Vocals
Gentle Vocal Compression
Applying compression to vocals can use a mixture of hardware channel strips, like the Manly VoxBox, and onboard console dynamics. Dynamics include EQ and compression as tools to improve the vocal clarity, presence, and consistency in the mix. Tweaking your vocal compression ensures that lead and background vocals blend well with the full band. Key Points: The Manly VoxBox is used for the lead vocal and has various features including an integrated channel strip that provides preamp warmth, a de-esser for controlling sibilance, and compression for dynamic control. These features make the vocal sound rich and polished. Dynamic EQ helps sculpt the vocal EQ in response to performance. Trey specifically uses the DiGiCo Naga 6 which helps keep clarity without permanently changing the vocal tone. Adjust the attack, release, and ratio settings on your compressor to complement the vocal performance. Using the right settings should add character and sustain but keep the natural dynamics. The goal with background vocal should be to make them a consistent level. You should sculpt them to support the lead vocal without overshadowing it. Use balanced compression settings to clamp down to keep the mix steady while also keeping the life and energy of the background vocals. Once vocal compression is set, your next step is to blend the vocals with the compressed instruments. You should aim for a cohesive and dynamic mix where the vocals and instruments support each other.
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Final Touches for your Two-Mix
There is a delicate balance needed to finalize your mix. Trey explains the critical role of the subtle use of overall compression in addition to multi-band compression. These techniques unify and enhance the mix’s coherence. Key Points: Use a multi-band compressor and a little overall compression on the master bus. Doing this will help you gently glue the mix together. Be sure to use restraint to keep the mix’s range and character. Finely tuning a multi-band compressor focuses on the low and high bands to find the best settings. These settings should enhance the mix without removing its natural dynamics. Adjust the compressor to achieve a subtle, yet effective, impact. Add a compressor with a low ration for a final layer of cohesion in the mix. Less is more with compression, to preserve the mix’s integrity while providing a polished finish. Dynamic EQ on key instruments lets the lead vocal shine through in the mix. When you compress specific frequency bands, it keeps the mix balanced and clear. EQ, compression, and effects should change as your mix develops. Big changes aren’t always needed. Approach mixing with a careful, detail-focused approach to respect the mix’s complexity and the listener’s experience.
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Sweetening Your Vocals with EQ
Trey moves from dialing in the rest of the band to dialing in vocals. This includes Sarah’s voice and the BGVs. Trey uses a mix of hardware and console EQ for the best sound. He explores EQ settings, gain adjustments, and high-pass filters. He emphasizes the importance of ear-based adjustments over visual cues. These adjustments enhance vocal clarity and presence. In addition, the approach to background vocals shows the tailored EQ treatment based on their role in the mix. Key Points: Trey uses the Manley VoxBox on Sarah’s vocal for its coloration and saturation. It enhances the texture and warmth of her voice. Trey makes EQ adjustments to Sarah's vocal, using a simple but effective setup. It has a low peak, mid-dip, and high peak. He pairs this with the console's channel strip EQ. It gives him precise control and tonal shaping. High-pass filtering is crucial. It is needed for both the insert effect and the channel strip. It manages low-end feedback and keeps vocal clarity. Background singers get individual EQ attention. This highlights their harmony parts without hurting their overall contribution to the mix. Trey emphasizes the need to keep the frequencies that support their vocal parts. The process shows the importance of listening over visual EQ’ing. Trey encourages reliance on sound to make informed adjustments.
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Tuning Vocals with Plugins
Vocal tuning for Live applications is a useful tool to help us get our mixes and performances closer to that of recorded music. Vocalists are generally more pleased with their performances when we apply tuning, and it can help a tired vocalist at 8am hit those high notes! Jeff shows us how to use the Waves Tune Real-Time plugin, and best practices for a natural vocal.
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Thicken Vocals with a Doubler
Studio mixes frequently feature doubled vocals. Using this technique can help thicken the vocals and make them more prevalent in our mixes. Lee shows us how we can do this in a live scenario with the Waves ADT Plugin.
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Automixing with Plugins
Mixing a panel of speakers can be difficult because of feedback, mic bleed, and other issues. Automixing plugins give us an amazing tool that makes this easier than it's ever been. Jeff shows us how to use the Duggan Automixer from Waves in this video.