"Normal" compression for vocals on pop or rock song?

[tonepad]

Originally Posted by Mike Teslow

Hi, excuse the ignorance, but does any know what the "normal" compression would be on lead vocals on a pop or rock song? I realize it could be a range, but I assume there is a sweet spot for male vocals.

May I suggest that you get yourself a couple of good books on recording techniques or even one specifically on compressors such as:

"Compressors, Limiters, Expanders & Gates" By Bill Gibson... cheap and available and covers all the basics one of the clearest in my library.

While I agree with Bob Olhsson that distortion is introduced, the artful and sometimes extreme use of compression is a fact of our music. To illustrate the good use of distortion listen to some of Adele's stuff. In the best sense the compression used creates a very warm intimate sound with a talented and expressive singer. Yes her voice is unique but IMO the sound of that recording represents a very creative use of compression. It sounds to me like tube compression since in its' extreme use on her record it is almost dirty and def distorted... too much on a few tracks for my taste.

I agree with others that you should start with conservative settings around 4:1 and build from there, the book I refered you to explains this ratio concept very well. Most of the "hot" mixers are running chains of devices that each add a little bit along the way.

As part of the chain many people record with a bit of compression, with some devices creating color and some just cleanly controlling levels...and I'm one of those people. There is also the concept of using bus compression in addition to or in place of track compression.

And on and on it goes, but count me as one of those who loves compression, and the art and science of its' use!

Wilson

[Bob Olhsson]

Originally Posted by Mike Teslow

However, I usually read about successful producers who seem to have a "bag of tricks" whereby they set up their mixing and/or mastering environments in a pretty consistent way.

Follow the money. Who paid for the magazine? Who is sponsoring their statements?

If there is any one truism about recording and mixing, it is the fact that it is never the same twice. Success is about the ability to embrace that fact and find solutions as opposed to pulling out a bunch of formulas.

[mksnz]

I love compressors... what they can do to make a mediocre singer sound better and how they can make acoustic guitars ring evenly on the background.
And unfortunately, most of us have to deal with mediocre musicians who have not even finished nor thoroughly practised their material before coming to studio.

[GTBannah]

Originally Posted by Mike Teslow

.... However, I usually read about successful producers who seem to have a "bag of tricks" whereby they set up their mixing and/or mastering environments in a pretty consistent way.

.... and this bag of tricks contains years of experience in how to use the tools, bringing us back to "you", the producer, not the tools.

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

If there is any one truism about recording and mixing, it is the fact that it is never the same twice. Success is about the ability to embrace that fact and find solutions as opposed to pulling out a bunch of formulas.

Exactly!

[tonepad]

But it is also true that everyone finds "go to" devices that you know will behave a certain way on their own or in combi with others.

Who could argue that: API, Urei, (hi end) or RNC, Summit Audio (mid high) or even some cheaper boxes and on the plug side: Massey/Waves/Sonnox and even Digirack are not to be trusted.

In the reality of budgets you have know your hardware and the how when and where to use them.

Wilson

[Wango]

Originally Posted by Mike Teslow

Hi, excuse the ignorance, but does any know what the "normal" compression would be on lead vocals on a pop or rock song? I realize it could be a range, but I assume there is a sweet spot for male vocals.

My 2 cents.

To get that in your face pop radio voice, you need to use compression, and lots of it - even with a good singer. But that's just the beginning. Once you have it adequately eq'd and compressed, you'll want to subtley apply other effects, such as doublers and harmonic exciters. They can give the vocals much more presence, with a natural or unnatural sound, depending on your preference. The more doubler and/or exciter, the less natural it sounds.

The effects should not be applied to the source track, but used in aux tracks with sends from the souce track. This will give yoiu greater control over blending them in with the main source track.

Another technique (you can do in addition to doublers/exciters) to is to produce a stereo flange track on the vocal and again, mix it subltey in with the main (dry) vocals via aux sends.

Sprinkle in some reverb to smooth it out and you can get a pretty 'in your face' vocal. Of course, you don't want the vocal to pop out of the mix. It still needs to sound like the vocalist is singing with the band, and not standing next to a radio, singing alone.

Applying effects like this can give the vocals a lot of presence, without excessive volume. You don't want excessive volume, or they won't blend into the mix.

As for the compressor, make sure the threshold is low enough to even out the peaks. Once you see the compressor compressing, drop the threshold another 4-6 db then compansate with either the compressor gain or just turn the track up louder.

Start with a 4:1 ratio, maybe try as high as 10:1. Fast attack and release produce distotion so play around with them. Their settings depend very much on the source material, but a good starting point is 10ms attack, 100ms release.

Hope this helps.

[jeam25]

Hi !

I like mix mixes but im having hard time trying to get that airy quality and articulated vocal mix that you united states people get so easy
I mean a voal track that have a lot of air , h and s letters and whispers !
I know it can be done with my tracks because after mastering proccess i heard that effect on it .
But i can get as much as posible on my mixes before mastering .

Heres an example :

http://users.choicecable.net/jeam25/marchate.mp3

Thanks !

[GTBannah]

Well, I've heard some mastered work that doesn't sound as good and clear as that.

Nice work!

[jeam25]

Well thanks !

and thanks for your time