Plugin suggestions for vocals?
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Posted on Aug 26, 2012 03:17 pm
jehogan
Member Since: Aug 19, 2012
I'm hoping to learn enough to be of help, not just always asking, but for now I could use some help getting good vocals.
I have a shock mounted CAD condenser going straight into a Mackie 1640, and sometimes use a SM58.
Any plugin suggestions?
Thanks :^)
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J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Aug 26, 2012 06:51 pm Well, that all depends on what you are aiming for soundwise.
The way I look at it, plug-ins, be it compression, verb, delay, chorus, EQing, are tools used to fulfill a specific function, often times to make corrections, or fix problems. Other times for more of a flavor sorta thing.
So, without knowing where problems are, I can't really suggest which tool to use. But I can make some recommendations on general plugs in those categories. Personally, I like all of Bootsy's stuff over on varietyofsound. I also like the old Kjaerhus Classic Series of plugs, which can be hard to find now since he went out of business and took his original site down.
For verb, there are two I often use: M30 from TC Electronics which was free for a time, don't think it's still available, and Epic Verb from Bootsy's plug-ins. I also like the A.O.M. Invisible Limiter as a brickwall limiter.
Sometimes I'll use something like Camel Crusher to warm up the sound, or add a little punch. But that's more of a flavor sorta thing.
Of course all of those have applications besides vocals, heh.
I also operate on the principal of "less is more" so I try to avoid using a slew of plugins if I can help it. Rather, I try to focus on getting a good source sound, and then use plug-ins lightly to add air or warmth, or fix problems, and otherwise make sure everything sits well in the mix.
Aug 27, 2012 08:42 am A place to start, depending on the singer, would be to have a compressor/limiter before is every gets in to the computer...that may help prevent a lot of problems down the line.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Aug 27, 2012 01:58 pm What audio interface are you using? The first thing I would do is make sure your input chain is as transparent as possible. Like dB mentioned, a limiter of sorts to avoid clipping but that is all I would use for tracking.
Aug 27, 2012 05:57 pm I'm using Tracktion 3. I know Mackie gave up on it in '09, but I have it and understand it.
I mainly go direct with everything but vocals, so the plugins are important 'cause I don't have a lot of color going in... I'll run the bass through a bass squish pedal and the guitar through a BBE sonic maximizer.
Thanks again guys (and gals)... I really appreciate the help--you've given me a ton in a few posts.
Tim NUh, at least one more time . . .Member
Since: Feb 07, 2007
Aug 31, 2012 11:22 pm Have you thought about doing processing only in "post?" In other words, record stuff dry, and then process it. If you can get good non-processed recordings, it seems to me you've got something solid with which to work. I've heard tell about using compression and what-not to record vocals, but invariably the engineers using it are using some really high-end gear.
