rap vox fx

[tc4b]

I have been recording a lot more rap lately, and I don't like the vocals. They seem kind of flat or small to me, no shimmer (crappy description, sorry). I get OK results on singing vocals, but the rap just isn't cutting it and I wondered what you put in your fx chain. I understand everyone does it differently, and I don't plan on just copying whatever you use, just need somewhere to start from. I recognize that I need to mess with my own setup a lot before I get where I'm going.

So far, I'm using a little compression and a little eq, sometimes an upper-mid bump and sometimes scooped. I haven't found a reverb that sounds any good at all yet. I've tried a few other 'analog' or 'enhancer' type plugs, but nothing really worked. One thing that helps a little is to double the vocal, just record it twice, something I noticed on some rap CD's I like.

Just asking: what works for you?

Thanks

 

[Mindset]

I have been recording a lot more rap lately, and I don't like the vocals. They seem kind of flat or small to me, no shimmer (crappy description, sorry). I get OK results on singing vocals, but the rap just isn't cutting it and I wondered what you put in your fx chain. I understand everyone does it differently, and I don't plan on just copying whatever you use, just need somewhere to start from. I recognize that I need to mess with my own setup a lot before I get where I'm going.

So far, I'm using a little compression and a little eq, sometimes an upper-mid bump and sometimes scooped. I haven't found a reverb that sounds any good at all yet. I've tried a few other 'analog' or 'enhancer' type plugs, but nothing really worked. One thing that helps a little is to double the vocal, just record it twice, something I noticed on some rap CD's I like.

Just asking: what works for you?

Thanks

In hip hop I tend to compress a whole lot more on the vocals and then overall. On the instruments I use any old method, nothing different with hip hop. I wouldn't use an enhancer. We usually double up on the vocals, but I keep one way low usually, just enough to tell it's there. Anyways, keep the vocal dead up center right in front of you. I don't use reverb much. Maybe in the chorus. Eq to taste, dont' keep it muffled, don't thin it out. On software I use the LA2A comp, SSL Comp, and Izotopes' parametric EQ. On hardware, if I had a LA2A... lol, I send to a dBX compressor, a fatman compressor, and my neve 5033 parametric eq. On EQ, depending on persons, I might boost 1-2khz, dip it somewhat sharp q at 400hz-600hz, and boost 3dB smoothly around 240hz and drop off 60 & below. Compressors, nothing too special, 4.1 ratio, quick attack/release, threshold may be higher than normal, and more boost. May even limit it sometimes. hip hop, everythings always in your face