Mixing multiple vocal tracks

[reverieman]

When mixing say a four part harmony.... how do you go about EQ choices? Do backing vocals usually have a good majority of the lows taken out? How would you go about EQing and panning a four vocal harmony? Any Suggestions?

[Naagzh]

Is one of the vocal tracks a lead vocal? If so, leave it where it is, and pan softly around them with the other 3 tracks.

If none are "lead", then I'd pan two +/- 10, and two +/- 25 just for starters. I wouldn't go too wide if it's supposed to sound like a group singing. If a vocal is singing something different lyrically, pan it off wider. Remember REM's "The End of the World", where the "I, I, have some time alone" comes in over the top of the chorus? That's panned wide, if memory serves. For an even more experimental approach, heck, put on some headphones and just listen to some Queen.

Yes, I usually cut off more lows on backup vocals, but it totally depends on the voices and registers. In order to keep backup vocals from crowding the lead vocal, I'll give them a bit more reverb, delay, whatever. In general, cut off as many lows as you can without seriously changing the sound, and boost the high end a smidge for some air. Maybe boost the lower midrange (around 200) of the lead vocal to give it some strength. Also, roll off the high end on your reverbs, delays, etc. to get rid of shrillness.

[cfb25]

I usually just add highs to bvs. Rarely will i cut the lows much if at all. Also, for the verbs, i usually cut highs and lows of the verb. This keeps it from getting shrill up top and from muddying your mix down low....