KVR Audio

Gewan · Post by **Gewan** » Wed Jul 22, 2026 2:21 pm

^ that

TechHaus · Post by **TechHaus** » Wed Jul 22, 2026 2:27 pm

Definitely singer first, but if we're doing mix tricks, try an upwards compressor like this MV2 clone viewtopic.php?t=631543 or maybe try uhbik's compressor.

cryophonik · Post by **cryophonik** » Wed Jul 22, 2026 2:32 pm

EyeCloud wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2026 1:34 am There’s no trick to it - there are time-tested methods to achieve it.

Close-miking is one way, but you need a good pop filter to avoid the plosives. However, it’s possible to clean up plosives to some extent with software…

Then there’s picking the right key for the timbre of your voice. Keeping to chest voice as much as possible will certainly give you a fuller sound.

Also, use your ears to EQ rather than trust software. Make the right space in your mix so you can high and low cut the vocal (and do some surgical notching) to sit comfortably in the mix without losing any fullness.

Nice tips, EyeCloud! These are the techniques I use, particularly the close mic’ing one. Also, don’t forget compression/leveling. My go-to vocal recording chain uses two stages of compression, one being an 1176-style and the other an LA-style when I want added thickness. There’s also the (not-so) secret sauce called Waves RenVox that makes it dead simple to get obese vocals.

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Wed Jul 22, 2026 3:44 pm

I don’t know if anyone’s mentioned this yet but an arrangement that leaves room for a vocal makes a big difference.

EyeCloud · Post by **EyeCloud** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 4:05 am

whyterabbyt wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2026 1:31 pm use a thick lead vocalist.

Like Britney Spears or Kanye West?

TechHaus · Post by **TechHaus** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 4:57 am

EyeCloud wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 4:05 am
whyterabbyt wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2026 1:31 pm use a thick lead vocalist.
Like Britney Spears or Kanye West?

Didn't know you swung both ways like that, eye. They both got a little junk in the trunk, i guess. You do you.

havran · Post by **havran** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 5:12 am

whyterabbyt wrote: Wed Jul 22, 2026 1:31 pm use a thick lead vocalist.

Once or twice I thought of posting something like that, but didn't.

Interesting for the sake of calibration, though!

Seafire Mk2 · Post by **Seafire Mk2** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 5:42 am

2 takes, hard pan L + R

Ciderwell · Post by **Ciderwell** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 7:55 am

Seafire Mk2 wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 5:42 am 2 takes, hard pan L + R

...into a flanger, like Zappa in 'Mudd Club'.

Dedicated to all those crazzies down in the basement playing the '3 word' and 'lyrics' sentence games.

There's an idea for a song in there somewhere.

wagtunes · Post by **wagtunes** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 4:15 pm

Thank you all for the replies. Seems there's a lot of things I can try. Much appreciated.

ghettosynth · Post by **ghettosynth** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 4:39 pm

I don't know what your budget is, but, these girls might be in your range.

digitalboytn · Post by **digitalboytn** » Thu Jul 23, 2026 6:21 pm

ghettosynth wrote: Thu Jul 23, 2026 4:39 pm I don't know what your budget is, but, these girls might be in your range.

What's Your Trick For Creating Thick Lead Vocals?