Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#427519 08/25/17 07:19 AM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 547
Journeyman
OP Offline
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/


Samuel Davis Jr
BIAB 2018 + Cubase + Ignite
BMI

www.sammycountry.com
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,130
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,130
Thanks for sharing that with us Sammy!


Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK
DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8
Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD
Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD
Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,820
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,820
Excellent article!

Thanx for sharing.


I want my last spoken words to be "I hid a million dollars under the........................"

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
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Originally Posted By: Samuel Davis
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/




Excellent article. Thanks.


Regards,

Bob

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,078
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,078
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

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,820
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,820
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
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.


I want my last spoken words to be "I hid a million dollars under the........................"

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: 7,758
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,758

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
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
Offline
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: 9,326
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,326
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.com
Add 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: 14,078
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,078
Here's an article that emphasizes capturing the emotion.

https://reverb.com/news/home-recording-b...3dd5c7-63396281

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,121
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,121
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
J
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
J
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 48
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
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
Offline
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
joe5 #432309 10/04/17 12:46 PM
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,636
Quote:
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.


Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®

The Bob Doyle Media YouTube channel is known for demonstrating how you can creatively incorporate AI into your projects - from your song projects to avatar building to face swapping, and more!

His latest video, Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box, he explains in detail how you can use the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box with ACE Studio. Follow along as he goes from "nothing" to "something" with his Band-in-a-Box MIDI Melodist track, using ACE Studio to turn it into a vocal track (or tracks, you'll see) by adding lyrics for those notes that will trigger some amazing AI vocals!

Watch: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box


Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!

The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!

Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.

This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245

The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option

Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!

Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!

For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.

Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.

Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!

Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.

Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!

With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!

Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,641
Posts735,380
Members38,525
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
OlvaJownDay, Tranner Track, Ely Bass, Barking, SYOTR
38,524 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 182
DC Ron 101
dcuny 89
rsdean 70
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5