|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547 |
I haven't been very happy with my vocal tracks lately so i looked up some tips on google. This article seems quite helpful. Thought maybe others might benefit from it. https://www.musicianonamission.com/mixing-vocals-how-to-mix-vocals/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,011
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,011 |
Thanks for sharing that with us Sammy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,538
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,538 |
Excellent article!
Thanx for sharing.
My wife had her driving test today.
She got 8 out of 10.
The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Excellent article. Thanks. Regards, Bob
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,052 |
Thanks. Lot of detail there. It might be presumptuous but I'd suggest making sure you well know your vocalist's voice, the nuances, etc., and have a good idea of what your objective is with it. As always a reference song is helpful.
I'm a bit dubious about assuming that you should nearly always have to comp. if the vocalist is a good singer and knows what his/her interpretation is going to be I'm of the school that after a couple of takes you start to lose a little bit each time...at least for one who puts their heart and soul into each take. All said realizing that I'm likely the odd man out.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,538
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,538 |
Thanks. Lot of detail there. It might be presumptuous but I'd suggest making sure you well know your vocalist's voice, the nuances, etc., and have a good idea of what you your objective is with it. As always a reference song is helpful.
I'm a bit dubious about assuming that you should nearly always have to comp. if the vocalist is a good singer and knows what his/her interpretation is going to be I'm of the school that after a couple of takes you start to lose a little bit each time...at least for one who puts their heart and soul into each take. All said realizing that I'm likely the odd man out.
Bud No you're not! I agree! I would much rather take the first or second take, even if there are a couple of small warts, over a dull 3 or more takes.
My wife had her driving test today.
She got 8 out of 10.
The other 2 jumped out of the way!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,463
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,463 |
It seems to me there is an awful of of "upselling" going on in this article. Buy my amazing seminars! Buy my ultimate guide!! Or at least that was the impression I got.
Some good information--don't get me wrong--but also some overkill.
I think a lot of folks on this forum have Nectar, or Neutron, or something like them, and good compressor VSTs, and know how to use them. (Or they simply make up their own vocal chain rigs.) There are any number of good plug-ins that can analyze your vocals and help you get them in the right spectrum. In a month or so of fiddling around with your own stuff you will know as much as any engineer.
Most of the really good vocalists I know keep the effects to a minimum and work with a great mic and the bare minimum of effects. But they put the vocals front and center and the other instruments are well mixed.
As for takes, Mick Jagger has often been known to keep the first takes because they had more emotion and spontaneity, even if they weren't perfect.
Jeff Lynne commented on Bob Dylan in the Traveling Wilburys (this is almost right, I think, my memory is not perfect):
"Bob doesn't do second takes. You have to go with what you get--unless he's really off, and then you have to be, well, very delicate."
So, I don't know, I think you can go way too far with all of this. In rock 'n roll, I think you just have to stand up there and do it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
I thought it was an excellent article. At least it acknowledges different genres of music in how much or how little to process. Most web how-tos are pop oriented and way overkill for most of us. Punters can decide what they need to get out of it, including the comp thing. Personally I find first takes work great when you really really know the song, otherwise a few goes at it might reveal ways to express yourself better.
Thanks for sharing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,803
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,803 |
Start with a good vocal take and 90% of the work is done at that point. Add a touch of compression, a bit of reverb, clean up the noise, and you should be done.
I skimmed parts of the linked story....
after telling how to EQ and over-compress the heck out of a vocal track....
this statement was made......
"Never over-process a vocal or use effects for the sake of it"......
okkkkkay! Funny stuff there....
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,052
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,052 |
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,018
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,018 |
I thought the section on using gain automation was interesting, I had never actually heard of doing that before.
I always do volume automation, but his argument about controlling the level of the vocal before it hits the compressor makes sense. I'm going to look into how to do that with reaper.
As far as compiling a vocal from multiple vocal tracks, that's not going to happen! Seems it would suck the soul right out of the performance. Might be ok for pop, not going to work for blues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 48
Enthusiast
|
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 48 |
I'm a bit dubious about assuming that you should nearly always have to comp. if the vocalist is a good singer and knows what his/her interpretation is going to be I'm of the school that after a couple of takes you start to lose a little bit each time...at least for one who puts their heart and soul into each take. All said realizing that I'm likely the odd man out. Hardly. Anyone who thinks you nearly always have to comp must be used to working with seriously lame singers and/or doesn't have nearly as much knowledge about the topic as they seem to be trying to present.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
What a great article - definitely a lot of information info here. As BlueAttitude mentioned above, I've found compiling vocals from various tracks can indeed such the soul out of the vocals on a track, but it does have its place if you're going for a top 40 sort of mixdown.
Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,540
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 22,540 |
Anyone who thinks you nearly always have to comp must be used to working with seriously lame singers and/or doesn't have nearly as much knowledge about the topic as they seem to be trying to present. This coin has more than one side. Most of the time we record everything, from the initial jam (just bouncing ideas off the wall) to final tracks. We may have a night where the vocalist does the verses perfect, but we notice later we like the chorus better like he sang it originally. So we redo the choruses more like the original and comp it. While recording new songs the ideas are still forming. So comping can be normal in this scenario. Especially if trying to do it in a limited number of nights. Also, PGMusic products are aimed at the 'DIY' market .. and the whole basis of how styles/RT's work is intelligent 'comping'. <grin> FWIW, I've worked with both kinds of vocalists, and sometimes at the same time .. many times it wasn't me that wanted to keep almost everything but redo one section. It was vocalist (or the band). In this case my job is to record it and comp it so the client is happy.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® users: Build 1237 is now available!
Already a Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows user? Stay up to date and download the build 1237 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,056
Posts799,517
Members40,024
| |
Most Online44,367
Mar 4th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean