Vocal Chain Tricks

[Becharax]

Hello Folks,

I finally decided it's about time I start recording some vocals in my studio ...

I have the AKG Perception 420 Mic connected to my Eleven Rack who in turn is connected through SPDIF to my Apogee Symphony ....

I armed a vocal track and started recording ...the results were a disaster lol

I added a compressor, a MAAG EQ, ... it got a bit better ...

but there's something missing in there ..... the vocals sound pathetic to say the least ....

What do you have some tricks up your sleeve to have a better vocal channel strip ??

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by DJ Bechara

Hello Folks,

I finally decided it's about time I start recording some vocals in my studio ...

I have the AKG Perception 420 Mic connected to my Eleven Rack who in turn is connected through SPDIF to my Apogee Symphony ....

I armed a vocal track and started recording ...the results were a disaster lol

I added a compressor, a MAAG EQ, ... it got a bit better ...

but there's something missing in there ..... the vocals sound pathetic to say the least ....

What do you have some tricks up your sleeve to have a better vocal channel strip ??

Could be several issues:
Did you turn on the 48v phantom power on the 11R?
I thought you bought a mic pre to use with the Symphony or did you not do that?
Define disaster - what did it sound like? Could be your room acoustics and if you have any kind of noise generators like fans in equipment that will get into an open mic if not properly taken care of. Then again there's the possibility that the mic and your voice just won't work together - that's not unusual and the reason studios have multiple different mics to try and match as best as possible to the singer.
Then again there's the possibility that your voice is the problem

[Becharax]

Hahahahahahhaha
Ok let me explain !! The voice is so dry ... So in ur face ... And if i am to add a reverb it sounds so echoic ... Am working on rock vocals ... What would be the best reverb settings ??
No i didnt buy a separate mic pre .. And 48v is definitely on

[dr_daw]

How are you setting up your reverb? It should be setup as an Aux send, not as an Insert. For rock, I tend to lean towards the Dave Grohl approach; double track the vocals. I would then use a plate style Reverb and possibly a Delay set as a doubler.

That in your face sound can also be caused by the Proximity effect on your mic. Vocals, like all instruments, are all about mic placement.

[Becharax]

Oh .... Ok for the Send Effect for the reverb this is how I am using it ... as well as delay ... but what kind of plate ?? I think the placement is an issue here ... my room is fully treated so there is no problem in here ... I think it's more about the reverb and delay effects .... I hope someone could share his settings and preferred plugins ...

[Becharax]

maybe a good Eleven Rack Preset (using the DSP Plugins) on the rack :)

[dr_daw]

If I recall correctly your room is pretty dead. If you're doing vocals in there, it's going to be really dry and up front. I personally use rVerb from the Renaisance bundle, start with one of the vocal plate presets and experiment from there. For delay I use Tel-Ray, start with a doubler preset and adjust to taste.

I believe the stock PT's reverb has a vocal plate setting, then just make adjustments to taste. Once you find something you like, be sure to save it as a preset, then you can go back to it.

[Becharax]

I Got rVerb !! :) I will check the one you told me and yes true ... the room is dead !! :) but I got used to the harmonics of it and my mixes seem to be well translating :)

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by DJ Bechara

Oh .... Ok for the Send Effect for the reverb this is how I am using it ... as well as delay ... but what kind of plate ?? I think the placement is an issue here ... my room is fully treated so there is no problem in here ... I think it's more about the reverb and delay effects .... I hope someone could share his settings and preferred plugins ...

For reverb, if you don't have one, take a look at Reverberate and use it on a send. Try the gold plate and mess with the send levels going to the reverb. I'd make it simple and use a post fader send and use the send level to vary the percentage of reverb. Start with the send fader all the way down and slowly bring it up to where you like the sound. Each to his own for the sound you're going for.

I'd stay way from delay at this point. Record dry and use fx to season that way if you don't like what you come up with you still have the original unadulterated recording to mess with. You may also find you'll need some compression to even out the levels somewhat but don't overdo that. May favorite compressor on vocals right now is an LA2A emulation. Use just enough of the peak reduction control to bring some of the peaks down.

[Becharax]

Perfect ... how about some EQ ??

It's just that ... all the song I am composing seems to glue together except the vocals ... you can feel as if they were parachuted all way down .... you see ? I think the new collab feature in Pro Tools will be really worth it ... :)