Need Guidance n Support on Vocal Quality

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StrictlyB

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Hey guys, my vocals are just sounding real boxy and chunky, and doesn't have the sharp clear-cut nature of radio-friendly hiphop tracks. This is my latest track, it just feels like i added flanger and seems so robotic. I'm looking for an outcome like Drake or Kanye West, where the vocal just sounds clean to the ear.
I'm evidently doing something wrong and perhaps you could take a listen and see where i'm going wrong.
If it helps my effect chain is (I'm using Adobe Audition 3 btw)

Noise Reduction--Dynamics Processing--EQ--Dynamics Processing (Fast Attack)--Reverb--Delay--FFT Mastering Filter

Here's a couple of links, the effect chain is the same in all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDKadgd107k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t9EEPuOVeU&feature=related
 
StrictlyB said:
Hey guys, my vocals are just sounding real boxy and chunky, and doesn't have the sharp clear-cut nature of radio-friendly hiphop tracks. This is my latest track, it just feels like i added flanger and seems so robotic. I'm looking for an outcome like Drake or Kanye West, where the vocal just sounds clean to the ear.
I'm evidently doing something wrong and perhaps you could take a listen and see where i'm going wrong.
If it helps my effect chain is (I'm using Adobe Audition 3 btw)

Noise Reduction--Dynamics Processing--EQ--Dynamics Processing (Fast Attack)--Reverb--Delay--FFT Mastering Filter

Here's a couple of links, the effect chain is the same in all...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDKadgd107k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t9EEPuOVeU&feature=related
Click to expand...
Really low volume on Youtube. Can you increase the volume? Are you mastering this? Sounds really far away, too much reverb? What are you using for backing tracks?
 
StrictlyB said:
Noise Reduction--Dynamics Processing--EQ--Dynamics Processing (Fast Attack)--Reverb--Delay--FFT Mastering Filter
Click to expand...

Why do you have both a reverb and delay? Two instances of Dynamics Processing? Try to pare it down, you really don't need so many FX on a hip-hop vocal.

I think the problem lays more in the performance, your flow needs more clarity, it sounds quite mumbly. You sound like you're literally spitting all over your microphone, you can hear the saliva in your words.
 
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@ido here you go, some rapidshare links at 320 kbp

http://rapidshare.com/files/421377455/Hypnotiq-_Dub_Freestyle.mp3.html
http://rapidshare.com/files/421377171/Hearing_Voices_mixdown.mp3.html

and the beat is just a usual track, like an ordinary 320kbp rap instrumental, not a youtube rip. Mastering, i'll be honest, i am not sure the difference between that and mixing despite numerous google searches. All i found was that it makes it good enough quality for release but that didn't help much. And possibly too much reverb.

@funkdaddy, oh ok, i added reverb to create some space and delay just to thicken the vocal but didn't realise that was excessive. And I just piled on compression cos i thought that would make it better quallity. In terms of the saliva, that's possible during the freestyle because it was a very fast flow so saliva control was minimal.

HOWEVER, do either of you or anyone else have any suggestions on whats missing or what I am adding too much of?
 
Horrible Shit LOL :laughings:

To start with your whole production sounds like every other guy out there who thinks they are a hip hop artist. It's very poor sounding and you have to be deaf in order not to notice how bad it sounds. It's perfectly fine if you want to be a rapper, but so does every other brain dead moron who starts talking with a thug accent and takes up Ebonics as their major in hip hop college.

Just because everyone else sounds bad doesn't make what you're doing, good or any better. First if you're going to do it, do it right. If you want to get there fast(er) take some courses on audio engineering and music production.

Also rapping really fast like that is cool, but you have to really line it up right with the music in order for it to sound good. It sounds to me like you're mumbling a bunch of shit. You want it to be clean, clear and coherent. It's none of those things.

I'm not trying to hate on your music or what you're doing, but if you want real advice do it better than everyone else out there. Put some time and put some work into it. Saying everything really fast does not make it better, it only makes it faster, but also sloppier...
 
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The 320 track was much better. The vocals are clear and sit out front. I'm no rapper but the rapping is too fast. I can't understand 90% of what you're saying. The message/story is being wasted because the audience can't hear it. I only know a few Billboard rappers like m and m, 50cent etc. And they rap nice and slow and match the beat well. I think the snare is too loud too.
Keep it up it's sounding good....
 
haha this is why i like this place the conflict in opinions


i like the rapping...I think you are still finding your feet as it loses its rhythm a bit at spots but you got the basics down...I think what would draw attention to it is more little breaks/stops and maybe pronouncing a few single words, or slowing it down, drawing emphasis back to the rap.... as the bass, which you dont really want to lose, becomes the focal point and your rap just becomes a rhythm part after a while

second one works better...the effects sometimes swamp your rap at the end of some parts..careful, maybe pull back on them a little..
is this just out the box beats or something you did yourself? very nice regardless...this sound like something you could complete pretty easily with some tweaking

nice effort...keep at it :)

oh and youtube fucking sucks....really degrades the quality
 
Thanks very much for the support and i get the point about the ACTUAL rapping, but I'm talking about the quality of the vocal track, it's really muffly, and sounds really bad quality. @FoulPhil, appreciate the honesty but college in UK is different, im actually looking to do med at university so i'm studying sciences for A-Level (IB Equivalent), you can't just do courses in random stuff. There's a lot of people out there able to create nice outcomes with similar setups at similar ages.
What am i missing?
 
StrictlyB said:
Thanks very much for the support and i get the point about the ACTUAL rapping, but I'm talking about the quality of the vocal track, it's really muffly, and sounds really bad quality. @FoulPhil, appreciate the honesty but college in UK is different, im actually looking to do med at university so i'm studying sciences for A-Level (IB Equivalent), you can't just do courses in random stuff. There's a lot of people out there able to create nice outcomes with similar setups at similar ages.
What am i missing?
Click to expand...

what are you using as a mic (please dont say a usb one)?


why do you need so many effects?


where are you recording them?


are you seeing these similar set up on youtube...because I heard one a month or so agao, and the rapper wanted to imitate what another rapper was producing with a samson usb mic

thing is an expert using a usb mic is going to get far better results than a n00b...and it doesnt comes down to just the mic...its comes down to recording techniques, the room, the way the vocals where treated afterwards


there are some great points on recording vocals here...Im not sure they pertain to rapping but its generally the same procedure

http://kimlajoie.wordpress.com/tag/vocals/
 
Yup the devil's mic- Samson CO1U USB condenser. I bought it as a n00b rapper not really looking into other options apart from what rapper X has. I'm recording it in an office, but what's a temporary solution for that? Some people suggested blankets around the mic?
I just pile on the effects assuming it'll do the job, ive spent soo much time researching what each one does and i got perfect results in Cool Edit actually applying the effects onto the wave but VSTs didn't work and I downloaded AA3. I learnt how to bus tracks, and bussing effects just made my sound shitty.

It's possible not using treated rooms which is how I know you can get studio quality..look at this guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX69ifEPqKM
 
dude...he's not recording live...hes miming


that looks like a behri c-1 or c-3 mic and you wont get that quality jumping about in the middle of a bedroom at 3am no matter what his youtube says lol


Ive used small closets/wardrobes to record in, hanging thick blankets or quilts around will help, just takes a bit of experimentation


when adding effects or processing your vocals ask yourself at each stage why are you doing it and does it need it...if you dont have an answer then dont do it


delay and reverb can do the same job...they give your vocals depth, EQ helps give it clarity and presence and stops it being masked by other instruments..if its being masked, if not...dont EQ it

compression can squash the dynamics when over used..experiment, look up basic settings and work from there...do not rely on presets...remember too much compression can also bring up the noise floor

whats the mastering filter for, whats being mastered?

mosts vocals take many many takes....most vocals taken in studios are pitched altered, have even the slightest fault in a word replaced and punched in...i doubt there is ones track, including your friends on youtube, that isnt comp'd...no one takes mate


really its quite a bit of work but if you want to succeed you'd better study and practise hard..as there are no magic plugins and there are thousands with usb mics who want to sound like "pros" on youtube...its mentioned because we see it a lot in here


heh at least you have some raw talent, thats a plus...my advice retrack it to the best of your ability with more attention spent on your surroundings

try to make it fit with the volume first then ask the questions

is this good, if not why not?

the bass is covering it up and it sounds muddy


then EQ it


its the right volume but clipping the fader or has spikes


then compress it


it sounds like its sitting on top of everything


then add reverb


dont do anything without asking why or what
 
StrictlyB said:
hmmm that was really helpful, but still doesn't explain how D-Pryde gets his quality recording in a ordinary bedroom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp5aQcpg5ss

this is another piece of proof. i mean i was wondering could you deduce what's been done to the vocal?
Click to expand...

proof?


hes just talking??


or do you mean at the end?


he's recording himself well, clearly, and using the appropriate processes when required

theres no secret there..hes recording good performances thats all, he's good at what he does

theres a saying here..garbage in, garbage out..and its true

practise mic techniques and improve your room....do not think you are going to get good results for a while, i do this every day for hours and it took me nearly a year to get a decent mix...how long have you been at it?
 
StrictlyB said:
4-5 months...i changed my program 2 weeks ago.
Click to expand...

OK, so you do it a few hours a week..you are probably at the level you should be for that length


now im not trying to condescend but you will need to read up on how audio processes work..when i get to a point i cant get any further I read..i research..i learn mate, you've got to too


you seem to chuck a lot of effects at your vocals and that probably does you no favours...

I bet a good understanding of how to use compression and reverb will get you much further than posting youtube videos and saying how do i sound like this


the guy obviously knows how to use technique and what he's got very well...Im surprised he gets that quality out of a bedroom...but i dont doubt he does...but I bet if you asked him how a compressor works he'll know..or he'll know someone who does if you get my drift :)
 
I have it too and yes it is a great book....not overly complicated jargon either
 
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