Recording Vocals

magritte · Post by **magritte** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:08 am

Does anyone know how to get a vocal sound similar to the velvet underground? I realize being Lou Reed helps, but I'm talking about that smooth, up-front yet not overwhelming the mix sound... Thanks.

mjau · Post by **mjau** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:13 am

I think vocals, probably moreso than any other instrument, are so variable and dependent on the singer, song, and any number of other factors.
That said, as a rought outline I'd say no reverb or delay, and befriend the hi-pass knob.

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:14 am

Yea keep 'em dry.

magritte · Post by **magritte** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:43 am

thanks. what type of compression setting do you use?

mjau · Post by **mjau** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 12:10 pm

Totally depends, amigo - even if you need/want any. I'd say just mess around with the knobs until it sounds right in the context of the song.

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:00 pm

When I recorded Lou Reed he said, "joel, I got this thing on my face..... it seems to put out a lot of 3k...." [gesturing to his nose].

Then he ruled it.

Manley reference cardioid [his favorite mic for his voice] into a germanium, no compression.

He knows that mic well, and works it well. He knows how because he has done it a bunch, tried a zillion mics, and is smart and likes the art of recording (and will talk about it).

Try a bunch of things, figure out what works for you and how you work it, and you can get some classic results. Whether "it" is a compressor, a mic, a mic pre, a certain key, a room, an effect.... whatever "IT" is, find the "it" that helps you achieve your goals, and learn how to use it really well.

magritte · Post by **magritte** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:10 pm

thanks, joel.

i recorded 3 songs today and made them into wav files. if i posted them here, would anyone be interested in giving tips to improve the vocal and/or general constructive criticism?

magritte · Post by **magritte** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:00 am

here's one in the lossless flac format. any suggestions would be great. i haven't recorded in a few years and i'm out of the loop.

http://fs04n2.sendspace.com/dl/44212e7f ... track.flac

stevebozz · Post by **stevebozz** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:04 am

if you guys aren't using much reverb and delay on the vocals, how do you get a good room sound? record in a good room?

mjau · Post by **mjau** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:22 am

Damn Joel, you just had to place that awesome post right after mine.

Wince99 · Post by **Wince99** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:09 pm

magritte wrote:here's one in the lossless flac format. any suggestions would be great. i haven't recorded in a few years and i'm out of the loop.

i would remove some of the mids in the guitar to make room for the voice

i would use some pitch correction on vocals

if you can have the feedback separately, i would pan it left to rigth with a fade in/out.

my 2cents

magritte · Post by **magritte** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:28 pm

thanks. how does pitch correction work? are those devices cheap and easy to use?

magritte · Post by **magritte** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:40 pm

oh by the way, i am using audacity. is there a similar/free program that has a decent pitch corrector? i can't dump tracks in individually since my soundcard only has one input. does it correct the entire mix?

Wogimlodger · Post by **Wogimlodger** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:17 am

Yeah, if everything is on one track, it will all be affected by the pitch correction. Obviously, that will not work.

wedge · Post by **wedge** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:42 pm

I just found out about this today... GSnap... Pitch correction... Totally free... http://www.gvst.co.uk/gsnap.htm

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Recording Vocals

Recording Vocals

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