How do I get a fatter vocal sound?
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Posted on Nov 08, 2008 06:44 pm
Chuck5000
Member Since: Nov 08, 2008
I'm trying to get some tips on getting a fatter or fuller sound on my lead vocals. One suggestion was to double the vocal track and pan one full left and the other full right, then put a slight delay on one of the tracks. I do mostly singer/songwriter stuff and some rock. Any other tips with reverb and other such studio magic would be appreciated.
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Nov 08, 2008 07:49 pm Those tricks are all good ones. The Beatles used double tracked vocals to establish the norm for their time. Reverb is good if used sparingly and tastefully applied.
It's best to remember that you don't need much effects or processing if you have a good sound to begin with. The best sound out of the speakers begins with the best sound coming in to the microphone. The better the input, the better the output, and yada yada yada.
End point: If you're a good singer/player, have decent equipment and know how to use it, you'll sound fine.
Otherwise, compress the shat out of your vocal, add 5 dB at 8 kHz and hope for the best :-)
Welcome to HRC, Chuck. Other opinions will follow.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Nov 08, 2008 08:24 pm I did that with 'wastin time' ( in my profile, under music)
She tracked one, then tracked another to see if it was better, so I put both on, and it was decent. male voice is only single.
The female's is 2 or 4 (can't remember now) with compression. Didn't need to delay. Panned them around, and EQ'd a little differently, i think.
I agree with all Herb said, get the sound as good as possible first, then capture it.
Also, my sister sang 'time in a bottle' (also in my profile/music). Her vox I used single track, but put a delay and reverb. plus compressed it some, to fatten it up.
Nov 08, 2008 08:55 pm Just a question from looking at your screen name and member since date.... is that you Chuck....you play for Afirma Terra right?
Nov 08, 2008 09:01 pm Thanks for the reply guys. I do my best to get as good as possible in, just sometimes in the mix the vocals sound a little thin compared to the rest of the music. I'll keep these suggestions in mind :)
Nov 08, 2008 09:04 pm Sorry Boe, I'm not the guy your thinking of.
Nov 08, 2008 09:24 pm pjk: "Wastin'Time" is one of my favorites. Good stuff. I've always had a soft spot for good folk/blues.
"I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow"........
Hm, I think I'll listen to that now.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 08, 2008 09:36 pm I'll just add another bit on the panning thing.
There are times as well that you won't really need to pan full left and right. Simply panning slightly left and right on the respective tracks can as well add a bigger sound with 2 separate tracks. And a slightly different EQ on each can help as well.
Nov 09, 2008 06:51 pm Parallel compression helps me some if you don't want a ridiculously wide vocal. Also, turning the tracks volume down and running it through a gain emulator is a kewl effect to fatten things up.
