Mixing Vocals with The Beat.?

[J-malice]

is it just me, or is putting the vocals on to tracks the hardest part. I think its because i produce myself that i the vocals are the hardest part. alot of times i think that the vocals arent loud enough and im going to loose the feel because other cant hear what im saying clearly, so when i turn it up they seem too loud. it seems like i can neva find the perfect levels for vocals.

does anyone have any tips for vocal levels? even if its technical dealin with the dynamic range.

o yea and also, you know how when you puttin down vocals some parts are louder then others because the artist tries to put feelin and expression into it.

is there something you should do to the vocals to make them about even to take away the loud parts. (im not talkin about distortion or anything like that) im just askin if somethin should be done about it like...puttin a compressor effect on the vocal track, or some other effect that i dont know about which evens out the vocal's dynamics.

 

[WingsOfAnAngel]

:laugh: i think i can help you with that.

1. 20 TIPS ON MIXING - http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun98/articles/20tips.html

2. Tips and Tricks on Getting the Best Mix - http://www.digido.com/index/pmodule_id=11/pmdmode=fullscreen/pageadder_page_id=119/

3. Ten Tips for Nailing a Mix - http://emusician.com/ar/emusic_ten_tips_nailing/

i hope that you will find what you're looking for.
good luck!

 

[J-malice]

you already know what im gonna say.

 

[WingsOfAnAngel]

glad i could help :smokin:

 

[Gaz]

rapmusic.com used to have a nice little basic vocal mixing tutorial for cool edit if your using that check it, its o ntheir somewhere

 

[Architect]

To help keep the vocal tracks even as far as phrases being louder than others, use normalization but only to the section of the vocals which need to be either louder or softer to help even it out. Use some compression but mildy just to bring the vocals up front of the mix, but not overbearing and loud, you want every part of your mix to stand out. You may have to shift certain frequencies out of your way for instance if the vocals are bass heavy they may clash with the midrange or lower range instruments, that's where panning can come into play. You want every instrument to have its own space in the mix, and to be clearly heard. Limiters can also help to even out the vocal track to a certain level, but learn how to use them or else you can trash your mix.

 

[eka]

EQ is also a very important instrument.
I also use a little bit of reverb on vocals, but so little that you can hardly hear it and it has to be a very good verb like tc native or steinberg (that is if you are using software) it gives the voice more warmth.

 

[light]

you can also use an automated mix. this means that you can slide your mixer fader up and down gradually as your song plays to compensate for the loud and softer parts. then when you play back your song it will remember those movements

 

[J-malice]

Originally posted by Architect
To help keep the vocal tracks even as far as phrases being louder than others, use normalization but only to the section of the vocals which need to be either louder or softer to help even it out. Use some compression but mildy just to bring the vocals up front of the mix, but not overbearing and loud, you want every part of your mix to stand out. You may have to shift certain frequencies out of your way for instance if the vocals are bass heavy they may clash with the midrange or lower range instruments, that's where panning can come into play. You want every instrument to have its own space in the mix, and to be clearly heard. Limiters can also help to even out the vocal track to a certain level, but learn how to use them or else you can trash your mix.

thanks big time. i forgot all about that. given everything its own space would apply to makin the beat also wouldnt it? im feelin that advice tho.

 

[Architect]

Anytime J.