Vocal Mixing

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lilman42459

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What is the first thing you do to the vocals when you start the mix down?

I mix my vocals together as a whole and the mix the music in.
 
I never mix seperate vocal parts together until the very final mix, b/c even if they sound okay originally, there will almost always be a screwed up harmony somewhere that I don't hear until later.

In order, I:

(1) mix the lead vocal down;
(2) compress it;
(3) run it through an EQ preset I made to De-Ess it;
(4) put the "fixed" track back in the multitrack;

(5) do the same thing with each of the backup parts and bring them back into the multi-track;

(6) mute all the music in the multitrack and listen to the vocal parts together (a capella) to check for pitch agreement;

(7) fix the parts that suck
 
I just bring up all the faders and start pulling down whatever is too loud or distracting.
 
Where did you mix it ? PC ? or outboard gear (ADAT, Mixer, rack units, etc...) ? I do it most with PC, here's my two cents... start by visualizing (audiolizing?) in your mind the vocal sound you are trying to get. I have no idea what that is, or what type of music performance you are trying to capture.

but shooting in the dark, I would start with maybe some compression, try Plug ins from Waves, they have a nice dynamics package with very useful presets. some dynamics or compression processing will help smooth out the vocal to a more even professional sound.

consider doubling-up your tracks, and panning to the outside of your L,R channels. it's best if you record 2 passes, but if you're lazy copy one and offset it a bit to get a doubling effect.

I have yet to find a good sounding software reverb plugin that isn't hideously expensive, or has some obtuse engineer interface. But if you work the Cakewalk FX reverb plugins (v2 is better) you might be able to get something acceptable, if it's a subtle effect.

But if you want that professional rich deep reverb effect like Tony Bennett I'm not sure you'll find it at this pricepoint. Maybe consider an outboard rack unit ala Lexicon. ;)

But remember, the number one mistake made by beginning recordists is adding too much reverb. Here are some general tips that may help you:

1. Use less reverb.
2. Lengthen the pre-delay on your reverb. Often the reverb will walk all over the dry signal and wash it out. By putting a lengthening the pre-delay (the time that elapses between the original sound when the reverb starts) you allow the dry signal to sneak through and sound more present before the reverb starts. If you reverb doesn't have a pre-delay control, you should try and get one that does. TC Natives are cool to try. There are also some free ones out there.
3. Use a 'spreader'. You can do this with digital delay, but I prefer to do it this way: Record one main vocal track. Then record another track singing the exact same thing. Now take that second track and drag copy it onto a third track. Slide the third track forward 5 ticks. Slide the second track backward 5 or so ticks. Now pan those two tracks hard L and R and turn their volumes down so that they are just perceptable in the mix. Now you have a main vocal track down the center and a very subtle chorusing effect that really spreads the vocal out. I often EQ the spreader tracks with a little extra highs and less mids than the main track, and add chorus to them.
:cool: :cool: :cool:
 
Here's my technique:

Mix the whole deal until you think it sounds good (a la Tex).

Then do the Chris Harris trick of soloing the vocal parts and fixing (or just muting) what sucks.

Keep in mind that sometimes a harmony that is slightly out of tune sounds GREAT when mixed in low. It adds depth and width to the sound and doesn't sound out of tune as long as it is low enough.

reference the overall mix frequently to avoid microing the solo'd vocal mix too much, but you the acappella technique to make sure your vocals sound like what you think they do.

As for some concrete what-goes-where:

My favorite vocal mix has something like 12 vocal tracks.

1 & 2) Doubled lead vocals, both panned center.
3 & 4) Primary harmony, doubled, panned about 11 and 1 o'clock.
5 & 6) Secondary harmony, doubled, panned around 10 and 2.
7 & 8) Octave of Secondary, doubled panned around somewhere a little wider.
9 & 10) Variations of Primary hamonies, panned around somewhere.
11 & 12) The slightly out of tune takes that end up low in the mix and panned to bring balance to the acappella mix.

You can really build power into a song by adding layers of harmonies or doubling. That same song drops to 1 lead during most of the first verse. Adds primary harmonies for the end of the verse. Adds secondaries and some variations during the b-section, then kicks in the whole choir for the chorus.

I think that tune is still up on one of my websites if you want to hear it. Its called "Mute"... yup. Try here:

http://www.nowhereradio.com/artists/album.php?aid=1247&alid=-1

Have fun mixing!
Chris
 
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