Mixing vocals
Let's go through mixing vocals and work on this fairly homebrewn vocal recording that took some tactical moves here and there to make it sound more professional.
Letting you hear the processed / non-processed version and going thru all the plugins too.
Hope it helps!
Comments (14)
Hey Fanu! I'm a new patreon subscriber and i've been watching a few of your videos. I've seen often that you put the reverb on the insert of the vocal instead of using a send, does this work better in context most of the times as opposed to use a send with/without a compressor? I'd love to see a dedicated video on vocal reverbs/delays and creative fxs from songs that you've mixed/worked on. Cheers!
Technically and sound-wise there is no difference: it’s mostly a habit thing…for years I’ve handled it all on the same track.
One the best tutorial on vocals I have seen! Question! After I chagne the diynamics of the vocals with Gluffos, SplitS and Soothe, my compressor doesn't do much... Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Bcs I saw it in this video, that you compressor didn't do much as well? I don't need to tweak it to do smth?
A lot of times these days, I make desired vocal level changes with level automation and clip level changes (I use max 4 live ClipGain). So yeah I don’t do that much vocal compression per se anymore.
I have high hopes for Split S, just purchased after this video :) Pro-DS & Soothe have been my go to's but always felt a bit dull after you finally get the de-essing your after. Sonnox Supresser has been pretty good to sometimes too if these too can't get there
Manual gain work for sibilance, always, before the tools!
Really useful, in fact the best video I have ever seen on vocals. I get sent 'home-made' vocals quite a lot and have struggled with them for years. This all made so much sense. Thanks!!
Glad it helps :) There's often more to take into account, and some vocals can be more demanding, some less, but it's good to know the basics. Happy mixing!
Great video! Split S is doing the same as an de esser right?
It’s taking the bright parts down. This is what all de-essers aim to do (with varying results).
What mic do you use? It does sound great on the voiceover -- good for singers as well?
Blue Yeti X. It’s also USB (there’s also analog out) so that’s nice. Could work for vocalists.
Definitely helpful to hear your process. I record and process my own vocals and have dealt with those same problem areas in the low mids. Is there a benefit to reducing those areas using more of a tonal/musical EQ approach, vs using dynamic EQ or something like Pro MB? I've noticed it's easier to overdo it and remove too much with some of the dynamic options, so maybe that's part of it. I'm glad to hear you talk about the brightness aspect not being so apparent when taken in context, because I was wondering that same thing. I think if it sounds good in context, then it probably is good. 👍🏻
I use dynamic when there's some freqs that pop up too heavy now and then. Some static cuts are often fine. But for example if the singer is very dynamic and gets from very soft to very loud, it's the mids and high-mids that often blow up in the intense parts, and then, I set the dynamic EQ to the problem spot so only the loud parts exceed the threshold, resulting in cutting...so energy is kept in softer sections.