Audio Illusion?

[MNDanny]

Hi - I'm wondering whether I'm having an "audio delusion." I record with Pro Tools LE 8.3. Installed on a Mac Mini running Snow Leopard. We use an MBox 2. Record with various synths, etc. We use powered M Audio monitors.

We record vocals using reasonable quality mics (Studio Projects C3) in a sound dampened room. The levels are all okay and by themselves, the vocal tracks sound great, with no distortion.

Here's my question - we use the Boom drum set on Pro Tools. Sometimes we run Boom through Amplitude to get distortion, etc. When we use Boom along with the vocal tracks there seems to be distortion that "bleeds" over onto the vocal track. In other words, even though the vocal is fine when soloed, when it is not being soloed there is noticeable distortion. (Again, the levels are fine.) The vocal distortion seems to line up with the kick, which is (deliberately) being distorted.

If this were analogue tape, I'd be looking to adjust the tape heads, because bleed through really can occur with multi-track analogue tape. But, I know that there is no such thing as digital bleed through.

Is it possible that this is just an audio illusion and that my ear is hearing the distortion that we've have deliberately introduced to the Boom track?

But - if my producer and I hear it, everyone else will, too. What's the answer? Better separation in the mix?

We'd appreciate any insights. Thanks in advance.

[EGS]

Double check all your routings and sends.

[MNDanny]

What should I be looking for? I'm pretty sure we are not routing the vocal track through Amplitude. We probably are routing it through a reverb. Thanks.