Vocal mixing?!

[JasperJHeins]

So i have a pretty good idea on mixing vocals but i just would love some tips from the Pros! Anyways Im recording clean vocals for metalcore through a Sontronics Sigma, To My Presonus Firestudio Project and into Logic Pro! I would love to know if there are any tips for making them sound amazing and clean like the clean vocals on Woe Is Me's, Vengeance. i know i won't get anything nearly as good as that from my equipment but are there any plug-ins that are good to use? Mixing techniques? etc..

 

[sixer2007]

Sounds like rise records, that's for sure. Just my opinion, but a carbon copy of everything they've been doing lately. Anyway, that's beside the point of your questions.
Idk how much you know already, but there's nothing special happening vocal wise. The screaming has some typical high/low scream doubling in parts that's super common in metalcore. The singing is probably autotuned a bit.

Idk man, your question is pretty hard to answer

 

[apoczen211]

Aside from using great quality gear, vocals are pretty much always in need of EQ, compression, and a gate. This may be a pretty boring answer, but without knowing how to use the said 3, there really is no magical plugin that will fix the recording or its clarity. Look up EQ parameters for a vocal and the same for compression and work off of the numbers they provide. A gate is important to remove the recorded sounds between the vox. Some other plugins people generally use for vox are de-esser, and reverbs, and some people like to use maximizers. There are so many options for vocals. The basic needs to vocal is EQ, compressor, and a gate. The rest is up to you. Reverbs or even a slap delay are great for smoothing out the vocal or giving a spacial perspective.

 

[Pahtcub]

I never gate my vocal tracks, oa studio record there shouldn't be any noise between recording but that may be dependant on people's set ups. Also a de esser is almost always a must with a condenser at least a little. You probably want to add air to your vocals but doing so with only eq will bring up horrible sibbilance.

 

[sixer2007]

I never gate my vocal tracks

Yeah, gating can get really difficult... It often makes things sound unnatural because it might cut the ends of words, breathes, and whatnot. If bleed or noise is an issue, manual automation is the best way I've found.

 

[JasperJHeins]

Yeah, gating can get really difficult... It often makes things sound unnatural because it might cut the ends of words, breathes, and whatnot. If bleed or noise is an issue, manual automation is the best way I've found.

Agreed, and im using a ribbon mic that sounds great, i have a tube-micpre that i love using as well, but i normally do use EQ, Compression, Reverb, and a de esser. I havent used a maximizer before. but are there any EQ, Comp, or Reverb Plug-ins that i could find online or as a torrent that are better than the factory that comes with Logic pro cause thats all i use for my mixing! *been tight on the budget lately*

 

[sixer2007]

First, don't mention torrent! you'll get eaten alive in here. Please don't steal software, there are tons of great free resources.

I don't use logic and never have, but I bet if you learn how/when/why to use EQs, comps, reverbs, etc etc, those stock plugins will get you way further than you think. Trust me, when I started, I downloaded every free plug that was mentioned to try to get better results and my mixes were still terrible. They've improved now, but everyone is always learning more..

If you want to give some freebies a shot, I can recommend this page: Free VST Plugins! - Bedroom Producers Blog
and KVR: Virtual Instruments, Virtual Effects, VST Plugins, Audio Units (AU), AAX & RTAS Audio Plugin News, Reviews and Community - plus iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android Audio App News Too
That's a good couple years of digging at least!
Happy Mixing!

 

[RAMI]

What kind of room are you recording in? That's probably as, if not more important than any plug-in.

 

[JasperJHeins]

What kind of room are you recording in? That's probably as, if not more important than any plug-in.

A Four wall room, with a slanted ceiling and it has 1 bass trap, with two high end bass traps, along with sound absorbing blankets. it's all sound proofed, so it's a dead room.

 

[Pahtcub]

it's all sound proofed, so it's a dead room

if you're asking where to steal plug ins I doubt this statement very much.

CLA compressors bundle is on sale for $199 through end of the month. That's $150 off retail!

 

[Pahtcub]

Why are you using a ribbon mic for metal vocals? Seems a little counter intuitive.

 

[apoczen211]

I think some researching of the fundamentals of mics is a good idea first. As for my original post that stated a gate is used on vocals, I've always worked with engineers that have used them and have been taught this method in my audio school years ago. I can see how this can present an issue, as well as a de-esser or maximizer, especially if someone doesnt know how to use it. Knowing what your working with currently all across the board will help to explain what to do to assist in getting what you want in the end. Dynamic mics are good for rock, metal, and more dynamic based singing (regarding screaming or whatever), whereas a ribbon mic is a lot more fragile and used for more generes like r&b, rap, gospel. Its really the sound you get in the end. Know why your using the mic before using it, and if its all you have, get more. Singers have used Shure sm57's for vocals as well, they are cheap and may be closer to what you need.