Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Compression, important to keeping a consisitant level

reverb for depth

and enhancer for that extra sizzle...

dbii

	You'd probably get all the information you need from looking at older 
notes.  Try these on for size.

  2243  DYO780::SCHAFER      19-JAN-1990     7  Vocal Effects Processing - Howzit Done?
  2224   PUGGS::DESROCHERS    4-JAN-1990     6  Vocal Effects for Live PA System - What To Get
  1158  SIMUL8::RUDNICK      19-JAN-1988    55  Recommendation - How To Record Vocals
   452  BARTOK::ARNOLD        1-AUG-1986     4  Local Yokel seeks better Vocal

    In addition to the ones mentioned, a harmonizor and a delay 
    (used in stereo) can bring the vocals "out" a bit more.
    
    I'm not talking about using a harmonizer to add "harmonies".  I'm
    talking about various "doubling" effects:
    
    	o Delay: a slight delay (I think 85ms or so, I'm not real sure).
    	  You might want to slightly modulate the delay.  This is sorta
    	  like double-tracking.
    
    	o Harmonizer: a slight detuning panned to the opposite speaker.
    	  This creates a sort of doubling effect as well and can be
          use with the delay.
    
    I made some experiments on borrowed harmonizer and thought this
    worked real well.  It's especially handy if you like that
    double-tracked sound but either don't have enough stripes on
    your tape or your singing is not consistent enough to actually
    double.
    
    	db

    I've access to all the above except a compressor.  I know we've been
    over this before, but is this really *that* important?  Assuming I'm
    convinced, what's a good unit to acquire for, say, less than a couple
    hundred bux or so? 

+b

    It's funny but I think vocals sound more "realistic" without
    compression, but unfortunately that's not how we're used to hearing
    vocals on recorded music.
    
    Also, uncompressed vocals seemed to have so much "presence" (for lack
    of a better word) that usually seem too isolated and separated
    from the rest of the mix.  I.E. it doesn't really sound like it
    was recorded with the band.
    
    I've noticed that difference between various COMMUSIC submissions.
    
    What can I say?  I'm pretty sold on compressors and I was a tough
    sell.  I think part of it is that it isn't really an "effect".  It's
    not really an "enhancer" like a chorus.   It's sort of a recording tool
    and one reason why a lot of people may not get it is cause it's
    sorta hard to understand what it does and why you'd want to do that.
    
    Anyway, you should be able to get yourself a fine compressed in
    the $250-$350 range.  Below that, I'd be concerned with getting
    something that isn't very noisey.  This probably means avoiding
    cheap compressors that have lots of features.  A coule of the various
    "Micro" type compressors seem pretty good even if they don't give
    you extensive/fine control (Alesis MicroCompressor, Boss series
    etc.)
    
    

    
    
    Best Vocal effect I ever found was the one I used on commusic I which
    must be going back 4 years now. My how time passes when you're having
    fun. At the time everybody said that I sounded like Mark Knopfler which
    I guess is O.K. if you like said Sultan. As it is I just happened to
    be recovering from a severe cold and gave up trying to sing musically.
    
    Sort of a Cold Compress.. 
    
    If you see what I mean ! :-X

re: under $200

Alesis micro limiter

Necessary? If you want a reasonably clean noise free vocal track, yes, if you 
want vocal levels that are manageable, yes. If you want to limit the dynamic
range of vocals to something approaching that of the tape you're recording on
yes...

dbii

    
    Used Symetrix 501
    Used dbx 160
    
    Standard SR vocals, 25ms delay + touch of reverb
    
    CdH
    

    I've been out of this conference for over a year so my reply to this
    note is a bit late, but I figured I'd add my .02 for any future
    readers.
    
    I had an 8-track studio for a number of years and had all of the
    standard effects that would be normally used for recording vocal
    tracks. DBX Compressor/Limiter, digital delays, a harmonizer, graphic
    and parametric eq, reverb etc.
    
    But you want to know the one thing that made the most incredible
    difference in my vocal tracks?
    
    
    
    Voice lessons!!
    
    I had been singing for at least twenty years without the benefit of
    lessons and wasn't that bad, but the lessons and the vocal practice
    imposed by my teacher made my voice over completely. I learned to use
    range I never knew I had as well as modulate my voice better. I also
    learned that I had been writing songs in the wrong key for my voice
    for years. Once I started writing in the right key my voice took on a
    whole new presence of its own. Combine that with the strength and
    flexibility added through vocal practice and it was like discovering
    an instrumental capability I never knew I had.
    
    Adding the studio effects on top of the new voice was like icing on a
    great big cake!!! Anyone who really wants to improve their vocals
    should find a good teacher and take lessons for at least a year. You
    won't regret it!