KVR Audio

heathledger · Post by **heathledger** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 6:24 pm

i've been looking on the net to find some explanation for what i think is a type of processing added to vocals to get this sound...
if you listen closely to the first phrase, near the end it sounds like there is some sort of tapestop effect too.

it can be heard on múm, bjork, sigur ros, etc.
the "icelandic baby voice"

is it the singers natural tone of voice? falsetto? is there a certain type of processing involved? doing some searches all i could find is:

vespertine is a lush, gorgeous swell of midpace electronica, symphonic strings, and björk's uniquely alien, spectral vocals.

Kim Lajoie · Post by **Kim Lajoie** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:17 pm

I think that's just the sound of the voice - the pitch swooop is part of the performance.

-Kim.

heathledger · Post by **heathledger** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:56 pm

okay, could you explain 'spectral vocals' i still don't understand what that means, and searching for mum, i've found the same thing said about those vocals in the youtube link i posted as in - a vague reference to 'spectral vocals'

Well, perhaps not entirely, because this Múm is still characterized by spectral vocals and eclectic music, but the methods -- and feeling -- are different.

from a review found here:
http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/mum/go ... ivy/16610/

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:17 pm

As a general adjective, "spectral" means ghostly. It can also mean having to do with a spectrum (rainbow) but that probably doesn't fit. Some audio effects break up the audio spectrum into frequency bands for separate processing; doesn't seem likely to me that a non-musician would use the word that way though.

heathledger · Post by **heathledger** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:55 pm

sorry but that definition is not really useful as far as audio processing.
we're not talking about color spectrum and rainbows

edit: sorry if that sounded rude i'm just looking for a a better explanation in terms of how that applies to processing vocals...

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 10:58 pm

Yes, I know; that's what the "probably doesn't fit" part means.

Does the first definition seem right to you -- a ghostly sound?

heathledger · Post by **heathledger** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:00 pm

@meffy: yes, it certainly sounds "ghostly" to me.

heathledger · Post by **heathledger** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:07 pm

after listening some more it seems to me that the vocal could be multiplied on different tracks and pitched differently? sorry if i've confused anyone but i'm referring specifically to the youtube link i posted.

maybe the only way i'm gonna get anywhere near this sound is by recording a 12 yr old Japanese girl...

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:07 pm

There ya go. I'm not familiar with the artist so couldn't tell if that was what "spectral" meant in this connection.

ckatrun411 · Post by **ckatrun411** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:13 pm

IMHO, that youtube link you posted is saturated with digital distortion. Somebody squashed it so hard when making the movie.

A) It was difficult to listen too.

B) I didn't hear too many fx on the vocal. Standard dl/vb, maybe a chorus in some parts?

Who knows.....

If you have a better sounding sample, easier on the ears....................

Cheers

heathledger · Post by **heathledger** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:14 pm

that's understandable, but the same words has been used to describe bjorks vocals on vespertine aswell. i guess it wouldn't seem like an odd coincidence if the word "ghostly" was used. either way, i doubt either singer's voices we're recorded without additional processing.

hao nao · Post by **hao nao** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:13 pm

maybe a breathy vocal with some of the bass EQ'd out, a little reverb, and a noise gate?

(btw, spectral posting seems kind of shady

)