What magic button do I push to get this vocal sound?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RecordingMaster
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RecordingMaster

RecordingMaster

A Sarcastic Statement
Hi there,

I was just wondering which magic button I need to push in order to get the lead vocal sound on the Beatles' "All You Need is Love"?

:p

But really, I know any specific sound that has been produced is not just easily emulated with some itb plugin. I am aware that a certain sound recording depends on the mics, pres, room, performer, engineer, mixing engineer, recording/processing chain, etc. So with that being noted, I am wondering what YOU think you are hearing on this lead vocal. The Beatles (usually only some later tracks that John Lennon is singing lead on) have a few other tracks with this "sound" on the lead vox, like on "I am The Walrus". Other artists I can think of who have used a similar lead vocal sound on certain recordings are Electric Light Orchestra, David Bowie, and Grand Funk's "We're an American Band".

So with what I have noted above in mind about not being able to just easily emulate something with some "magic" plugin, what do you at least think is the MAIN contributor to that sound? A certain type of room reverb? Just a vocal double (It sounds different from just a vocal double)? A chorus-type effect?

I've tried various things to at least get on the right path of achieving something similar for a song I am mixing, but can't seem to put my finger on it.

What do you think?
 
They didn't have many magic tricks available to them at that time. Vocal doubling was their go to effect. Slap backs and verb obviously. Later the techs at EMI deveoped an Auto Doubler which was tape based doubling effect that modulated the speed of the vocal to be mixed with the dry.
 
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Not just vocal doubling, but their unique voices add to the overall sound as well.
 
Track Rat said:
They didn't have many magic tricks available to them at that time. Vocal doubling was their go to effect. Slap backs and verb obviously. Later the techs at EMI deveoped an Auto Doubler which was tape based doubling effect that modulated the speed of the vocal to be mixed with the dry.
Click to expand...

I was joking about the magic thing, but I hear what you're saying about doubling or slapback, although there's a certain something about the tracks I mentioned. Almost like a harsh, obviously pushed effect almost as if they were singing inside a tin can, you know? Maybe it's some type of chorus or flange effect. Hmmm....
 
Wasn't that a live recording that was broadcast out to the rest of the world? In fact, wasn't that the first world-wide satellite broadcast ever?

Pretty sure it's live.
 
RAMI said:
Wasn't that a live recording that was broadcast out to the rest of the world? In fact, wasn't that the first world-wide satellite broadcast ever?

Pretty sure it's live.
Click to expand...
It was live, but with many overdubs before it'd hit the record.
 
Well after some searching I came across this: Automatic double tracking - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Looks like it's all of the above. Double tracking (either manually or ADT), flange, chorus effects, etc. Just mixed differently in each scenario. I guess that's all it is. Ok, cool. Experimenting is in order. It's like they're yelling into an hvac duct! :)
 
Much of the "live" performance was prerecorded (piano) harpsichord, drums, some backing vocal). Guitars, bass, orchestra, second drum track and more vocals were live. Lennon was unhappy with his vocal performance in the live broadcast, and so re-recorded it for the single and MMT version. Ringo also re did the second drum track, adding the roll over "La Marseillaise," where there had previously been a tambourine.
 
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