what after recording (acoustic and vocals) ?

> > > what after recording (acoustic and vocals) ?

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Member Since: Dec 23, 2006

first of all, thumbs up for the forum ;)

so I'm planning to do album for myself.. just out of fun :)
it'd be acoustic guitar, vocals... maaaybe some solo on electric.
so what is the procedure after recording these tracks... i'm working with adobe audition 2.0 btw.
what I do for electric is: normalize track, then applying some compression and eq and reverb for which I made preset in ozone 3. it sounds quite fine... now what about vocals? what vst effects do you recommend?
so all I need to know some order of applying effects, compression, stereo image etc. what would you do, what have I forgot?

thanks a bunch!

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Member
Since: Jul 31, 2006

Dec 23, 2006 04:59 pm

in my opinion. the less effects you can do on vocals is the best. music now a days theres soo much.. compression/reverb and other effects it kinda ruins the art of music. because when u see them play life they suck.

but. little touches of reverb and some doubles to increase the harmony of the song will stand out alot.

i always double the chorus, in the songs higher note.

but lets see what others tend to say

Cone Poker
Member
Since: Apr 07, 2002

Dec 23, 2006 05:25 pm

I always run compression before going intot he computer. Always. Aside from that I don't really think there is a set order of what effects go where in the chain. I'm a fan of just trying stuff and seeing how it works.

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006

Dec 23, 2006 07:31 pm

I'm with m4ca on the effects. To me, effects are like makeup on a woman. I think the best job is done when it looks (or sounds) like you didn't apply any. I'm a big fan of a little carefully applied stereo plate when I record my wife's vocals. And instead of compression, I go through the vocal file and selectively boost the quiet passages. It's a pain, but it sounds more natural to me.

Geez, I must be anal.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Dec 23, 2006 11:22 pm

When I mixed a song of my sister's, I added light software compression, to fatten, then a slight delay, and a little reverb.

I compressed the mixdown as well, which added a little more, but not much.

Time in a bottle, in my music gallery, is the song. You can hear a little of the effects mentioned.

I like herb's analogy, you want it to seem like there's nothing added, just a real good recording.

(and the woman analogy is pretty good too)

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 23, 2006 11:33 pm

Hey there, welcome to HRC.

For me acoustic material is done with a little less as far as effects go. Compression and a pinch of reverb is usually all that is needed. A nice small reverb usually unless you are looking for a little more outlandish effect of course.

A lot depends on the room you are recording in as well. If it a very dead room then a bigger reverb might be needed. But vocals will benefit the most from the compresion, as will and electric guitar.

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2006

Dec 25, 2006 05:19 am

ok thanks a bunch people!
I thought its a matter of personal taste and trying out things, seems like it is :)

Czar of Turd Polish
Member
Since: Jun 20, 2006

Dec 25, 2006 02:28 pm

Vox, I like a little compression and just a touch of reverb. I used to be a little reverb heavy but have started to lay off a bit.

Ozone 3 is pretty cool, but I've found myself liking the tone of my mixes without it once I get it on a care stereo or the likes.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

Dec 25, 2006 08:45 pm

This is how I've come to treat vocal recordings... not sure if it's altogether correct, but...

Record and then rerecord the vocal part(s) . Then within each channel... manipulate the dynamics(using EQ or slight multiband compression) so that they play well together . Then panning... give it a quick mix and check the changes made already . Assign a sub/aux for the reverb/fx . Record any automation . Sometimes I'll set up a sub for a set of the tracks to allow diverisfied manipulation of the dynamics or eqing of the reverb/fx for just that group . Mix with the rest of the tracks to taste .


Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006

Dec 25, 2006 11:15 pm

Good advice, Hue.

Also, I think if you apply compression and effects to a specific track, it should be done in that order. Reverb / delay after compression can sound great, but compression after reverb / delay can sound completely wrong. Of course, it depends on the effect you're trying to achieve.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003

Dec 27, 2006 03:14 pm

for rap vocals, i almost always do the following, in this order (this comes after a lot of trial and error with lots of different effects in lots of different order): compress, eq, de-ess, reverb.

If i'm looking for a different effect i might throw on a multitap delay or put the reverb before the compression.

For singing, i pretty much do the same thing, but will try more other effects depending on what sound i'm going for. If you want to hear the reverb trail more, and give it a more drawn out/spacey effect, reverb/delay before the compression is a good route to go, but you will have to play with the release.

EQ-wise for most vocals, try cutting everything below 80Hz a couple dbs. I also find a slight boost somewhere between 1Khz and 2KHz will give it a nice presence.

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

Dec 27, 2006 04:36 pm

Another tweak-point not to overlook is the predelay on your vocals reverb . Depending on your vocal style and content, this adjustment can make or break the mariage of your chosen vocal-verb with the rest of the material . It's really something you have to listen to to tweak... presets do not apply .

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2006

Dec 28, 2006 05:19 pm

so, this is what I did.. just a small cover, I know I'm not the greatest singer nor player, but I'd like to hear thoughts on production. something very simple - www.box.net/public/06sxqhde1z

Pinnipedal Czar (: 3=
Member
Since: Apr 11, 2004

Dec 28, 2006 06:32 pm

Sounds like a good start to me . Solid .

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 28, 2006 10:40 pm

goran, sounds like a nice simple capture of the sound. Very straight forward. I like the sound of the guitar, did you mic an amp or plug in direct? May I ask as well what the guitar was you played, it sounds very full and has a nice bottom end to it. If you used an amp may I ask what amp you used as well?

I hear a slight accent as well, that might just be me though.

Are you planning on doing any more with the song, or keeping the nice simple guitar/vocal type sound? If so, a small bit of reverb on the vocal would blend it in well with the tone of the guitar.

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2006

Dec 29, 2006 06:32 am

yeah thanks, I think its ok for the equipment :)

I mic'ed an amp with wharfedale pro 3.0, guitar is fender strat japanese '88, amp is Laney lc15r upgraded with jensen speaker and with JJ Tesla tubes. the guy from my country, so I'm from Croatia, thats why you hear an accent ;)

I'm not planning to do anything more with the song.. actually the original has even less reverb and no chorus effect on guitar. so I think this is enough.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 29, 2006 07:37 pm

goran, I think it is actually fine as is also. The reverb is just a side thought. But indeed, I like the nicely place sound. And the Laney does sound so warm with that fender, although I would not have pegged it for a strat by the thick sound of it.

Can't wait to hear more from you as well.

Croatia indeed, I thought I heard a bit of an accent but couldn't quite place it. Your english is very good while singing and the accent is hard to hear.

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2006

Dec 30, 2006 10:51 am

thanks man for everything ;)

now, I have uploaded one small wav file of my acoustic. its not processed, I only used some normalization, nothing else. I think the sound sucks comparing to live sound, its yamaha fg150 from 6oies. I think the mic sucks for that purpose but I wanted to ask you what would you do with it? i just dont know how to get that nice crispy sound.
if anyone's willing to try to process the file, just to see how you would do it and upload it..
maybe is a bit stupid proposal but I'm curious if there's anything useful and decent that you can get out of this track.
here's the file www.box.net/public/ayn0iay0am

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 30, 2006 07:38 pm

goran, I'm just finishing some stuff for a client. Prbably will take the rest of the evening. But I will give it a listen and maybe pop it on the studio PC and give it a tweak or two and let you know exactly what I did.

I don't have AA 2.0 but I will have a look at their pluggin list and see if I can use anything close to what they have so you can try and duplicate it with the software you have.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 30, 2006 08:11 pm

goran, I had a quick listen before I finish what I am doing. That doesn't sound half bad really. May I ask what microphone you used on that?

Also, it didn't dawn on me until just now. Do you realized that Yamaha FG-150 you have there is a very famous guitar? That is the model of the guitar they tossed on the sort of famous Country Joe McDonald to have him fill in after Richie Havens at Woodstock. They just tied a rope on it and shoved him out there. And it was an add lib perfromance of what would be called the Fish Call as an intro to his protest song against Veitnam war called Fixin to Die Rag. Don't part with that guitar as someday it will be worth some money, more then it is now.

Anyway, just thought I would toss that out there.

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2006

Dec 31, 2006 07:42 am

hehe yeah I know noize2u. ah how many times I watched the clip on youtube I even cant remember :D great story about that guitar :)
I was looking for some cheap small sized acoustic (this seems to be a copy of martin 000-15 in size) and found it on ebay and bought it for just $120
so about month ago I did some upgrade. bought some tusq parts (pins and saddle), sanded the saddle and pins as they didnt fit good and now it sounds much better. tusq is used in martin guitars so maybe some of you might consider about buying and upgrading your acoustic.
the guitar is great but it just isnt for fingerpicking, the lack of space between the strings is there.

btw I used that same Wharfedale pro 3.0 mic as its the only thing I got :)
I'm thinking about buying some condenser as soon as I save some money. but my problem is that my m-audio interface isnt phantom powered so I'd probably have to buy some that is powered on 9v batteries. or maybe buying phantom power.. we'll see.
hey let me know how you progress about processing that track, I'd appreciate it..

btw. this is a part of my song, I just did some test on acoustic, had some tweaking in ozone3, something with antares mic modeler and here's what I got -> www.box.net/public/absehguyqu

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 31, 2006 12:59 pm

I honestly kind of like the sound you are getting with the Wharfedale. Granted you can always get a better mic to improve the sound. It will come with time. And indeed finding one that is self powered which many are these days will help and be cheaper for you. I'll have a listen tomorrow when we return home.

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2006

Jan 02, 2007 05:42 am

cheers and thanks ;)

Member
Since: Dec 23, 2006

Jan 04, 2007 05:29 am

dont want to bring up a new topic so I'll just post it here
www.box.net/public/3timc30dj3

its Cat Stevens cover (How can I tell you). a bit of love song damn, haha
there are some guitar buzzing, one "pop" with voice and such things. other that that, is it at least ok? any advice?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Jan 04, 2007 06:32 pm

Nice, very nice indeed. I like the vocal capture, natural and straight sounding. The guitar as well is well captured. You are getting a nice feeling of a small live space in the recordings. My only comment would be to possibly add the very smallest boost in the low mids for the guitar sound. It is not an absolute need though as the mp3 may be causing a little loss of the lower end when I'm listening.

I will get to the other guitar pieces and give you some comments on those in a day or two. I've gotten a little overloaded with work the last couple of days.

> > > what after recording (acoustic and vocals) ?

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