Live Vocals

  • Thread starter Thread starter nay
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nay

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I run sound for a local rock/ska/pop band. I'm having trouble with the singers vocals. Seems that he can't stay still or keep a consistent distance from the microphone and I never know when a yell is gonna explode out of him. I'm constantly having to adjust his vocals levels. I was wondering if I should use my NanoCompressor just on his vocals to keep them limited? Would this be a solution to keeping his vocals consistent?
 
This is defenitly a problem.
I would go for compressing and not limiting (you want to even out the sound and also have the softer parts sound louder ).

A limiter is more for a sudden blast of sound but is fairly cosstnt in level.

Good luck
 
Compression will help. But more importantly, you need notes for/from him regarding what the hell he's gonna be doing.
 
Recording Engineer,
I agree whole heartidly about getting a songlist but the band rarely makes one. They aren't trying to make it big they're just having fun. Which to me is great but makes my job harder. I appreciate the insight fellas.

[This message has been edited by nay (edited 12-30-1999).]
 
That may be true, but that doesn't mean they can't sound good while having fun. I hope they're not paying you then. But don't get me wrong. After dealing with the hard ones, it just makes it that much more easy with the tame ones.
 
Just a suggestion...
Every time he starts jumping around and screaming, whack him in the kneecaps with a big stick.
It won't be long before he's cradling the mic and singin' like Johnny Mathis.
 
Hey Hey Nay:

One thing you might add to tame down vocal bursts is a pop filter, maybe even stretch a nylon sock over the original filter if needed.

I like the "carry a big stick theory" as noted by one of our fellow recorders but then you would have to edit the YEOWS, and other expletives.

I don't have much use for compressors; maybe the one I tossed was of inferior quality but I never could get much out of it one way or the other except for the limiting giz and I didn't need that.

I've recorded an album for one client and his professional use of the mic was great; never had to worry about those big unexpected booms because he would back off the mic "just right."

Women are more feisty vocally. Suddenly gals want to let loose a large volume of air and vibrato which equates to LOUD. But, then, the experienced singers usually handle mics pretty well. Suggest you tutor the singer (s) and use a good mic.

Keep twiddling the dials,
Green Hornet
 
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