Vocal Tracking Question

[JonPaulP]

It occured to me that I might be doing something wrong. When I'm laying down the vocal tracks, I usually have two tracks that I use for the vocals with. I alternate the vocal clips in between the two tracks to help smooth out the transition between phrases from different takes while retaining the breaths.

But...it could cause some unevenness when I apply the compression plug-in to each track. What do you guys usually do? Is it recommended to just put the vocals on one track to have good, even compression?

Thanks!

 

[ez_willis]

Vocals are my weakest link, so honestly, I usually go damn near line by line until one full pass is made. Then I do the same thing two more times and comp the best of each track into one still sucky vocal part, but less sucky then any one complete track.

personally, I don't worry about breaths, as long as it doesn't clip off the end or beginning of it. I don't mind natural.

 

[Chili]

But...it could cause some unevenness when I apply the compression plug-in to each track.
Thanks!

It's okay to have vocals on multiple tracks and comp them together. To keep them sounding the same, you can Save your track settings on one vocal track then Load it to the others. This way, you'll have the same settings for compression, EQ, reverb, or whatevers.

The trick is to get your performances to match between takes so it sounds seamless when comp'd. Do all your takes in the same session, on the same cup of coffee, tea, beer, dube, what-have-ya!!! Don't expect to get similar takes the next day.

 

[Ronan]

But...it could cause some unevenness when I apply the compression plug-in to each track. What do you guys usually do? Is it recommended to just put the vocals on one track to have good, even compression?

Send the two vocals tracks to one buss and put the compressor on the buss.

 

[dean1964]

Hey Ronan

I'd like to add that any automation on the vocal tracks, before the buss, would affect the input level of the compressor. Not a big deal if the automation moves +-3dB or less, but wide swings in level might necessitate automation of the compressors threshold.

Or you could just automate the buss. =)

 

[mixsit]

Hey Ronan

I'd like to add that any automation on the vocal tracks, before the buss, would affect the input level of the compressor. Not a big deal if the automation moves +-3dB or less, but wide swings in level might necessitate automation of the compressors threshold.

Or you could just automate the buss. =)

Just to back up a step, I'd look at automation back at the clip level (or track if their bussed) to get punches setting right. The compressor can be made to see a lighter load. Mix moves in this case could then be done on the bus fader post compression.

 

[apush]

I triple track the lead vocal all the way thru without stopping and comp one good track from those three. Then I double as close as possible to the comp and push the 2nd lead pretty far back in the mix for fullness. Then add harmonies. lather, rinse and mastur.....er....repeat.

 

[dean1964]

mixsit,

You are exactly right. Personally, I would comp (edit) the vocal takes into a new track.

 

[LeeRosario]

well depending on the music, small variations on the input to the compressor don't matter anyway. Vocals tend to get so heavily compressed and processed anyway, no one can possibly tell if one passage was slightly lower than the other. Unless we're talking about huge differences in dynamics...it's not really needed.

Establish what's your definite center channel material and send your lead vocal right there.

You figure that you can jack up the input on your compressor and ultimately level it off with your ratio and threshhold settings. There comes a point where I'd recommend *good* gating techique to minimize the risk up jack up noise and unwanted pops, clicks, breaths...etc.

However, if you're going all naturale (low processing), then you'll probably need to make the fader rides to get that evened out.


I figure, why use 2 or more compressors on what's ultimately supposed to be one solid track? The easiest and most natural solution is sending your vocal channels to one compressed buss.

 

[JonPaulP]

Thanks a lot for all the input! I have a good idea of what to do now.