How to keep the wave form at the same level when I talk and yell.

  • Thread starter Thread starter seancfc
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seancfc

seancfc

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Hey guys, I want to know how to keep the wave form steady when recording vocals. I know it's something about the compression. But.. do I need compression unit? or can I do it through a plug in?

What I mean by, "keep it steady" is, keep it at the same level, no matter if I'm yelling or speaking into the mic. You know?

Here is a video of what I mean - Mixcraft Studio Tips - Getting A Great Vocal Sound Part 1/2 - YouTube - Watch it from 5:30

Thanks :)
 
seancfc said:
I know it's something about the compression. But.. do I need compression unit? or can I do it through a plug in?
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It's mic technique, mainly.
Compressors can achieve what you're describing, but in the same way that auto tuners can make you sound in tune.

The best method is to learn how to sing, and to learn how to work a microphone.

Watch some youtube vids of seasoned professionals (Freddy springs to mind).
Their technique will be a huge part of the reason why they pretty much always sounded perfect live.
 
There is a video of John Lennon singing into the mic.

He does what Steen said perfectly.

Sings farther away when he is louder, and sings closer when he is quieter.

But yes, compression does what you are asking. You could use a plug-in.

Here is the video. Notice at 0:51 how he moves away from the mic.

 
seancfc said:
Hahaha I thought I heard him mention your name to me one day lol
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Lol. Good stuff Sean.

Man, you wouldn't believe the potential difference in mixing workload between a singer who doesn't move and a singer who knows how to.

If someone came in with great mic technique, warm up techniques, stamina etc, I'd bend over backwards to help them out.
 
if you're recording, there are four things you can do.

1) back off the mic for louder parts - just takes a little practice and figuring out how far back and what the volume is going to be. but being further back changes the sound some and introduces more of the room.
2) compression (plug-in will work fine) - do you know how to use a compressor? if not this is going to create more problems than it will fix. learn to use a compressor!
3) automate the volume (turn it down during loud parts) - figure out how to "automate" in your DAW and turn the volume up and down as it plays.
4) record two tracks - one quiet one loud.

I'd probably do 3) or 4)...3) lets you do the whole take at once, which may be more natural for you, but 4) lets you have a ton of control over the tracks and volumes and mixing.
 
Steenamaroo said:
Lol. Good stuff Sean.

Man, you wouldn't believe the potential difference in mixing workload between a singer who doesn't move and a singer who knows how to.

If someone came in with great mic technique, warm up techniques, stamina etc, I'd bend over backwards to help them out.
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Haha. what warm ups do you do?
 
The trick I use when recording somebody who has "loud bits" is to use two mics (and two tracks obviously) with one the normal distance away and a second identical mic about 18 inches farther. In effect this just simulates the sort of mic technique suggested above without the singer needed to think about moving.
 
Bobbsy said:
The trick I use when recording somebody who has "loud bits" is to use two mics (and two tracks obviously) with one the normal distance away and a second identical mic about 18 inches farther. In effect this just simulates the sort of mic technique suggested above without the singer needed to think about moving.
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Forgot about that. That can be really useful.
 
Bobbsy said:
The trick I use when recording somebody who has "loud bits" is to use two mics (and two tracks obviously) with one the normal distance away and a second identical mic about 18 inches farther. In effect this just simulates the sort of mic technique suggested above without the singer needed to think about moving.
Click to expand...

So how do you keep the close mic from going crazy when the singer starts to get loud? Automation or compression? I've always been interested in double-mic vocal techniques but have never really tried it!
 
I don't worry about the close mic when the singer gets loud--I only use one of them at a time and edit (well, usually a very fast x-fade) between the two as required.
 
Bobbsy said:
I don't worry about the close mic when the singer gets loud--I only use one of them at a time and edit (well, usually a very fast x-fade) between the two as required.
Click to expand...

Ahhh ok :) Thanks!
 
If you're gonna be singing live, it would be good to learn the technique that Steenaroo mentioned.
 
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