vocal mixing problem ...

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BHead

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I've read lots of threads on mixing vocals ... and I've heard that mixing vocals can be a pain in the butt ... and it really is!

Oh! My butt hurts! :(

Here I am messing around with (OK ... with certain guidelines) reverb, compression, EQ, ... things like that with my vocal track. I want an "in front of you" feeling, and I get it for the quieter, softer parts. :) Then it comes to the chorus, where it is the climax of the song, a louder part. Then all the sudden the vocal is not as "in front of you" as the lower parts ... and the difference is quite obvious.

Has it ever happened to you?

Can anyone here give a helping hand? If you need more info on the mixing elements of the song, I sure will provide it. If you need to listen to the song in order to offer help, I'm fine with it too. (as long as you don't mind listening to a Chinese song ;) )

Thanks in advance! :)
 
increase the volume of the vocal track during the louder parts?
 
are you saying ...

that using compression actually pushes the vocal back during the louder part?

One possible way of fixing it I think would be doubling the louder part with a dry vocal track. Would it work? I sure will try it.

OK! I am really confused now ... :(
 
Try doubling, or even tripling it, and spread them out a bit. Also play with adding a VERY SMALL amount of delay to the double or triple tracks.

Queue
 
you might want to try using the compressor on the vocals sparingly. A compressor does tend to remove the clarity and dull the tracks. You might consider riding the faders oro using automation(if you have it). Mabe just compress your final mix. Also, some creative EQ will help put your vocals out front too.
 
If you want the vocal up front, use a good mic and preamp and preferable a compressor going in to get a good signal....a well tracked vocal wont need much EQ...instead, EQ the tracks that are getting in the way of the vocal...just sit and listen and ask yourself "why cant I hear the vocal" and "whats stepping on the vocal"...when you can answer the questions, youll know what to do....

and MrLip gave the most obvious advice....

either the volume of the other tracks or the space that the additional tracks of the chorus(?) takes up is covering the vocal..if bringing up the volume of the vocal during the chorus doesnt solve it, refer to the above advice....
 
One thing that you might try if you have an empty track is to copy your vocal track onto it so that you now have two vocal tracks. Run one track dry at a lower volume than the other track. Now compress and Eq the other vocal track (kind of a salt and pepper to taste recipe.) Also, when doing this pan one track slightly to left and the other slightly to the right.

I've used this technique with lead vocals which were not as forward in the mix as I wanted and in some cases it worked. One thing when listening to the mix, also switch between mono and stereo to make sure that you are getting what you want.
 
i've got an even better idea

if you are using a compressor and it seems as though the louder part is more in your face than the softer part then you need to check to see how much gain reduction you are getting from the compressor during the chorus and add that much gain to the output to makeup for the compression.

if that doesn't work then examine your mix. if the vocal is overwhelmed by the additional instrumentation in the chorus it will essentially fall back in the mix.
 
Good call, Cross, check that gain reduction, 8/1 could be killing it. Also, even better, track the softer parts as close to red as you can, then go back and do the louder parts on separate tracks, with the gain adjusted appropriatly. If you feel confident enough to ride the gain effectively, then do so, Its kinda fun. In general, try not to reduce more than 2-3db on the loudest parts, and track the soft and loud parts seperatly with gain staging optimized for each individual track.
 
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