RnB Background Vocals

[anthonypayton]

I have been trying to get an answer to this question for the longest time. What are engineers or whom ever using to get the background vocals tight... A lot of the BGV these days sounds like one person but at the same they are big and sound like they are multiplied. I have tried to use stacking and even melodyne..... Not even close. I don't know how to explain it but I know what I am hearing. There has to be a technique or software to this because everyone rnb artist has the same sound.

I am not trying to sound the same, but familiar to the listener. I think this type of back ground vocal has become a staple in rnb today.

My process: I thought that maybe, the chorus or hook was one or two notes. When I write my hooks the vocals are in 4 part harmonies. Which makes it sound gospel ish...

So I tried to write a two part harmony, but I still didn't get the desired sound.

I have talked to three different producers and I still can't get a straight answer. I have researched online and I can't get an answer. Someone come and save me.

 

[whjr15]

You're most likely hearing VocAlign at work. Google it.

 

[anthonypayton]

Thanks

I checked it out and did some research on it. It is really good for vocal overdubs on movie sets... It does other alignment as well. But I don't think it will do what I am needing it to do. I greatly appreciate it though. I learned something from the research.

 

[RAMI]

If it sounds like multiple tracks, it probably is. In other words, either the same BG singer is doubling or tripling their voice, or more than one person is singing the same part. You can't get that with software or delay or anything else.

 

[joeym]

the right performance, 2-4 voices each harmony, panned right and left starting at ca. 65/70 to leave room in the middle for the main vocals. Route to a bus, EQ, maybe a slight chorus on them, reverb and compressor. Depending on CPU power, just bounce on a stereo track and EQ, compress, etc. afterwards on the track itself, instead of routing to a bus.

that's how I do it......

 

[hakim]

What are engineers or whom ever using to get the background vocals tight...

Antares the makers of the infamous Auto-tune also make a product called Harmony Engine. I think this is what you are hearing. Though it takes a bit of technique to get it just right without oversaturation.