What to look for when processing vocals?

[forsak3n]

I record vocals (female lead & male backing) for an electro track I've been working on. This is the first time I've recorded vocals. What should I look for when I'm putting them into the mix? Like EQing out sibilance and low end, is there any other things I should be looking out for to get the best possible sound?

[ehbes]

are you using a proper mic to record it? /is it a profession vocalist?

[forsak3n]

The engineer used a u87 and a ribbon mic (can't remember the name) with a pop filter. I printed both recordings of the different mics together.

[forsak3n]

I wouldn't say the singers are 'professional' singers but they have both been recording in bands for a while, so their singing is pretty accurate

[ehbes]

ok, the main thing i try to get is an even level, i.e. the singer can control their own volume but it sound like you should be good

[forsak3n]

Yeah, the levels are alright, I might chuck a slight compressor on there to level it out a bit. Thanks bud.

[ehbes]

All good.. Depending on what your style is but I like to take a vox drench it in reverb bounce it reverse it drench it again export that reimport into the original file and layer it under the clean vox

[forsak3n]

Nice idea. What does reversing it do though? Do you mean the reverb or the audio file you print?

[ehbes]

The audio file

[Shum]

ok, the main thing i try to get is an even level, i.e. the singer can control their own volume but it sound like you should be good

it can also be remarkably difficult getting singers to stand reasonably still i've found.

if your vocalist is a bit all over the place volume wise then compressing while recording can help. If you're a bit nervous with compression in general then split your mic signal onto two different tracks, one with compression and one without; it's good practice. compression during recording is an immensely useful skill to develop for vocal recording imo.

p.s. don't EQ low end out of vocals, just cause.

p.s.s.

I printed both recordings of the different mics together.

Why would you do this? Especially with a U87 as one of your mics.

[Sharmaji]

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... ith+vocals

[forsak3n]

p.s. don't EQ low end out of vocals, just cause.

Why not? Wouldn't is just add unnecessary noise to the low end?

p.s.s.

I printed both recordings of the different mics together.

Why would you do this? Especially with a U87 as one of your mics.

As I said I don't know what I'm doing when editing vocals. I just figured editing 1 vocal line rather than 2 of the same recording would be easier? is that a naughty no-no?

[forsak3n]

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... ith+vocals

Thanks buddy!

[Shum]

p.s. don't EQ low end out of vocals, just cause.

Why not? Wouldn't is just add unnecessary noise to the low end?

I just have a thing for the depth that lower vocal tones can provide. As for possible low frequency noise, you really shouldn't have to worry about such things in a studio environment.

p.s.s.

I printed both recordings of the different mics together.

Why would you do this? Especially with a U87 as one of your mics.

As I said I don't know what I'm doing when editing vocals. I just figured editing 1 vocal line rather than 2 of the same recording would be easier? is that a naughty no-no?

As a general studio rule of thumb making decisions that are difficult to undo should be made with some awareness of the consequences. Flexibility is a great thing to have in your sessions. Also, editing multiple tracks of audio in most DAWs really isn't much more labour compared to editing a single track.

[Krinj]

It's important that you think they sound good, overall. Other than that all your attentions should be on getting to that end result.