Panning vocals

[Astral Minstrel]

So, I like the big, full sound I get when I double track a lead vocal and pan hard left & hard right. (Is this considered an acceptable thing to do, by the way?) My question is: I'm recording a song that has a backing vocal track that consists of two harmonized voices. (Think *Abbey Road*: "She Came In Throught the Bathroom Window," etc.) If my double-tracked lead vocal is panned hard left & hard right, then how would I want to pan the backing vocals so as not to confuse the ear, but to still get the lush, full effect I'm after?

 

[danny.guitar]

Are you applying any effects on the vocals? Just panning one left and the other right is the same thing as having a single mono vocal panned center, except there is a 3db increase in volume.

You can pan the main vocal center, and apply a stereo reverb to it, and then pan each backing vocal left/right, and apply another reverb to them.

No one can give you exact settings for your song, especially without hearing it, but what I suggested is a good starting point and is common in a lot of songs.

Uploading an MP3 of your mix is a good way to get better/more "accurate" advice.

 

[RAMI]

Just panning one left and the other right is the same thing as having a single mono vocal panned center, except there is a 3db increase in volume.

HUH???
Not if you double the vocals by actually singing them twice. Record 2 tracks, pan them, that's definitely NOT just mono.

 

[Dani Pace]

Pan things where you like the sound of them, there is no set rule saying it has to be done any certain way. It is common for the main vocal to be more centered with harmony tracks panned but if it works better another way then dare to be different. One thing I will suggest is using different mics for the main and backing vocals. Be sure the backing vocals are harmonic, not repitions of the main vocal. If they are too similar they will become lost in the mix and perhaps muddy up the main vocal.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

You gotta take the whole arrangement into account. if you insist on the hard-panned lead vocals, then you gotta look at where you want to put everything else, not just backing vocals. As Dani says, there are no rules saying that "this has to go there" specifically, but you do want to look at which tracks are in danger of masking, muddying or otherwise fighting each other because they share similar sonic characteristics and/or arrangement roles.

For example, if you have a call and response kind of thing happening between backing vocals and another instrument, you may want the vocals a bit to one aide and the responing instrument a bit to the other. If the accompanying vocals are more of a choral instrument than a lyrical vocal, then you want to ask yourself whether you want them as a more localized track or with a more beneral background spread to them (either way works, it's to taste). Any way you slice it, you'll want to keep spectral balance in mind, giving each instrument each room to breathe on it's own (e.g. if the vocals and the guitars or the keyboards clash, then keep them away from each other. If they are complimentary sounding together, them move them close to make more room elsewhere for the rest of the stuff. etc.)

G.

 

[Astral Minstrel]

Thanks, all! I appreciate the advice.

 

[danny.guitar]

HUH???
Not if you double the vocals by actually singing them twice. Record 2 tracks, pan them, that's definitely NOT just mono.

Oops must have missed the double-track part. For some reason I thought he meant duplicated. My mistake.

 

[RAMI]

Oops must have missed the double-track part. For some reason I thought he meant duplicated. My mistake.

Yeah, I was pretty sure you knew that. That's why I was surprised.

 

[gasandmatches]

for the most part I pan double vocals about 60-75%. sometimes 100% sounds too wide. Then this gives you room in the 75-100% range to pan your back up vocals. in my opinion back up vocals sound much better farther from the center than the lead vocal.