Recording effects/techniques (hip-hop)
Home > Home Recording Forum > Recording Techniques > Recording effects/techniques (hip-hop)
Posted on Mar 08, 2006 08:34 pm
croccrip
Member Since: Feb 28, 2006
whats up?
Well i finnaly got my mic (MXL2006) and my booth set up. Everything is in running order ready to record. I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions or techniques on making the tracks "stand out" or sound more "professional" using effects and/or backup's. I use Adobe Audition 1.5 for my vocal recording/mastering. Sometimes Acid Pro 4.0 for adding sound effects and so on. Im open to any input... I'm not sure how many ppl on here know about hip-hop but just thought i would ask... Thanks
[ Back to Top ]
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 08, 2006 10:34 pm The best advice I can give to start with is a natural effect. But the vocalist is going to need to have his flo down pat. Doubling the track is the best natural effect you can do for them. I just finished recording a few hip hop tracks this weekend and the guy was absolutely perfect at doing this.
A little variance is OK, but for the most part the second vocal take should be as close time wise as possible. But you will be surprised by the effect when you pan the track proper.
For FX you might use on the track itself, Chorus is a big one for thickening the vocal parts as well. And just a touch of reverb. But giving each track its own space is important, so try some experiments with panning and such.
Mar 09, 2006 12:51 pm thanks.. I am also a hip hop artist so i will experiement with my tracks too...
Mar 09, 2006 04:13 pm Just for the record, though it may seem obvious, the best way to get a good sound in the final product is to get a good sound recorded in the first place. Don't just hustle thru recording thinking you'll fix it with EQ or whatever later, take your time and get the best initial track recorded possible...
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Mar 09, 2006 05:54 pm When you record, make sure you don't clip. Like Noize said, do your overdubs/backups. Don't do every word, but emphasize certain words (usually at the end of a phrase). Maybe do every word for the hooks... Once your vocals are recorded, you should compress your vocals, and eq them. To start with the eq, cut under 80Hz, not all the way, but just a couple dbs (experiment! The right amount will depend on how loud you recorded your vocals). Also, you may want to boost your vocals somewhere between about 1.2KHz - 2KHz. Also you may want to run a de-esser on your vocals to get rid of too much sibilance that may have been recorded (I still have trouble finding the right settings on the de-essers). A trick I like to do also is eq the back up vocals slightly higher (in the eq spectrum) than I eq the main verse vocals. A touch (and I mean a touch) of reverb usually helps give the vocals some presence. Experiment with chorus and/or delay to see if those effects help you reach the sound you're after. I use them sometimes.
And lastly but probably most importantly, don't come weak on the mic. Over exaggeration is not necessarily a bad thing. You need to work extra hard so the listener can feel what you're saying. Remember the listener can't pick up on the non verbal communcation that normally happens when you try to express ideas to someone. So it has to come across in your voice even more, to give it that same effect. You can hear some of my stuff at www.soundclick.com/monkeyvsrobotmanvsmachine if you want to hear what I've been able to accomplish in my bedroom studio.
Noize, I'd love to hear any hip hop you recorded at your place once you get it mixed (assuming your mixing)...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 09, 2006 09:25 pm coolo, yep I am mixing as well. Producing the whole thing as well. They came up with the idea of BorderFlo Records so I may actually make a little forray into this. I needed something to get the creativity flowing again here and these kids were jsut what I needed.
I will post a link here as well as start a new thread for it. I am kind of excited about it as it really went off well. The tracks came out almost perfect with no FX on them at all. I think I'll put em up dry to test the water a bit. I used the infamous double miccing that has worked so well for me in the past. And it really thickened up the takes.
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Mar 10, 2006 12:32 am hmm, double micing eh? wanna share what mics you used. Sounds like an intriguing idea. But I'd need to get another mic stand... pondering...
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 10, 2006 06:28 pm Sharing is what I do best.
Front mic was the Oktava MK-319, the older real Russian model with the capsule wiring mod. Back mic was and Audio Technica AT3035. Placement for this one was about 3 feet back and approx. 1 foot above the Oktava. You will need to make sure it is pointed directly at the other mic as well. Keeping it that close should avoid any phase issues as well. But it is best to check just in case. You can go for more space as well depending on the effect you want to achieve.
I've done this with the mic off to the side as well and it works pretty good, just not as direct of a sound. And you''ll need more gain which depending on the room could add some noise. So straight on has always been my best bet.
You know the drill though, the more distance the more delay, even if it is slight it will be noticed when you go to mixxing.
In this case it was more for a tiny bit of fullness, as the doubled tracks made for a great sound on their own. But knowing what they wanted I needed just that little bit of an edge.
Anyway, I will try and post up the tracks tonight. I'll put nottice here and a new thread as well. I just need to convert em to mp3 and then get em uploaded.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 10, 2006 11:11 pm OK, coolo and whomever. Here is an example of a completely dry vocal track using the doubled take and 2 mics. There are no effects on this or editing at all. Simple panning only was used to achieve what you hear so far. And oh ya, I hate mp3's. They just sucked the kick butt bottom end right out of these tracks.
And excuse the typo on the first one, it should read BorderFreestyle.
Slight Parental Advisory on this first one.
www.pigpenstudio.com/files/BorederFreestyle.mp3
www.pigpenstudio.com/files/CantUnderstandUs.mp3
