounding vocal, I'll put a condenser above the nose, angled down toward the mouth. Sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't.

Also remember at high decibels our ears naturally detune what we hear. This often leads us to sing flat, thinking we are dead on. Simple solution: turn down the mix in your headphones.

 

[Lambo]

I agree, that was a very good post Jacob. I would like to add that I did find a piece of gear that has improved my singing. This is not meant to refute what has been stated, but to add that there are various methods/devices for improving vocals. And No, it's no miracle box, it just forced me to be more cognizant of my vocal delivery. The piece of gear I am referring to is the VoiceLive by TC Helicon. It does have pitch correction but to be honest I can't tell the difference between when it's enabled or disabled. Pitch correction has to be one of the most overstated functions on the planet IMHO. I have found the harmony function to be quite useful for vocal training. Surprisingly the harmony is quite good (for a box) IF you sing on key AND control the plosives which is quite a feat with a condensor. The VoiceLive is very unflattering if you do not sing on key but very complimentary when you do. I practice as often as I can; after all practice makes perfect. There are days I don't sound half bad and other days that I can't stand to be in the same room myself. What's the difference? ME of course . Don't get me wrong, on my good days I still suck but just not as bad. YMMV

 

[jkokura]

Thanks guys, good to know I'm not just talking out my butt...

Jacob

 

[chestwick91]

thanks

thanks jacob i have known of a few methods like you described. Not that it's a real good source for vocals, but in high school i was in choir so our teacher was our coach...Maybe we sucked but i never really got the proper way to sing from the gut...I sometimes felt i had it...because when i broke my back i had to do the same excersices with my chiropractor but i still couldent tell if i was getting it...is there an easy way to figure it out...Do you have any methods of vocal warm up?.. One thing i got out of it was that i KNOW I AM SINGING WITH MY THROAT because i stick my neck out and pull my head up, and i can feel it.. in that case dont we all do it...or do you sugest that i don't at all sing with my throat... I am not going for Screaming but at the same time i am not going for total soft sad voice

 

[tubesandteles]

Singing Techniques

I always see the same strange pattern with vocal advice on here.
You have cures for nasally, whiny, throaty, and breathy. Then you have real world examples for these problems. Like the horribly nasally and whiny Billy Corgan, and the horribly breathy and throaty Scott Stapp.
They are platinum selling artists. What the hell do you guys want people to sound like, choir directors?
I can't seem to think of any hit songs that I have heard on the radio that struck me as former choir instructors.
Embrace what makes your voice different! Correct singing is for choir and Thespian conferences. Broadway doesn't even want proper singing, they want character voices.
Sheesh.

 

[mrbowes]

I always see the same strange pattern with vocal advice on here.
You have cures for nasally, whiny, throaty, and breathy. Then you have real world examples for these problems. Like the horribly nasally and whiny Billy Corgan, and the horribly breathy and throaty Scott Stapp.
They are platinum selling artists. What the hell do you guys want people to sound like, choir directors?
I can't seem to think of any hit songs that I have heard on the radio that struck me as former choir instructors.
Embrace what makes your voice different! Correct singing is for choir and Thespian conferences. Broadway doesn't even want proper singing, they want character voices.
Sheesh.

While I totally agree that one should embrace his or her unique vocal style, singing technique can prevent permanent damage to the vocal chords caused by over-singing. It's possible to retain unique style whilest improving form and technique.

 

[tubesandteles]

What a dick..

'It's okay to suck to sell recorders" It isn't about sucking, it is about moving people. People buy things that move them in the way that they want to be moved. If people just want to dance, they buy things that make them feel good with a beat they can move to.

To whoever negative repped me with this quote. FU C K You!
People don't MAKE people buy records. People buy records because they like them. Nobody should say what is allowed to be liked.
Improper singing techniques are the bread and butter of hit songs and radio play. It is a fact of life. Sure you should use proper technique as best as you can while touring the world and singing over and over again.
In the studio, one can sound the way they want.
Think about screamo or any of that stuff. That CAN'T be good for the vocal cords, but some people REALLY love the way it sounds.
All I can say, is the Rep thing should be GONE. They don't have it at gearslutz, and they shouldn't have it here. All it does is PISS people off. I am SO Pissed off at this.
I was trying to give some meaningful insight. I was trying to leave a shortcut for someone trying to find the answer, rather than them finding it slowly as I have had to with years of vocal training, choir, reading books....talking with artists and whatnot.
I was NOT being a "dic k". I get tired of people bit ching about technique, major label artists....etc.
The ONLY artists in the world that rocked were the Beatles.
Can I get good rep now?
WE should all breath perfectly and sound like Celine Dion?
Maybe one day we can join in a mass choir and all sound exactly the same!

 

[Robert D]

One day at the forums..........

Thanks guys, good to know I'm not just talking out my butt...

i have known of a few methods like you described. Not that it's a real good source for vocals.

some people REALLY love the way it sounds.

It's unique style whilest improving form and technique.

You are controlling muscles that need to be developed

mic selection and placement can help.

Ouch!

i stick my neck out and pull my head up, and i can feel it.

Dbl ouch!

Maybe one day we can join in a mass choir.

that will blow minds!

 

[PhilGood]

I'd have to say there are alot of singers/artists that use the "suck factor" to their advantage. Look at Jack White. He took crappy sound, singing and playing and got a whole world of people convinced that it's pure brilliance! How? Because he decided that was the sound he wanted. He used it to his advantage and it worked! Never underestimate your audience to buy what they hear.

If that's the sound you want, use it to your advantage.

If not...hire a singer.

 

[chestwick91]

Thanks tube and phil....Funny responce...i listen to a lot of crappy singers and love them...white stripes is one of them....However i guess i am not all that sure if i want that sound. i Guess i just gotta practice and see what i, like if anythings..So we will have to see what goes on when i record Tube you had great advice thanks man

 

[cpc]

weird, jack white is one of the few modern rock artists that i can actually stand listening to.

i agree with whoever said that a unique voice is more important than trying to sound "proper".

 

[jkokura]

I always see the same strange pattern with vocal advice on here.
You have cures for nasally, whiny, throaty, and breathy. Then you have real world examples for these problems. Like the horribly nasally and whiny Billy Corgan, and the horribly breathy and throaty Scott Stapp.
They are platinum selling artists. What the hell do you guys want people to sound like, choir directors?
I can't seem to think of any hit songs that I have heard on the radio that struck me as former choir instructors.
Embrace what makes your voice different! Correct singing is for choir and Thespian conferences. Broadway doesn't even want proper singing, they want character voices.
Sheesh.

That's the thing. Those guys sing properly and that's how thier voices sound! It's not that they try to sound that way by not singing properly, it's that what comes out when they sing from the gut, use proper form and write music, we get that kind of sound.

Also recognize that while every singer sounds their own way, sometimes people don't listen because of that. I have lots of friends who hate Radiohead because of his whiny mumbling...You can sing properly and still be whiny or throaty or whatever, but sing properly and you'll still have your own sound. You're right that nobody sings with operatic form, but proper form isn't operatic, it's just good technique.

Jacob

 

[chestwick91]

Thanks to all...i feel much better about my singing, but whats the best way to feel like your singing from your gut....is there any easy lesson? By the way radiohead is sweet! and the white stripes are too...but we all know meg white sucks

 

[jkokura]

Thanks to all...i feel much better about my singing, but whats the best way to feel like your singing from your gut....is there any easy lesson? By the way radiohead is sweet! and the white stripes are too...but we all know meg white sucks

Just do it........(Nike...)

But seriously, when I learned about this, the person who told me about it, and then I tried it - and I did it. It took practice to do it all the time, but I just did it.

jacob