How do I achieve a simular sound to Ed Sheeran

  • Thread starter Thread starter nkberg
  • Start date Start date
N

nkberg

New member
I've been listening alot to Ed's debut album lately (it's called "+"). I'm wondering how I can achieve that soft and nice sound his voice has in alot of the songs. I'm not talking about tone.

To get what I'm talking about, listen to the acoustic version of "The A Team". I was wondering which mic I should purchase and sound card (don't know what it's called) to achieve simular sound, and also some techniques to think about. I'm also quite interested in how the highs and lows fit so nicely, when he sings loud it sounds the same volume-wise as when he sings very quietly.

I'm a noob at this, and only a singer I apologize in advance if any of the questions are placed in the wrong forum :)

Oh, I was also wondering if you think he autotunes any of his tracks? I mean it's not very noticeable if so
 
What arc said ^^^. Go youtubing and listen to live versions of the A Team from Ed S. It's his voice/style, very little to do with the equipment used to record him.
 
nkberg said:
I've been listening alot to Ed's debut album lately (it's called "+"). I'm wondering how I can achieve that soft and nice sound his voice has in alot of the songs. I'm not talking about tone.

To get what I'm talking about, listen to the acoustic version of "The A Team". I was wondering which mic I should purchase and sound card (don't know what it's called) to achieve simular sound, and also some techniques to think about. I'm also quite interested in how the highs and lows fit so nicely, when he sings loud it sounds the same volume-wise as when he sings very quietly.

I'm a noob at this, and only a singer I apologize in advance if any of the questions are placed in the wrong forum :)

Oh, I was also wondering if you think he autotunes any of his tracks? I mean it's not very noticeable if so
Click to expand...

All of your questions are, for the most part, unanswerable and completely misdirected.

The obvious reason is that 1st of all, you're not Ed Sheeran (whoever he may be)*. Secondly, it's almost impossible to find out the exact signal chain used in the recording. Third of all it's impossible to emulate the room that it was recorded in (don't dismiss this as voodoo; it is ALWAYS a huge factor). Fourthly, it is doubtful that you'll be able to emulate it with an off the shelf mic and interface option. Serious artists usually have serious mic choice and technique.

Just focus on being you and making "you" good. Learning what signal chain and mic works with your voice takes time as does learning how to record and mix properly.

Cheers :)

*Not to say you might not be as good; you may be (I don't know you), however it's pretty safe to say that it is almost impossible for two voices to sound alike in two different recordings.
 
Oh, and if you can't hear autotune either it wasn't done or it was done really well. That is as far as we surmise.
 
Thx for the answers guys! I'd like to hear your opinion on this: do you think this is autotune cause it sure sounds like it?!

Listen to 0:29 "And would you TAKE away...", "TAKE" being the word I'm talking about, it sounds very unnatural? What would you say?

(couldn't post link so search for "Ed Sheeran one official audio", it's on his official "ED SHEERAN"-channel and the vid is black and white)
 
Not in a place where I can search and listen - but waht difference does it make whether AT was used or not?
 
The reason I'm asking is because I want to know if he uses AutoTune or not. It changes my opinion of him, sort of
 
From what I have heard of him singing live, admittedly not a great deal, I would say he doesn't use autotune. He's a very good singer but that doesn't mean that the studio producers/engineers don't tickle the vocal tracks here and there with autotune. I doubt you'll ever know.
 
I can almost guarantee that some melodyne is used. I don't know that they even make a record without using some type of pitch correction, no matter how small. There will be exceptions I'm sure but for the most part you can bet it's used. I have watched enough of Ed Sheeran live to know that he is one hell of a singer and doesn't need it, they may use it for effect or whatever though.
 
That's what I thought to, tho the the vid I linked and the "word" I described surely sounds unnatural. However I know he is a very good live singer!
 
Well mic wise, sounds like a condenser of the tube variety, but if that's all natural room tone in there (as opposed to room verb) it may be a bright ribbon mic. For that up close sound and the loud breaths, it's compression. 1176 in limit mode with fast attack/rel works for that effect but you can achieve that with any compressor that has a little grit and a fast response.

Oh but yeah, step 1 is...be Ed Sheeran
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top