What are steps of mixing vocal tracks?

  • Thread starter Thread starter semsem612
  • Start date Start date
It depends on the song and the vocal.

You ask for a lot of "steps/numbers" in your posts for everything.
You need to realize that recording/mixing is not about following some steps or using specific numbers.
You can't just learn one process and then apply it like a cookie cutter to everything.
 
Step 1 Turn all the vocals down to -infinity
Step 2 Bring up the lead vocal(s) to desired volume
Step 3 Bring up backing vocals to desired volume
Step 4 Apply panning, EQ, FX if needed.
 
Mixing vocals can be one of the biggest things about getting the Mix sounding good or great.
A typical FX chain for vocals would be compressor, EQ, de-esser reverb.

G
 
mixsit said:
How about tell what you're doing now or where you think you might be going off? That would give some points to start from.
Click to expand...

But that would require previous research and reading....
 
Red Mastering said:
got better idea -
record it properly -
done:)
Click to expand...
Even when a vocal is recorded amazingly, most of the time applying effects will make it sound better. It is pretty hard to not get any unwanted lows in a vocal recording.

G
 
ecktronic said:
Even when a vocal is recorded amazingly, most of the time applying effects will make it sound better. It is pretty hard to not get any unwanted lows in a vocal recording.

G
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Depends on the mic, room, and vocalist, imo. Some mics will also have rolloff switchs to help clear out some of those unwanted lows. Also it depends on your genre. We live in an "effect happy" recording world now. But it doesn't necassarily mean better.
 
I beg to disagree with this statement,
most mics have HPfilter,
and if not - most preamps have,
also when singer/artist know what proximity effect is and how to avoid it - then no troubles
less is more,
I ended last week project when all I did was fader/volume set up,
panning, bit of EQ here and there and delicate analog compression, to glue it all together -
sounds fantastic and client is very happy
good recordings don't need applying effects,
some best hiend recordings were done with 2 mics tracked by 2 track tape, and then vinyl pressed -
that's it
there's a nice vid on youtube with many great engineers and audio collectors,
when they talk about it for few hours - great watch
ecktronic said:
Even when a vocal is recorded amazingly, most of the time applying effects will make it sound better. It is pretty hard to not get any unwanted lows in a vocal recording.

G
Click to expand...
 
Red Mastering said:
I beg to disagree with this statement,
most mics have HPfilter,

I ended last week project when all I did was fader/volume set up,
panning, bit of EQ here and there and delicate analog compression, to glue it all together -
sounds fantastic and client is very happy
good recordings don't need applying effects,
Click to expand...
"Good recordings do not need effects". I would say PERFECT recordings do not need effects. (unless wanted as part of the sound.)

G
 
mixing

I start with dry vocals through a good mic. I use a AT2020USB condenser mic. Then I compress the heck out of the vocals. This really helps the vocal sit back in the mix. After compression I EQ the lows out. Anything below 300-350hz should be reduced. This also helps the vocal sound like its sitting back in the mix and not so up front. After that a little reverb.
 
kenholz said:
I start with dry vocals through a good mic. I use a AT2020USB condenser mic. Then I compress the heck out of the vocals. This really helps the vocal sit back in the mix. After compression I EQ the lows out. Anything below 300-350hz should be reduced. This also helps the vocal sound like its sitting back in the mix and not so up front. After that a little reverb.
Click to expand...
With all due respect that reads rather a bit cookie cutter- and heavy handed.
I'll submit..
Sometimes they don't need a lot of squashing

I would always at least consider the low end trims before they hit the comp.

300-350? For any kind of default/rule of thumb', that's pretty high.
Maybe.. the track can be recorded (was recorded) with mic placement for one to where it's already close to the right shape.

..I noticed after at2020usb- might not have low cut options.
 
Last edited:
semsem612 said:
What are steps of mixing vocal tracks?
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The 1st step is to record a good quality vocal track that sounds good without any EQ or effects or compression. Then later you can fine tune with subtle EQ, and a touch of suitable effect if required and compress if necessary. Also remember there are no rules, you do what works.

How can you recommend EQ, and effects and compression without hearing the vocal track, the vocal within the mix and knowing the style the song? The question is nonsense.

Alan.
 
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