Softening vocal beeps, squeaks and knocks in 1k-2k hz area

[jp008]

I would like to hear any techniques that people might use when recording or mixing vocals, especially to soften or get rid of annoying vocal beeps, squeaks and knocks in the 1k-2k hz area.
Regardless of what dynamic or condenser microphones I've used on vocal tracks over the years, these frequencies have always been like a plague when recording or mixing. EQ usually does help, but sometimes too much is taken out when trying to soften artifacts and things start turning to mush or get 'blanketed' sounding.

Love to hear what others have to say !

[fese]

Well, I don’t “beep”, “squeak” or “knock” while singing (if you can call what I’m doing singing) but I’m guessing you mean (temporary) resonances which for vocals are quite normal, there’s always some formants popping up here and there. Not something you’ll solve with microphone imho, as it just comes from your vocals (you probably know that the tiniest changes of your vocal chords, the throat, the tongue and so on can alter the timbre of the voice quite drastically).
If they are really persistent and annoying, I’d try a dynamic equalizer or a specialized tool for handling resonances like TBProAudio’s DSEQ (makes dealing with unruly vocals so much easier!)
Unless you mean something else, but you’ll probably have to provide some examples.

[zerocrossing]

I use the Waves F6 dynamic EQ. You can see exactly where the troublesome frequencies lie and set up filter nodes that only kick in when they reach a threshold that you set.

[enroe]

General answer:

1. If it occurs only one or two times: Use an EQ + automation
2. If it occurs many times: Any multiband-compressor can cure those problems.

[andymcbain]

Soothe is good for that, as is Spiff - which is transient orientated. Both are pricey though. Sometimes the most effective way is to just isolate the noise on an audio clip, reduce the volume of the clip and do cross fades either side.

[Farshout]

+1 for Soothe2. That plugin is a time saver. I used to do it with a dynamic EQ like tdr Nova before soothe, excellent EQ can't believe it's free.

[jp008]

+1 for Soothe2. That plugin is a time saver. I used to do it with a dynamic EQ like tdr Nova before soothe, excellent EQ can't believe it's free.

I've actually watched several videos on how Soothe works, but honestly, I'm not sold. The thing I noticed immediately about it is, when specific frequencies are chosen by dragging the dots around, multiple frequency cuts are shown in the graphical area, which means, the algorithm of the program is deciding to cut 'whatever' all those other frequencies are, even if there are only specific frequencies being chosen. Tricky. So I'm not convinced.. but the pretty graphics jumping and bouncing around look kinda entertaining. I mean, I'm not saying the plugin isn't doing anything useful (for some people anyways), but I just don't think it's for me because although I prefer surgical EQ, I would rather prefer what frequencies to cut, rather than an algorithm. For that reason, I don't think I would even call it surgical. Maybe that's why they call it "dynamic"? Hmmmm

[Farshout]

I've actually watched several videos on how Soothe works, but honestly, I'm not sold. The thing I noticed immediately about it is, when specific frequencies are chosen by dragging the dots around, multiple frequency cuts are shown in the graphical area, which means, the algorithm of the program is deciding to cut 'whatever' all those other frequencies are, even if there are only specific frequencies being chosen. Tricky. So I'm not convinced.. but the pretty graphics jumping and bouncing around look kinda entertaining. I mean, I'm not saying the plugin isn't doing anything useful (for some people anyways), but I just don't think it's for me because although I prefer surgical EQ, I would rather prefer what frequencies to cut, rather than an algorithm. For that reason, I don't think I would even call it surgical. Maybe that's why they call it "dynamic"? Hmmmm

I get what you mean. Well, it's not a magic. It should be used with consciousness, like any other plugin.

[andymcbain]

I've actually watched several videos on how Soothe works, but honestly, I'm not sold. The thing I noticed immediately about it is, when specific frequencies are chosen by dragging the dots around, multiple frequency cuts are shown in the graphical area, which means, the algorithm of the program is deciding to cut 'whatever' all those other frequencies are, even if there are only specific frequencies being chosen. Tricky. So I'm not convinced.. but the pretty graphics jumping and bouncing around look kinda entertaining. I mean, I'm not saying the plugin isn't doing anything useful (for some people anyways), but I just don't think it's for me because although I prefer surgical EQ, I would rather prefer what frequencies to cut, rather than an algorithm. For that reason, I don't think I would even call it surgical. Maybe that's why they call it "dynamic"? Hmmmm

I get what you mean. Well, it's not a magic. It should be used with consciousness, like any other plugin.

Sometimes it's quicker to use a dynamic EQ, sometimes it's quicker to use Soothe. When it's the right tool for the job, it does it's job very well indeed. Automating the wet / dry is usually needed for me.