Just starting my first mix

  • Thread starter Thread starter Leva
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Leva

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hi All,
Just got all the parts recorded and now I'm ready to start mixing. I have a pretty good idea of what I whant to hear, but so far I was not able to get what I want.

1. How would I get read of some "Ssssssssss" sounds on vocals and loud breaths between phrases?

2. How would I make the volcals sound more in the center, warmer and closer?

3. How would I make sound of a flute sound like it is approaching from afar?

4. Generally, what effects, mixing technics I would use on vocals plus acoustic guitar?

Thank you all and sorry for such basic stuff...
 
The only stupid question is the one never asked. ...man, I used to hate when people told me that :D

Anyway, the answers depend on your equipment, and may or may not be so basic.

So let us know what you're using (4-track, computer, etc...), and we'll throw some ideas at you.
 
Hello Leva,

I'm sorry to say that I can't be much help in the mixing department but you will get a ton of help in here on it so just wait a bit and the answers will come rolling in.

As far as removing the Breath sounds and SS's and stuff...usually you can use a pop filter when singing and it should take care of that. There was a pretty cool post in one of the other forums about how to make a homemade one. Basically they just took an embroidery hoop and stretched a pair of nylons over over it and got a mic clip and that was it.

If you don't want to make one, you can buy them for less than 30 bucks. Hope this helps!!

God Bless!
 
my equipment

I have a computer based home studio:
Nuendo/Cakewalk/WaveLab + Roland VM-3100

The song has 2 vocal parts, 3 acoustic guitars (rythm, solo, 12-string as background) and a flute.

THANKS!
 
Leva said:
hi All,
Just got all the parts recorded and now I'm ready to start mixing. I have a pretty good idea of what I whant to hear, but so far I was not able to get what I want.

1. How would I get read of some "Ssssssssss" sounds on vocals and loud breaths between phrases?

2. How would I make the volcals sound more in the center, warmer and closer?

3. How would I make sound of a flute sound like it is approaching from afar?

4. Generally, what effects, mixing technics I would use on vocals plus acoustic guitar?

Thank you all and sorry for such basic stuff...
Click to expand...
Here's some ideas:
1. Generally a de-esser plug-in. You can also use eq. You need to locate the frequency of the ssss sound and reduce it (which is what a de-esser does). The exact frequency will vary somewhat between males and females, and also between different singers.
2. Usually less reverb will bring the vocals closer to the listener.
3. Sort of the reverse of #2. If you have a way to vary the amount of reverb (e.g., an effects envelope), you can start with a wetter reverb and gradually lessen it. The wetter reverb will sound further away, and as you gradually reduce it, it will seem to move closer. You can do this in Sonar, but not in Cakewalk PA9 (if that is what you have). Not sure about Nuendo.
4. No real answer to this. Depends on what it needs and the sound you are looking for. If it was recorded well, it may only need some volume adjustments and maybe a touch of reverb (or maybe not :) ). The vocals may need some compression, if the singer was very uneven, and you may need some eq if the guitars and vocals seem to be fighting each other. Again, it all depends on what you got and where you want to go.
 
All good advice. I've never seen that mixer before - looks cool as hell.

If you're not able to use envelopes for effects, you can destructively accomplish the same thing in Wavelab.
 
Dear dachay2tnr!
THANKS!

Could you please tell me a bit more about envelopes?
THANKS
 
An envelope is simply a way of automating a parameter over time. An obvious example would be using a volume envelope to create a fade-out. IOW, you are gradually lowering the volume over the time of the fade.

The introduction of DX8 in Windows provided the ability to automate FX parameters as well (e.g., the wet-dry ratio of a reverb) in addition to volume and pan automation which have been around awhile.

Cakewalk PA9 has volume and pan envelopes, but FX automation did not become available until Sonar 1.0 (at least in the Cakewalk family of products).

Sean - cool tip about Wavelab. I wasn't even aware that Wavelab had envelopes. Seems though that you can only use them in the audio montage view, correct? Also, I was able to apply a volume and a pan envelope, but the "effects" envelope selection is greyed out. Any ideas on what I'm missing?
 
Unfortunately, I'm at work (they'd kill me if I installed it here), but I'll take a look when I get home.
 
There's one reverb on the VM3100Pro that I like on vocals. It's the Room Ambience preset. I went in cut the highs, increased the diffusion and set the predelay for the timing in the song and it helps to thicken up vocals and give them a touch of ambience where you can't really hear the reverb but it helps the vocal not sound so dry.
 
how would you envelope in logic audio?
i know how to use track automation to make envelopes with different points with volume and panning.
and there is an effects send bypass, that either turns an effect on, or off.
but how would you envelope effects the same way you do volume and panning?
 
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