I just recorded some vocal snippets that I want to dice and add some fx magic to for a trance anthem I'm working on. Problem is, this is the first time I've mixed vocals and I want make it sound pro sounding.
I wanted to get the low down from the experts, particularly, what eq ranges tend to work well, for cutting or boosting, and what sort of fx treatment do u guys give vocals to make them sound huge. The track I'm working on, has some huge leads and I want the vocals to sound as big as the synths in this monster. Thanks in advance.
Currently, I'm using Waves Native Gold plugins, if that helps. Any details on the fx techniques would be much appreciated, I'm still getting use to the digital plugins realm of Waves.
Best
Gabe
Vocals for a trance track! Any fx magic tips for the newbie?
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- KVRist
- 301 posts since 5 Jun, 2004
Well typically trance vocals are a bit more airy than other genres, but you should be careful. Eq with caution put a shelfing at about 1000 hz and above 10~14. Try it though and see what sounds better and makes it sit well in the mix. Also put some reverb on them. I'm not even going to mention compressing them, that goes without saying, to smooth out the level differences. Any effect you'd like to achieve in particular so i can help you out ?
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- KVRian
- 1325 posts since 1 Sep, 2004
At first it depends very much from the material you have.
But mostly there are the following general rules for trance tracks:
1. Propper EQing and compression (if not already done while recording).
Filter out all the unnecessary frequency content (bass rumble and too much body) and give the voice prominence. Correct some overpresent formants if necessary. Limit the spectral content to the prominent. Eventually correct or fake the microphone characteristic, if necessary. Compress it straight(absolutely necessary for dance tracks).
2. Make sure it is "perfectly" right in tune. Use Autotune or Pitchright with moderate amounts to correct wrong pitches and to much or even missing vibrato. Probably do the necessary micro surgical intervention. This does not mean to produce the "Cher" effect, but you have to take care to procduce right tuned, (straight) pitched vocals esp. on dance tracks.
Eventually correct wrong timing inside the vocals (very important).
3. Probably applay Exciter to give it the missing transparency and sparkle. But listen carefully to the "ss". Probably apply a decent De-Esser to compensate heavy artefarcts.
4. Place it into the right ambience (Reverb, Delay) but keep the "dry" amount nearly untuched. Eventually apply special effects like Tube saturators or Harmonic exciters or Harmonizers (decently and still expermentell).
DON'T use modulation effects like chorus or phasers to thicken anything (unless you want very special effects).
Take special care to the delay times and the stereo spread of the deleay. Always place the voice in the middle of the panorama.
Listen carefully to the result and compare it to commercial grade productions.
It probably takes most of your time for the entire arrangement. Keep the originals as long as possible if you use any destructive editing.
.
But mostly there are the following general rules for trance tracks:
1. Propper EQing and compression (if not already done while recording).
Filter out all the unnecessary frequency content (bass rumble and too much body) and give the voice prominence. Correct some overpresent formants if necessary. Limit the spectral content to the prominent. Eventually correct or fake the microphone characteristic, if necessary. Compress it straight(absolutely necessary for dance tracks).
2. Make sure it is "perfectly" right in tune. Use Autotune or Pitchright with moderate amounts to correct wrong pitches and to much or even missing vibrato. Probably do the necessary micro surgical intervention. This does not mean to produce the "Cher" effect, but you have to take care to procduce right tuned, (straight) pitched vocals esp. on dance tracks.
Eventually correct wrong timing inside the vocals (very important).
3. Probably applay Exciter to give it the missing transparency and sparkle. But listen carefully to the "ss". Probably apply a decent De-Esser to compensate heavy artefarcts.
4. Place it into the right ambience (Reverb, Delay) but keep the "dry" amount nearly untuched. Eventually apply special effects like Tube saturators or Harmonic exciters or Harmonizers (decently and still expermentell).
DON'T use modulation effects like chorus or phasers to thicken anything (unless you want very special effects).
Take special care to the delay times and the stereo spread of the deleay. Always place the voice in the middle of the panorama.
Listen carefully to the result and compare it to commercial grade productions.
It probably takes most of your time for the entire arrangement. Keep the originals as long as possible if you use any destructive editing.
.