What to do for vocals?

[Myriad_Rocker]

I'm a vocal recording n00b! I tracked them and they sound clear but they just sound like they were recorded seperately from everything else...in other words, they don't sit well in the mix.

So...how would I go about curing this? Also, ANY other vocal recording and mixing suggestions would be MUCH MUCH appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Sloan]

I'm a vocal recording n00b! I tracked them and they sound clear but they just sound like they were recorded seperately from everything else...in other words, they don't sit well in the mix.

So...how would I go about curing this? Also, ANY other vocal recording and mixing suggestions would be MUCH MUCH appreciated!

Thanks!

A lot of times reverb is added to help it sound a little better.
But try not to go too overboard with it.

Compression is commonly added to help keep the vocal track one consistant level.

Also, try panning the instruments a little to the right or left while keeping the vocals in the center. Sometimes that will help clear up some space for the singer...

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Well, it's not that the vocals get lost in the mix...they just don't sit well...it seems quite apparent that they were recorded seperately.

Also, I added some compression, a limiter, gate, and I'm using the Antares Microphone Modeler. It's sounding A LOT better but something still just isn't quite right. I tried adding some reverb but it seemed to be too much and I didn't really care for it.

So...what else? Some chorus maybe? Some delay? Double the track?

 

[Simman]

Well, it's not that the vocals get lost in the mix...they just don't sit well...it seems quite apparent that they were recorded seperately.

Also, I added some compression, a limiter, gate, and I'm using the Antares Microphone Modeler. It's sounding A LOT better but something still just isn't quite right. I tried adding some reverb but it seemed to be too much and I didn't really care for it.

So...what else? Some chorus maybe? Some delay? Double the track?

You may want to post a clip on the MP3 thread and request some constructive feedback.

 

[Rokket]

Well, it's not that the vocals get lost in the mix...they just don't sit well...it seems quite apparent that they were recorded seperately.

Also, I added some compression, a limiter, gate, and I'm using the Antares Microphone Modeler. It's sounding A LOT better but something still just isn't quite right. I tried adding some reverb but it seemed to be too much and I didn't really care for it.

So...what else? Some chorus maybe? Some delay? Double the track?

Double the track by singing it twice, then play with the levels of EVERYTHING without effects on. Once you get it panned and the levels sounding good without effects, add them a bit at a time. Sometimes if the levels are not right before you add effects, no amount of effects will fix it. And doubling it will help it sit better in the mix.
Oh, and post an mp3 so the real pros can give you advice.

 

[phil doucette]

with my limited experience, I might suggest a cupla things:

make a "hole" in the mix for the vocals by trimming a certain frequency out of the other tracks (start around the high mids) and by boosting that frequency in the vocal mix (or start by just trimming the other tracks and see what happens).

Doubling the track can cause more problems than it solves, and I've always had a personal distate for it (unless you're working digital and can just duplicate the track)

but start with the EQing trick and see how that works.

best of luck!

phil

 

[fretwire3d]

a boost in mids might help to fit with guitars and things.

 

[Rokket]

a boost in mids might help to fit with guitars and things.

Good point. I missed that one. I was always told the mid ranges are where the guitars operate at. But aren't vocals in that range too? I am a total newbie when it comes to discussing freq ranges. I just use my ears. As far as doubling the vocal, I was always told (by many with far more experience than me on this board), to double, double, double. And not just dupicate the track in a DAW. Personally, I've tried it both ways. Both work for certain songs, but no method works for all. Again, this is just my personal experience. All he can do is try it, and if it sounds worse, lose it. You may want to look at how you have your settings on your instruments too, while we are talking about frequencies. Maybe the vocal isn't sitting right because the other instruments weren't recorded correctly. Boost the mids on your guitars, eq the bass and drums a bit. Maybe that will fix the vocal?
Just my 2 cents.

 

[fretwire3d]

Most people have a mid boost on guitar. Crystal clear vocals pick up these annoying bassy sounds and too much presence. I boost the mids for the vocals to blend and to get a more rock sound as opposed to a national public radio sound.

 

[Rokket]

Most people have a mid boost on guitar. Crystal clear vocals pick up these annoying bassy sounds and too much presence. I boost the mids for the vocals to blend and to get a more rock sound as opposed to a national public radio sound.

Thanks. I'm going to give that a try.

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to play with the idea of doubling but as far as having the vocalist sing exactly what has already been done...I think that's out of the question. The performance will just not be the same. I think I will duplicate it in my DAW twice...put one 24ms in front and the other 24ms behind. That should simulate doubling quite well.

I'll also play with the frequencies but I'm liking how my guitars are sounding actually. I have a lot of mids in my guitar sound. And there's currently no bass track on the song...maybe that's it.

 

[HangDawg]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to play with the idea of doubling but as far as having the vocalist sing exactly what has already been done...I think that's out of the question. The performance will just not be the same. I think I will duplicate it in my DAW twice...put one 24ms in front and the other 24ms behind. That should simulate doubling quite well.

I'll also play with the frequencies but I'm liking how my guitars are sounding actually. I have a lot of mids in my guitar sound. And there's currently no bass track on the song...maybe that's it.

The point is for the doubled track to not be "Identical" It's the same thing when doubling guitars. If you are going to just copy the track, just use a stereo delay and be done with it.

 

[grn]

or you could EQ it

 

[phil doucette]

to boost or not to boost

the dead end that I always run into with boosting mids is that creates the need to boost something else... until evry dang thing is boosted. same thing with overall track levels. I've had a lot more success trimming first and adding back in. Space in a mix is your friend! check out this site, it might give you some good general tips:

www.silver-dragon-records.com/recording_audio_Eq_mastering.htm

hope this helps!

 

[Myriad_Rocker]

The point is for the doubled track to not be "Identical" It's the same thing when doubling guitars. If you are going to just copy the track, just use a stereo delay and be done with it.

But how do you sing everything with the right phrase length and stuff? What I mean is, what if the singer pronounces something different or something like that? And what if he's not on key with his other vocal?

It could totally ruin the recording....I know I know...just delete it....but why go to the trouble? I'm not very experienced when recording vocals...

 

[Rokket]

But how do you sing everything with the right phrase length and stuff? What I mean is, what if the singer pronounces something different or something like that? And what if he's not on key with his other vocal?

It could totally ruin the recording....I know I know...just delete it....but why go to the trouble? I'm not very experienced when recording vocals...

Have the singer come in fresh, well rested and hydrated. Then rehearse the track a few times until they can match it close enough, then record it.

 

[HangDawg]

But how do you sing everything with the right phrase length and stuff? What I mean is, what if the singer pronounces something different or something like that? And what if he's not on key with his other vocal?

It's called practice. It's the same way that I can play the same guitar rhythm 2 and 3 times almost exactly the same. I even double leads occasionally. And if the guy can't sing on key, well then you have other problems to worry about don't you?

 

[Doc Strange]

have you tried recording vocals in mono, instead of stereo, this usually when placed in a stereo enviorment will put the vocals comfortably in the center of the mix. good luck

 

[glynb]

But how do you sing everything with the right phrase length and stuff? What I mean is, what if the singer pronounces something different or something like that? And what if he's not on key with his other vocal?

It could totally ruin the recording....I know I know...just delete it....but why go to the trouble? I'm not very experienced when recording vocals...

Well you should notice it at tracking time whilst the singer is still present right? You listen back to what the singer has just recorded and if its not right you do it again, and agian and again, until he /she gets it right on the nose!

My son did this technique recently with some 16 year old friends who were totaly inexperienced, so I;'m damned sure an experienced older singer should be able to nail this!

 

[HangDawg]

Well you should notice it at tracking time whilst the singer is still present right? You listen back to what the singer has just recorded and if its not right you do it again, and agian and again, until he /she gets it right on the nose!

Hey, c'mon man. That sounds an aweful lot like work. Surely there is a magic black box that can put some hottness into those vocal tracks.