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dasjambo · Post by **dasjambo** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:18 pm

Hey there!!!
I'm kind of new to recording, and i was wondering what the deal with doubling is. I've read that you should double vocals, i've read that you shouldn't double vocals, I've read you should double guitar and i've read you shouldn't double guitars. What do you guys think??
Thanks a lot!!!
Jeff

blümchen · Post by **blümchen** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:24 pm

If you wana make thin voices fatter, so double it.
But that don't fit into every music style, nor require all solo performances such doing generally.

It's basicly the same as not to play every synthesizer voice unisono for some reasons.

.

jens · Post by **jens** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 10:35 pm

yes, doubling makes it fatter - very often this gives a desired/desirable result - but in any case don't just copy your recorded take to another sequencer-track but actually record a second (a third, a fourth etc.) take!

here's my rule of thumb:

- most of the time I do not double verse vocals but chorus vocals...

- most of the time I double rhythm-guitars but seldome lead-guitars and never solo-guitars...

Van Greco · Post by **Van Greco** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:34 pm

All depends on the song. Doubling vocals can be really cool. I agree with jens about doing another live take as opposed to just copying the one you already have. The little inconsistancies can make all the difference. Especially good with "sing-along" type parts.
As for doubling guitars. Many types of rock music litarally depend on this technique for what has become their typical sound. It makes them sounf bigger, but takes up more space in the mix. Just experiment. Have fun with it. Does it sound good? Then it is.

Van Greco · Post by **Van Greco** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 11:36 pm

Also.
Why stop at two when sometimes ten is what you need? Just a thought.

Trojan Badger · Post by **Trojan Badger** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 6:31 am

Backing vocals and strummed guitars I always double - they open up the track massively. Lead vocals I don't, but I have heard some artists use a doubled lead vocal in an obvious way to make an effect - check out Sugar's "Copper Blue" album to see how they made this part of their signature sound.

skijumptoes · Post by **skijumptoes** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:22 am

I've found that recording acoustic guitar sounds nice when doubled up, you tend to hear the sound of the plectrum more which always sounds good to me. In fact i've got a semi acoustic and usually play one track plugged directly into my audio interface and the other track i mic the guitar, it works but you have to be careful how you pan them as it can off balance the mix somewhat.

I've never tried vocal doubling though, as strange as that sounds... I'm amazed at how great guitar sounds doubled up.. So i'm gonna have a play this weekend.

Lady J · Post by **Lady J** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 8:31 am

i have a kinda thin voice so i double it on verses and quad it on choruses. i also add in little backrounds which may add harmony during a hook or chorus.

dasjambo · Post by **dasjambo** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:14 pm

okay, thanks everyone!!

Rangtangtang · Post by **Rangtangtang** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:19 pm

ABBa doubled vocals and guitar, and mixed everything to mono.

Emerald Tablet · Post by **Emerald Tablet** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:24 pm

i never double my voice

i do detune it slightly but don`t tell this trick to anyone

example : http://www.panicnow.net/~remco/remco-setmefree.mp3

remco

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:28 pm

It all depends on the style.
Most modern pop vocals you may hear on radio and TV stations are in fact doubled, or even tripled, quadrupled, whatever. Background vocals almost allways are.
For something such as rock or even soul (basically anything with more "free" interpretations of a melodic line) it might not be as common.

Regarding guitars, most strumming accompaning acoustic strumming guitars are doubled (or more). Most heavy riff guitars are as well. Funky guitars usually aren't and as Jens said, the same goes for most solo lines.

jens · Post by **jens** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 12:58 pm

Sascha Franck wrote: Funky guitars usually aren't and

I should have thought of that.. - yes indeed it's usually not to good an idea to double funky guitar-licks... (although: actually I think I've never tried - hm - probably I should...

)

seamoss · Post by **seamoss** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 1:18 pm

doubled vocals can be nice if it's not overdone.

the intimacy in a voice is somewhat lost when the track is doubled.

so by no means should a singer do this on every single song IMO

unless they suck

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 2:10 pm

jens wrote: I should have thought of that.. - yes indeed it's usually not to good an idea to double funky guitar-licks... (although: actually I think I've never tried - hm - probably I should... )

It *can* be great, but you gotta play VERY tight for this to work.

KVR Audio

doubling vocals or guitars???

Do you double Vocals?