Go To Vocal Recording Chain

[Mystic Steamship Co.]

What mic, pre, and compressor do you end up using most often for vocals?

[palinilap]

Most recently it's been MXL v67 > EH 12AY7, and compressing with the PSP VintageWarmer. Also trying to incorporate room mics with the vocal takes when it works for the song.

[joel hamilton]

Some old tube mic, into some old pre, then either a neve 33609 or a dbx 160A compressor.

[evilaudio]

Song dependant, but I guess I could say C414 - 7th Circle N72 - DPR422 gets used most often for actual singers, but I switch it up a lot anyways. Lately I've been liking LDD, but mostly 'cuz I work with loud yelling dudes... in that case, it's been RE20/MD421/SM58 - N72 - 160X/DPR422/501... The one thing that remains constant is the N72, what an awesome pre!

Phil!!?! how ya doin'??

[palinilap]

Song dependant, but I guess I could say C414 - 7th Circle N72 - DPR422 gets used most often for actual singers, but I switch it up a lot anyways. Lately I've been liking LDD, but mostly 'cuz I work with loud yelling dudes... in that case, it's been RE20/MD421/SM58 - N72 - 160X/DPR422/501... The one thing that remains constant is the N72, what an awesome pre!

Phil!!?! how ya doin'??

Hey! Pretty good Geoff. Not working in audio, but still thinking in audio...

[RefD]

for my voice: modded 219 -> "low noise mod" Aphex 107 with HPF engaged -> Torn Cork Systems 311 limiter -> Layla 24 converter

sometimes i use a different pre.

[cgarges]

Also some mic (usually tube, sometimes old), into some pre, then some compressor. On a few weird instances, the compressor hasn't been necessary, but that's rare. Lately, the CMV563/M7 has been my starting point for a mic, but it's not always the winner. I usually set it up and then put it through some kind of really neutral-sounding preamp (like a Buzz, Sytek, Millenia, etc.) so that I can see what the mic's doing. If it's the right mic, it stays. If it's not, it gets changed, based on whatever needs to happen. Then, I'll choose a preamp based on the context of the song and a limiter for the same reason, with an eye on what I'm likely to do in the mix and/or whatever else is in use during tracking. (Like, if I have one 1176 available and I'm cutting vocals with the band and the 1176 is being used on kick drum, for example.) Occasionally, if the sound is good but there's some kind of rumble or weird mega-sibilance, I'll patch an EQ (usually a Pultec if it needs filtering, an API if the mix is dense and the vocal needs help standing out, or a Sontec if the singer is playing an instrument and I don't want to mess with the phase relationship of other mics in proximity) or a de-esser.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[MoreSpaceEcho]

usually either an sm7 or an at4050 into a DAV pre into a drawmer 1969 compressing only a couple dbs, into a fatso which is generally just hanging out not doing much, occasionally grabbing the "s"s a little bit. from there into a lavry blue to the computer.

[GetHimEatHim]

I've been using:

AT 4033 -> EH 12ay7 -> Digitech VCS-1 (Just a couple dbs) -> MOTU 828 MKII -> Compy. Works pretty well for my voice!

[Jay Reynolds]

TLM103/C414uls/RE-20/Sm57>LA610/RNP+RNC>828mkII>Logic Pro/Ableton

[vvv]

AT4040 into a Meek VC3q, or an SP VTB1. If the VTB1, then I like to use a software tube-type compressor, usually one I did in CEP; I find that I like to stack slow "soft" compressors ahead of fast "hard" compressors on my voice; YMWCV.

[JdJ]

Red Type B -> Buzz or Hamptone -> La2 or 1176. Somewhat of a starting point then change mic/pre/comp to suit song if necessary.

-J

[Jeff White]

Microtech-Geffel UM70s/AT4047/AT4050/AKG 414/Shure SM7b/Red "Redhead on Oktava MK-012 preamp into a Sytek or a BB modified Presonus MP20 into one of my interfaces and into Digital Performer.

Sometimes I end up using my RNC before the BLA 828mk2 or the Apogee Duet to tame some things, most of the time I use the WAVES RenComp or Ren Vox and then maybe some kind of limiting plug-in (Nomad Factory, Waves, TRacks mono limiter) to get it to squish a little more. I always use MOTU's Masterworks EQ in Digital Performer for all of my EQ needs. Love that plug-in.

I have yet to use my EH 12AY7 or try out the Yamaha P1000 for vocals. I have been experimenting with the Massey Tapehead AU version all over my mixes these days, and I know for layered vocals that thing has made it's way into my mixes for a little grit.

Jeff

[T-rex]

The mic always changes but generally either an SM7, 4047 or a Mouse into the Seventh Circle N72 into a DBX 160A. If it's a really shrill voice saturate the hell out of the N72 and use the VLA for a comp instead of the 160A.

I really need to try the EH 12AY7 for vox, just haven't done it yet.

[T-rex]

OR, a Tape Op Ribbon into the SCA A12 into the DBX 160A. I use that quite a bit on nasally singers. The A12 and ribbon go really well together to my ear.