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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 420
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 420 |
Hello all I've been quite busy lately recording and mixing songs I'm preparing for future playing. I've done a fare few recordings to get a good idea of what I can achieve. As a beginner i'm quite happy with what i've been able to achieve so far, I think it's brilliant and in such a short amount of time as well, but that said and being a perfectionist i'm not completely happy with my vocals. I'm not the best of singers and not everyone's going to like my voice, but that said I have something I can work with. However my vocals, with the tedious of mixes just comes out a bit raw sounding and not smooth like you'd expect from CDs. I know my budget recording is never going to sound as good as a multimillion recording studio but can anyone offer an tips or point me in the right direction to improve vocals and make them sound great. I'm using a dynamic mic, not a condenser mic so this could be part of the problem? I've tried mixing different ways, compression, no compression, EQ, no EQ, different reverbs but my voice still sounds ok ish and a bit raw (in your face and not smooth) I'm using my computer HiFi, VRM Box and HD280 headphones to mix with. My mixes seem ok but not quite there yet. They sound great in my headphones but when listening through HiFi speakers my vocals sound wanting -I've just listened to my recordings from sound cloud on my iPhone connected to my Apple HiFi speaker and the sound was lacking depth and the vocals seem too loud for example. Check out my songs if you will below. SoundCloud.com I appreciate I'm on a journey here but if anyone has some golden nuggets of advise then I'm all ears! Thanks Paul
Last edited by PaulH; 02/17/13 02:39 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,106 |
keep in mind that of all aspects of a performance, the public historically seems to grant most flexibility to the artists vocal delivery. Consider artists like Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Sonny Bono, Kenny Rogers and many others whose voices are anything but pristine... yet, they are distinctive... and for an artist it can be advantageous to cultivate a distinctive sound even at the expense of other things.
Having said that, the TC Helicon voiceworks PLUS (not the regular voiceworks) has a built-in formant modification feature... which lets vocalists "sculpt" the aspects of vocal quality that would normally be solely based on the physical shape and size of your vocal chords, nasal cavity etc.
But it's pricey. Cool though. I know of no other hardware unit that offers the ability to sculpt formant on the fly.
(For the studio, Melodyne has a formant modification mode.)
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Joined: Dec 2012
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2012
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I've been using Melodyne (trial) version at the moment on all my songs, its been a great help. I've not tried with harmonies yet. I've seen the TC Helicon but not the PLUS version, on YouTube and it looked interesting.
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2001
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I don't see anything wrong with your voice. Sounds pretty good to me. Everyone has their own sound and there isn't much you can do about that. That's what makes it stand out from everyone else. The only thing that I noticed about your recordings is that they all sound pretty much alike. You have a good voice good tone and good pitch control. occ
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Enthusiast
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A decent mic and a good preamp, anything with focusrite on it is acceptable IMHO.
Record at 24bit 44.1 as hot as you can into your sound card the rest is down to perforance and vibe created and final Mix. Reference monitors help but not necessary as long as you know the sound of your system its fine. Ref A/B all the time and keep pluggin FX to a minimum
Regards
Darren
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Paul,
I agree with OCC. You have a good voice. Your mixes sound fine as well. You just haven't been doing it very long, and lack the confidence that comes with experience.
For a 'beginner', I think you are doing fine. There are a lot of "singers" out there who have been doing it for ages and don't sound as good as you.
p.s. John Lennon never liked the sound of his voice, and was always looking for effects to alter it.
Regards,
Bob
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 148
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 148 |
Hello Paul
I am by no means expert in this area so take my comments for what they are worth. However, I have the same "problem" as you, that is I´m not happy with my own voice, and I try constantly to improve with different processing.
However, you have a really good singing voice, so I do not think that you really have a problem ;-)
However, I believe that you can achieve a little more on your vocal by experimenting a bit more with reverb and delay. The problem with reverb is - as you know - that you can come to 'overdose' and it is absolutely a no go.
You mentioned yourself that your voice is slightly dominant in relation to the song, and it was also my own experience when I listened to your songs, it's like your voice could be more integrated into the song (for lack of a better word). Reverb can make a difference here by dragging your voice a little.
I have recently used a technique which can alleviate the reverberation by means of a so-called compressor ducking. This technique allows you to have more reverb, and delay for that matter, without your singing voice is buried in the song.
Just my 2 kroner
Jan
JROM
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Paul, listen to OCC.
Your vocals and mixes are spot on IMHO.
Very few people like their own voice!
Personally I wish that I had a voice like yours and I ain’t kidding!
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Joined: Jan 2011
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Hi Paul, I agree with Dazzman,record at 24bit 44.1 as hot as you can. Then use a plug-in from Izotope, called Nectar. You can try it for free in 10 days. I have it and I love my vocal sound.  http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/nectar/download.asp-roger
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Just keep doing it, Paul.
Like every other aspect of music, repetition, with an eye and ear towards improving the previous performance in some aspect for the NOW performance will add up to improvement if you keep at it.
So keep at it.
We've heard far worse first offerings around here, your songs sound pretty nice, actually.
If this was EASY, it wouldn't be worth pursuing.
--Mac
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Hey guys, I really appreciate your kind comments. Yes I guess not many like the sound of their own voice like not many like their own photos. When I listen to these songs on my HD280 headphones or my Computer HiFi I'm happy with the sound but then I play the same songs on some other speakers and they can accentuate my voice and then I sound it abit in your face. I'm still tweeking my voice, even on the songs I've uploaded to iron out pitch problems. I'm definitely learning from you guys cause my mixes have changed since posting questions - for the better I think! Regarding my songs sounding the same, thats quite difficult for me to do much about because I bought BIAB to do for me what I could not do for myself and that is play other instruments. I play rhythm guitar and a bit of percussion and sing, the rest I depend on BIAB. Fortunately I have a 6 and a 12 string so it adds something to my mixes as both are in there. These songs (which are not my own) were originally intended as backing tracks to sing/play live too rather than trying to release another album to the world. But it's every musicians dream I think to have their playing or songs polished up and able to play them in your car. Thanks for your encouragement. PS I looked up the tC Helicon PLUS and its about £315 here in the UK but it doesnt have a mic out, only a mic in! Not sure if I could use that?
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Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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