Background Vocals first

[bryced87]

What is your opinion on recording background vocals first? Is it sometimes easier to have background vocals first so you can then add lead after?

[Shan]

If they are harmony vocals sung with the lead, then I myself always do the lead vocal first. It's easier to sing the harmony with the lead than going at it blind.

Shane

[bryced87]

What if it's a rap song with words like "Yeah" Huh?" after each line? Is that recorded last or first?

[Shan]

Originally Posted by bryced87

What if it's a rap song with words like "Yeah" Huh?" after each line? Is that recorded last or first?

I can only speak for myself, but even ad libs in Hip Hop tracks I record last. You gotta know where to drop them so you're not steppin' all over the rap. There's no hard and fast rules to this at the end of the day. Go with the method that gets the best results for your own material.

Shane

[Craig F]

makes it hard to adjust to word/line changes that happen in the booth

[GregV]

I agree with our esteemed colleagues... If the BG has any direct relationship to the Lead, then I would do them after.
If, however, the BG functions as more "part of the band", then it shouldn't matter when you record it.

[VRW]

I remember on working with successful producers they always recorded the Leadvoc 2 times.
The 1st one they recorded before the BVs as a guide track.
This guide track however was recorded seriously and edited properly afterwards as this vocal would influence
the performance of the BV singers as well and all the overdubs which would still follow.
After the BVs were finished they got the lead singer entering the booth a 2nd time to do the final version of the Lead.
That´s at least what I had been experiencing several times.



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[bryced87]

Does anyone know and tips to getting the lead vocal to sound louder without doubling the vocal? I don't have a mic preamp other than the Mbox2 which doesn't give me lots of power with volume. I have a very cheap setup with a very cheap audiotechnica Mic. I always have to double tracks to get it to have the louder sound.

[chrisdee]

I would try to compress the lead vocal with a combination of LA2a and 1176.
That should make your lead vocal sound louder and more upfont.

[GregV]

EQ will also help. Make sure you leave "space" in the band mix for the vocals. If every instrument has 1.5k to 5k boosted, then it will be hard to get the vocal to pop out.
Remember that a vocal's "fundamental" pitch will generally exist between around 300Hz and 800Hz, but you can get more clarity around 2k and 4 or 5k. (These are all approximate)
I hope that helps