Iron and Wine type vocals
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Posted on Feb 14, 2009 04:58 am
PeacefulBurnings
Member Since: Feb 15, 2008
Does anybody know what type of mixing technique is used on Sam Beams vocals from Iron and Wine? It sounds like they're double tracked, but they have and one of them has some filter or effect on it, or something.
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Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 14, 2009 08:07 pm There is no secret technique to what they do there. It is simply layers of vocals. Some at the same pitch, others as harmony to one another. There are also female voices used in parts of his songs. But Sam can reach vocally through a pretty wide range.
No filters on his voice either. That is all simply his singing or mic technique, sometimes down to a whisper.
Compare the two different version's of Boy with a Coin here. The first is the studio version with layers of vocals and the second is simply his lone voice live. You'll hear what I mean about layers if you listen very closely to this track as there are many layers of his own voice used here.
This is probably one of the best examples of what you are talking about. And personally one of my favorite I & W songs.
Feb 15, 2009 07:32 am Thanks man, one of my friends had told me that he used some type of effect on Acid Pro to achieve that same type of vocal, so I spent tons of time, after I borrowed his Acid Pro, trying to find how he did it. Then he showed me that track he was talking about and it sounded nothing like what I was talking about. I've been doing a lot of experimenting with my vocal tracks, kinda like that Elliott Smith sound. Thanks for the help.
Nick
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 17, 2009 03:50 pm Wow, somebody who name-drops both Sam Beam and Elliott Smith in one post! There are so many metalheads that hang out here, its nice to see somebody who even knows who Iron and Wine is!
I think that for both Sam and Elliott, their technique isn't all that complicated. You can retrack each vocal with the same mic and try to vary the EQ a bit from take to take, or even try different microphones for each take. Maybe a condensor for the lead vocal and a dynamic for the background vocals, or something along those lines.
But the natural differences in frequency response from simply singing in different registers would probably achieve most of the same effect.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 17, 2009 06:59 pm Tad, are you calling ME a metal head?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 18, 2009 09:50 am Well, you're part metal head. But your tastes are so diverse, I couldn't brand you as strictly a metal head. 1/5 metal head maybe? A metal mutt? :-D
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 18, 2009 09:57 pm A metal chiwawa?
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Feb 19, 2009 11:06 am LOL I think that might be the name of my next album. Look out world, get ready for the raw power of "Heavy Metal Chihuahua"!
...thanks to Merriam-Webster for the correct spelling of Chihuahua :-D
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Feb 19, 2009 07:16 pm Ya, Firefox underlined it that it was wrong but I just clicked anyway. I figured it would add to the fun of it.
I like your thought on the name as well. You have my blessings should you decide to use it.
