vocal compressor question

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metalj

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This is an actual recording question.

OK, when im recording vocals should i completely rely on the compressor to smooth out powerful vocal parts or should i ask the singer to physically pull back from the mic in distance to help smooth it ???

I have a vocal part recorded and if i add too much compression then it kinda takes away from the dynamics of the track a little too much and without the compression the best i can do is ride the faders a little.

just wondering what most people do?


here is a sample of what im talking about. At the 1:12 mark he hits a powerful vocal which still has the dynamic and the compressor smooths it out enough not to distort. Then if you go to the 3:51 mark, the vocalist is right on the edge of distortion. same compression settings.

http://metaljohnson.com/Man in a Box-MarkVoc.wma

should i have the singer re-do the track and pull back ?? Or is the singer distorting the mic by being too close to it ??

thanks
if it matters the microphone is a shure ksm27.
 
personally, i like how it seems so strained during the loud portions you mention....I hear no distortion. It has quality like he is really just cutting loose....but not clipping. If you wish to minimize this some, have him re-do, and lean back, or turn his head some.

But I dig it as is....
 
Staley is hard to do, but this isn't bad, harmonies and all. I think most often people use the compressor as a limiter when tracking (or ride the faders or have a vocalist with excellent mic technique). This is still a rough mix right? It sounds like you can just mix the levels just fine and use some compression throughout. Just match your levels from chorus to chorus.
 
I always ask the vocalist to really give me the "hot parts" while setting levels.

Set those mega-hot parts at around -12dBFS or so.

That should keep the bulk of the rest of the signal around 0dBVU (around -20 to -18dBFS) or a little below - which is right where it's supposed to be.
 
Massive Master said:
I always ask the vocalist to really give me the "hot parts" while setting levels.

Set those mega-hot parts at around -12dBFS or so.

That should keep the bulk of the rest of the signal around 0dBVU (around -20 to -18dBFS) or a little below - which is right where it's supposed to be.
Click to expand...

Hey.... thats a great idea, i never thought of that.

I will put that into my routine immediately.

thanks
 
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