Tips on mixing and panning main Vocals and harmonies?

[Vanderlae]

I have just recorded tracks for a typically commercially sounding pop song sung (well) with female vocals. (brief is for a kids show)

I’m up to mixing the main vocals, then its harmonies. I’ve used nice outboard gear and mic so the source sound is good – I just need to know where to sit them all in the mix! What are your hot tips for making a bright and present sounding vocal with that ‘sheen’?

Oh…all vocs were compressed going in and sound very levelled so now they need just the ‘treatment’ ! Though I may re-amp them with the preamp (Chandler TG2) a little hotter if need.

Panning – I’ve double-tracked all chorus parts in addition to the main vocal, where would they sit? (-30, + 30 eg?!) I then have 2 harmonies that are also double-tracked (4 separate tracks). Lastly, in the last chorus there’s a vocal part that comes in over the top of the chorus and is the main feature. How would you pan those?

Effect – I’ve set up an aux channel that I’m sending the main vocal to, I want it pretty dry and hot so I’m not in favour of using much if any reverb – what about delay? Could this make it shine a little more and what settings would you recommend (only have pro tools delay plug-in) Anything else you’d recommend as a must?

Thanks a million!!

[M.Brane]

Whatever sounds best. Seriously. We have no idea what your tracks sound like so it's really impossible to make meaningful suggestions. Without hearing it we would just be shooting in the dark.

Even if you can post a clip I bet you'll still get a different answer from each person.

[Vanderlae]

I dig, and a fair comment! I guess I'm also seeking what kind of 'preferences' there may be out there regarding panning vocals. The experimentation begins...

[xx1messxx]

Usually, I'll keep the main track straight up the middle, and for harmonies, and reinforced doubles, I'll add a short delay (8 - 12ms) to the track so that they separate. I'll then pan the doubles out a bit, and then pan the backing tracks further out, though I don't pan out 100% each way because it sucks out the middle. This should give you enough space so that all the vocals sit together. Then add a few aux tracks for a medium delay, long delay, and long and short reverbs and play with those settings. For more effect than actual vocal, click Pre on the aux track send. This will send the signal from the track "pre" fader so that your volume won't affect the signal going into the effect.

That should get you started!

R

[zolimer]

Something you may try that i used to do sometimes with good results is to shift your doubles slightly to create an offset. I have a not so pro voice and i have gotten a fuller sounding vocal track in some situations doing this.

[skycraft]

You may want to try something like this...

[zolimer]

Good article, Thanks