Please Help to make a vocal track sit properly

[JK009]

Hi

My vocal track did not sit on the mix. In the parts with some syllable boots the track over 0db
As a newbie, I would like to process a vocal track by Cubase5 , Window Vista. I would be grateful if you give your helps

Cubase5, Window Vista

1/Do I need to make a FX channel, then send my main Vocal track to it? Say for effect insert
2/Plug-in Compressor will be inserted into FX channel or main vocal track?
3/How to set compressor to be pre-fade? Parallel Comp or Serial Comp?
4/Compress some parts or whole track?
5/Out put the FX channel to master stereo out? or where?
6/Should Delay and Reverb be placed in the final chain?
7/Delay & Reverb should be inserted in main vocal track or in FX channel?
8/ Automation is normal before any comp/deley/reverb?
9/ Is it good chain: Automation, Auto tune , EQ, De-sse, Compress , Delay, Reverb???

Dear all my professional brothers, please give your advice or
Could you please show me to the link of any discussion or instruction?

 

[mixsit]

First, welcome.

You got a mess of questions there, all in all looks like you're gona need to get some basics, back up, take it a bit one or two steps at a time.

(..There's mo way to teach the prog' (looks like that's needed here?), figure out what is needed for a particular track, then do routing, compressors.. all in one string of posts.
How far is your understanding of Cubase for a start?

1) Depending on where it's 'going over 0'.. At the track or on the master, what is the track level set at, what's the master set at?
Anywho, most likely a good start is to get back some room to move -head room for your mix- Reduce the track (or tracks) levels so they aren't in the 'red and make it so when the master is set at zero it isn't over (in the red)

 

[msr001]

I concur with Mixsit, you got a mess o' questions there. What I do for vocals, first off is try and use the fewest effects you can. The more you put in there, the more likely you are going to have problems. Keep it simple. In general, I start with EQ. I start with both a high and low rolloff and then a broad dip at around 500 Hz. That usually gets pretty close and then you can tweak from there. Beyond that, you might try using a multiband compressor for De-essing if need be and also possibly add a small amount of reverb to give it a little shine. But not so much that it sounds like you're singing in a cave. Bottom line, don't make it any more complicated than you have to.

msr

 

[Ethan Winer]

My vocal track did not sit on the mix.

Here's a very simple technique that works well: Send all of the tracks except the vocal to one output bus, then send the vocal to another bus. Put an EQ on each bus, with the vocal EQ set for 2-3 dB boost at 1-2 KHz and a Q of 1. Then set the music bus EQ to cut the same amount and frequency with the same Q. Voila - instant clarity.

--Ethan

 

[bouldersoundguy]

My answers will be generic since I don't know Cubase.

1/Do I need to make a FX channel, then send my main Vocal track to it? Say for effect insert

FX channels are good for reverbs, delays etc.

2/Plug-in Compressor will be inserted into FX channel or main vocal track?

Insert eqs and compressors on the track, or on a submix group.

3/How to set compressor to be pre-fade? Parallel Comp or Serial Comp?

Inserted effects should be automatically pre-fader, and are by definition serial.

4/Compress some parts or whole track?

The threshold control determines what parts get compressed. When the signal rises above the threshold it gets compressed. When the signal is below the threshold it's not affected.

5/Out put the FX channel to master stereo out? or

Normally you will route the FX back to the main mix, but if you're using submix groups you might route it there. For example, if you have a vocal submix and a dedicated vocal reverb, you might route the reverb to the vocal submix.

6/Should Delay and Reverb be placed in the final chain?

If you mean putting those effects on the main bus, probably not.

7/Delay & Reverb should be inserted in main vocal track or in FX channel?

FX channel, with occasional exceptions.

8/ Automation is normal before any comp/deley/reverb?

Automation may be applied to almost any parameter. Track volume automation is normally post-insert. You can edit the track audio so the changes happen before the inserts. Effects sends are generally set to post-fader, but there may be times when you want them pre-fader.

9/ Is it good chain: Automation, Auto tune , EQ, De-sse, Compress , Delay, Reverb???

It really depends on what the track needs and how your DAW operates. I put eq and compression on the insert and adjust as needed. If de-essing is needed I experiment with the placement among the inserts for best results. Track volume automation follows the insert. Reverbs/delays usually go on effects buses (FX channels to you), via a post-fader send. In the rare case I put a delay or reverb on an insert it goes after eq/comp. I've never used auto-tune and I don't plan on dealing with people who can't sing.

To make your track sit in the mix the best tools will be eq, compression and automation. But give yourself a better chance by picking the right mic, giving the singer a good monitor mix and encouraging good mic technique.

 

[moresound]

Now there is a trick and a half! Ethan

 

[Ethan Winer]

Somehow I wrote "bits" instead of "bus" in my post above. Fixed now. Hope nobody was confused as to meaning.

 

[mixsit]

Somehow I wrote "bits" instead of "bus" in my post above. Fixed now. Hope nobody was confused as to meaning.

I was for a bit ..bus I got it now.