You are experiencing comb filtering.... where the frequencies are interfering with each other as the frequency changes relative to the other one..... some add, some subtract, but all will be some mathematical variation of that.

A copy is exact and the effect is greater because of that exactness. It's not a good idea to use clones for doubling.

The better way to thicken vocals: This is how I do it..... there are other ways to get this happening.

Lets assume one lead vocal and 2 harmony vocals in places.

Record the lead vocal 3 different times, each in it's own track. Make them as close as possible with regards to vocal pitch and phrasing.

Record the 2 harmony tracks also paying attention to pitch and phrasing.

Now.... do your pitch correction with Melodyne or VVocal if you have them or need to do this.

Select one of the leads as the MAIN vocal. Be sure this is centered. Pan the other two lead vocals 100% left and right. Now pull the faders down to about -20db to start with.

Pan the harmony tracks 80% left and right and start at about -16db.

You just want the thickening that this will give you, not the obvious sound of double tracked vocals. You should NOT be able to hear the lower level leads unless you solo the vocal bus... the harmonies should be "present" and sound like they are simply a part of the lead vocal.

An example from my music: http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11843061

Use some headphones to listen carefully.

In this song, I use the very method I described above. The harmonies in the chorus are intentionally louder than I would normally have them. Listen to the verses, there is harmony in there that is at the levels I spoke of in the -16db range.... in the chorus, I bring them up to around -12db or so.

Verse 1 just solo vocal with doubling.

Verse 2 doubled with harmony on most of it. The vocals just really seem fatter to the casual listener but it's the harmony.

I hope this helps

BTW: that example song is about a good friend of mine who died with cancer: He loved Blue Grass music.

Get to know him here>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DmLXESjGWs


Last edited by Guitarhacker; 11/14/13 07:49 AM.
You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
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