Warmer in ur Face Vocals

[anfmusic]

When I cut vocals, and I've cut them for some very well known artists, I run my vocals into an outboard compressor. I don't like using VST or DXI compressors when I am actually cutting the tracks. Those plugin compressors are nice to use in the Mixdown, not for cutting the initial tracks. The key settings on your compressor for vocals are:

Compression Ratio= 10:1

Threshold= When the vocalist is full voice (I don't mean the occasional peak, just when they are full voice into the song), you want the gain reduction meter averaging around -3dB. This will smooth the vocal out and make it sound more prominent and in your face.

Attack Time= Start out with a moderate setting and tweak it from there.

Release Time= Same goes for the release time, start out with a moderate setting and tweak it from there.

[jens]

Compression Ratio= 10:1

dude, that completely depends on several factors - there's no recipe - if you always use the same setting those 'well know artists' better shouldn't trust you too far - imho


great advice buying Antares tube for a start as well

[dharmawan]

depends on how much you have to blow, i would get a preamp/compressor. the good ones range from $600 upwards, if you decide on buying one i would test them out before making my decision

if you dont have money for that, on the software front voxengo's voxformer, $60, seems to do a great job

[jens]

yes, Voxformer is definetely to recommend

[M'Snah]

yes, Voxformer is definetely to recommend

I've downloaded it, but I guess my ears and speakers are just not good enough . But if you recommend it, I'll invest more time (and $$) in it.

Do you have GPP as well? Does it compare to that? or too different?

--HansM

[jens]

yes, Voxformer is definetely to recommend

I've downloaded it, but I guess my ears and speakers are just not good enough . But if you recommend it, I'll invest more time (and $$) in it.

Do you have GPP as well? Does it compare to that? or too different?

--HansM

nono - don't buy it if you don't like it

I don't have the GPP but the GCO-1 (have still to try the GPP) - sometimes I use the Voxformer for compression and sometimes the GCO-1 and sometimes still Blockfish or maybe even Sweetboy's T-Sledge (free multiband compressor/limiter)

The Voxformer however is much more than a simple compressor - I also has a nice distortion unit,
a second compressor, a four-band equalizer, a de-esser, a gate, etc. - you can do lots of things with it and it's (imo) easy to use considering it's complexity... - besides it's not only great for vocals but also for (especially acoustic) guitar, electric basses, etc.

If you're looking for a great commercial compressor I'd also recommend the Crunchessor.

Anyway: don't buy anything just because others pretend it's good! (after all: what do I know?)

edit:

here's the link for T-Sledge:

http://www.ismusic.ne.jp/sweetboy/T-SLEDGE/

[brianbrian]

Don't forget to consider Voxengo's Warmifier and AFTapeBus. Warmifier is pretty subtle, but can add some nice air and body. The latter adds lots of density and can get almost any material sounding "bigger".

If you get a UAD-1 card, there are several plugins that make the source sound huge and "in your face". Limiting with the LA-2A and then a 1176 @ 20:1 or "nuke" mode makes shit huge! Fairchild can substitute the 1176 too for a really nice thick sound, with some vintage tone.

[jens]

agreed on the TapeBus