Vocal distortion suggestions?

troymess · Post by **troymess** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:42 pm

Hello,

I'm newly registered here at the board, but I've always looked around and read quite a bit here for tips/suggestions.

I decided to break the silence because I'm having a hard time finding a good vocal distortion for a project I'm working on and haven't found any answers yet using the search.

The project is a fast/hardcore band and the vocals need a bit of good distortion.

Specifically, I'm only looking for plug-ins right now. I'm mixing using no outboard gear on this. Just the DAW and the plug-ins. It's a WINDOWS operating system.

So, bring on the plug-in suggestions! Thanks!

zesbez · Post by **zesbez** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:56 pm

Try an amp sim... yea, really. The only other way is driving an analog preamp into the red.

audiosweet · Post by **audiosweet** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:58 pm

ive always enjoyed a good rat distortion on vox

Max · Post by **Max** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:17 pm

You could go to http://www.masseyplugins.com and download the free demo version of the THC distortion. It sounds pretty nasty.
I'm a fan of the Intersound IVP for distorting vocals. I usually run a dynamic through it and set it up next to a LDC mic and blend the two to taste.
It's an instrument pre amp and hard to find these days because Steve Albini uses it for his guitar sound in Shellac.
If you find one for less than 150$, get it. It's cool for distorting drums, too

clintsteele · Post by **clintsteele** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:50 pm

If youre only using a plugin I agree that an amp sim like guitar rig should give you a decent result, blended with the original track.

Ive gotten great vocal distortion sounds using an ibanez tube king distorion pedal inserted on the vox as well.

pfhuck · Post by **pfhuck** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:35 pm

All of the above suggestions are valid.

I guess only you can decide how the distorted the vocals should sound... it's all about context and blend with the rest of the stuff in your mix.

Anyhow:

LIMIT the pfhuck out of (L1 or something else kinda dirty)

Dynamic mic into a guitar amp, or DI'd into a mic amp (Shure Green Bullet is RAD for this!)

Or maybe reamp??

LOTS of freeware distorto plugins out there - check KVR (Guitar Suite VST is VERY cool, and FREE!!)

Laters,
Pfhuck

chris ryan · Post by **chris ryan** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:43 pm

definitely go download the massey plugs, but i would suggest using the tape head plugin for the vocal distortion. only problem is the demo resets every time you open/close a session. you can solve that problem by buying it for really cheap. this is one of my favorite plugsins.

dokushoka · Post by **dokushoka** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:32 am

chris ryan wrote:definitely go download the massey plugs, but i would suggest using the tape head plugin for the vocal distortion. only problem is the demo resets every time you open/close a session. you can solve that problem by buying it for really cheap. this is one of my favorite plugsins.

Yeah I like Tape Head better than THC for distortion stuff as well.

If you're using protools, SMACK! does a decent distortion as well.

Sean Sullivan · Post by **Sean Sullivan** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:26 am

I recorded a vocal track with some walkie talkies and blended with a clean vocal and it sounds pretty good.

Ryan Silva · Post by **Ryan Silva** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:08 pm

PSP Vintage Warmer Does the trick for me.

kdarr · Post by **kdarr** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:43 pm

My personal favorite source of vocal distortion:

Really lousy mics. I have these no-name, $15.00, plastic pieces of shit with MONO 1/8" OUTS (yikes), but they're awesome, man. The diaphragm bottoms out almost immediately when you start singing into it.

Hey, it worked for the Beastie Boys...

[<|>]

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:59 pm

also, a little seems to go a long way for vocal distortion.

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:17 pm

troymess wrote:Hello,

I'm newly registered here at the board, but I've always looked around and read quite a bit here for tips/suggestions.

I decided to break the silence because I'm having a hard time finding a good vocal distortion for a project I'm working on and haven't found any answers yet using the search.

The project is a fast/hardcore band and the vocals need a bit of good distortion.

Specifically, I'm only looking for plug-ins right now. I'm mixing using no outboard gear on this. Just the DAW and the plug-ins. It's a WINDOWS operating system.

So, bring on the plug-in suggestions! Thanks!

I've never found good distortion on a computer..

way to be negative..i know..but I think it needs to be said..

jonathan · Post by **jonathan** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:48 pm

doesnt anyone like the distressor distortion?

LVC_Jeff · Post by **LVC_Jeff** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:21 pm

I was gonna say overdrive the crap out of a tube pre, but a cheap mic would work as well. Also, compress them like crazy and then add some reverb and you'll get a pretty good metal/hardcore vocal sound.

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Vocal distortion suggestions?

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