Hey guys get ready for some questions that I'm sure you've already heard!

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NeoMatriX

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Hey guys get ready for some questions that I'm sure you've already heard!

1)
What is Phantom Power exactly? I need to know when and how to use it.

I should know better but I am using a shure 55sh mic for vocals (temporarily)

2)
I'm having trouble mixing Vocals with Music. I could never get it just right ya know. What advice could you guys give me to help me get the best mix?

3)
What would be a good compression setting for some warm, smooth ambient vocals. I produce alot of techno and progressive house and I am using the AutoComp Compressor be Behringer. (Hope that helps!)

Any info would be appreciated!
 
Well, I can answer one of the questions -

Phantom power is a +48v supply that is used to power condenser mics. Generally, the power for this comes from the mixer or the preamp, although you can get standalone supply units. The power is sent to the mic using the cold and common lines of a balanced cable.

As for the other questions, well, I'm not great guns, so I won't embarass myself providing a crap answer. Search through te older posts, and for the compression question look for stuff that Shailat posted, cos he knows his compression stuff.

- gaffa
 
I'll try and help you some with your second question but im not an expert. First wait a few days after tracking to do the mix, you really will be amazed at how much better it sounds. The only other thing I know to tell you is to play with the mids for the vocals. Oh yeah panning make sure you have everything panned correctly this will really clear things up.
 
Pre-emtive Strike

I haven't used it, but I'm going to hazard a pre-emtive strike here and suggest the RNC for your compressor. Someone else is bound to suggest it to you. It's about $175 USD and I've read rave reviews about it on this site. Use the search button on the top of the page and read a little about it.

--Tax :D
 
I'll combine questions 2 and 3.

To make the vocals part of the song and not stick out you will have to deal with - Panning - Effects - dynamic processing - EQ- mic placment - mic choice.

Here is some BASIC info.

Panning - typicaly they will be centered due to the fact of lead vocals being the focul point of the song.

Effects - a dry voice might sound unatural ( although today many engineers are shying away from Reverb and like the vox very upfront). A reverb will place the vocals closer ( less reverb) or futher away ( more reverb) from the rest of the mix.
Try to get the vocals to be in the same plane as the rest of the instruments or a little BEFORE the rest.
Using a warm hall or a clear plate is a choice to be made as well as amount of decay -diffusion- Freq content-and use of pre delay. Any misuse of these parameters can cause a vocal to standout like a thorn in the mix.
Most starters tend to swamp there vocals in reverb...... Don't.
Also understand that the room you record in will effect the sound as well. The distance from the walls, the amount of absortion-reflection in the room and walls etc.....

If you choose to use Delay you have several options but you must be aware that fancy use of a delay with fancy panning left and righ might actully weaken the vocals.
To much of any effect is doomed to cause problems. Better less then more in all cases.
Read up on all these topics (soon I will post a article on reverb and the parameters).

EQ - will help you seperate and shape the color of your vocals. From cutting low unnecassery freq's under 60Hz-80Hz that will give you more clarity with out losing the body of the vocals, to adding Warmth from 250Hz-500Hz, to cutting some mud around 300Hz, to cutting soma harshness around 2-4k, (3-5k might actuly add presence to your vocals) to opening the vocals from 5k and above. Excitement can come from 10-12k

Compression - will help them sit better in the mix and add clarity of the melody and text . The use of a soft knee will help you smooth the vocals. The compressor is at it's best when gain reduction is rarely happening.

Mic placment - with proximity effect you can warm your vocals a bit. Since you are using a dynamic be aware that the design reinforces a low feq roll off if you want or not. Sing into the mic and not of axsis. With a dynamic
mic if you sing off axsis you will thin the sound.

Mic choice - some are warmer - smoother sounding then others. It doesn't seem to be that you have a choice.....

Preamps tend to play an important role as well(more then what many people think). Some stand alone pre's, have a warmer sound then many mixer pre's. Each pre is a different world with a different sound.


These are some of the basic things you should start with. The more you know the better it will sound.


Good Luck
 
Last edited:
*smacks forehead*

DOH!! He was asking about compressor SETTINGS, not COMPRESSORS. :(

Okay, so I speed read through this one. Sorry guys. ;)

--Tax :D
 
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