Vocal chain.

[fuzzsniffvoyage]

I've been attempting to record my own vocals on some songs I've written. My own voice sounds horrendous. I've read that the more you hear and record yourself you'll become accustomed to the sound. True?

Also, the recording chain, aside from mike selection and pre-amp, (I'm kind of stuck on those, got what I got) what plug-ins do some of you use? Compressors, multiple compressors, reverb, delay, EQ, pitch correction. Maybe some general/generic settings or guide lines would be helpful.

Do you record a take on multiple tracks for manipulation?

Thanks.

 

[Tadpui]

I'm the same way, I'm not a fan of my own voice. But I have become used to hearing it over the years.

Lately I've been a little more brave with my vocals. I've been recording through a hardware compressor on the way into the interface (ART Pro VLA in the insert loop of an FMR RNP, then into a line input on my interface). I have software compressors that are as good or better, but there's something that I really like about how this ART sounds. I'm a little aggressive about the compression as well, going for about -6 dB of gain reduction with somewhere around a 6:1 ratio. That sounds aggressive for vocals on paper, but I really don't think that it sounds that way in the end. I have yet to be displeased with how they sound, but I definitely see the benefit to tracking bone dry and using only software compressors for the benefit of being able to change your mind about the settings later.

In software, I add some large plate reverb (or whatever the song calls for) via a send, blend in just enough to set the vocals in the mix. If I'm feeling futzy, I'll use Melodyne to sweeten up any pitchy parts or just keep retracking to get it right. I usually put a hi-pass filter somewhere in the low frequencies (maybe 100Hz?) to keep out any unwanted rumble, and scoop out a few dB of low-mid frequency (somewhere between 150-250 Hz) because my voice gets a little boomy sometimes. Somehow I can sound both nasaly and boomy at the same time...that's just the sinus cavity that I'm "blessed" with. Sometimes a little bump around 5kHz can help brighten a dull sounding vocal take, if there's not a ton of competition at that frequency in the mix.

Although I haven't done it lately, I do tend to record multiple takes and comp together a single take from them. For me it's handy when I'm writing/recording on the fly and I'm not super familiar with the song yet. But for more familiar material I tend to just power through it in one take.

Anyways, these are just things that I do. And mostly I don't know what I'm doing so take it for what it's worth

 

[ido1957]

I've been attempting to record my own vocals on some songs I've written. My own voice sounds horrendous. I've read that the more you hear and record yourself you'll become accustomed to the sound. True?

I can never sing cover songs to my satisfaction. I always sound like me singing a cover song. I got used to it years ago but it's still a drag.
I don't gig right now so it's not an issue.
On my originals I never even give my voice a thought as I'm not comparing it to "the original". I don't have a great voice but I'm happy with it for my songs.
I just try to get the melody and pitch right.

Also, the recording chain, aside from mike selection and pre-amp, (I'm kind of stuck on those, got what I got) what plug-ins do some of you use? Compressors, multiple compressors, reverb, delay, EQ, pitch correction. Maybe some general/generic settings or guide lines would be helpful.

Compressors - I track with a tiny bit on my UA LA610. I use a CA2A in Sonar. Usually I try to get a 3-5 db reduction on that. Sometimes I slam it if I'm too lazy to automate.
Reverb - Used to use Concert Hall but moved to Plate lately after hearing my ME do it. I use Lexicon PCM bundle and use the first preset at about 20% MIX as I like to leave my send fader at unity. Send from the channel is maybe 50%. Just experimenting with a subtle chorus now - too soon to say how that will go.
Delay - rarely as the reverb has a bit of delay. I have done a single repeat with a delay on a word for effect in the past.
EQ - rarely use it
Pitch Correction - VVocal is a dream come true for lazy singers. Sure I use it when I need to fix a note. I tend to go high sometimes when I belt so it works well to correct that. Only works in subtle situations unless you want that TPain effect which I don't. Settings depend on the length of the phrase, number of notes tied together etc. usually I'll pull something up or down an eighth? o a semi tone. Now the "waver fixer" is much more useful to me.

Do you record a take on multiple tracks for manipulation?

Only lately as I'm getting old and lazy.... I can't necessarily hear the "perfect take" so rather than record over the same track over and over and hope it was right, I record 4 and comp them. I usually use the second or third track as the base (warmed up) and paste in from the others as needed.

On the CD's in my sig every vocal take was a one off and I think on 30 songs I fixed three pitchy words. That was 6 or 7 years ago though....lol

 

[fuzzsniffvoyage]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm sure it'll help.

So yesterday I got a Shure SM7B & Cloud Lift (CL-1), I'm really itching to try 'em out. I'll be going thru my ART MPA Gold and Pro VLA 2 for starters, and Sonar X3 Producer (Haven't decided weather or not I'll up grade yet, whole other issues.) And then I'll try some of your guys suggestions and just play around with different settings until I can find something satisfying.

And I promised myself not to spend any more money (on studio gear) until Sweetwater's Gearfest in June.

 

[ido1957]

Just to see what my vocal chain sounds like check out my latest "Nothing's Going On Down Here" in the clinic.
M-Audio Sputnik => UA LA610 => Lexicon U42S => Sonar => CA2A (Default setting) => Lexicon Medium Plate 4
Background vocals are minus the CA2A in Sonar as they are automated at different levels for each part of the song (louder in chorus for example)
I have 7 vocal tracks mixed into the track so I can manipulate each independently. Handy as I had to do some wild swings to adjust for the loudness of the notes at different times.
The CA2A is running really hard on the track to give it more up front presence as the vocal track was pretty meh by itself. I love the Sputnik because it really has nice tubey sound when hit it hard.
Master Bus = CA2A + Concrete Limiter.