Double Tracking Vocals???

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Member Since: Feb 11, 2005

Ok, Someone told me recently that the the only singers who double track their vocals were those that were not good singers. Is this true? I don't think it is, but this person had a pretty strong opinion about it. I double track my vocals all the time, and I always get the same response. "It sounds like there are two singers instead of one lead vocalist". My last question is, what is the best method for double tracking vocals so they sound like a lead singer instead of a choir? I tend to think that single tracking them makes it sound thin.

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Learning
Member
Since: Mar 19, 2005


Mar 23, 2005 04:15 pm

Ye i have double tracked vocals a lot.
It just adds a little spice in my opinion. What i tend to do is make the second track ever so slightly different in that i will over pronounce some words and then mix this track back and to one side.
It gives the dude listening in headphones a ride.

If it sounds good for you then keep doing it man.

Dave Grohl does it on just about every song and he is ok. ;)

Freeleance Producer/Engineer/Gtr
Member
Since: Aug 11, 2002


Mar 23, 2005 04:17 pm

People double track vocals all the time, of course it depends on what they are going for...

Try keeping the double down in volume enough so that it just supports the main vocal. and if you think you vocal track is too thin, try eq'ing it or adding a little delay to thicken it up... you might consider a different mic if you don't think the one you use sounds good for vox.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Mar 23, 2005 04:40 pm

yeah that's like sayin' anyone who uses effects on guitars can't play well....

silly

Member
Since: Feb 11, 2005


Mar 23, 2005 04:47 pm

Thanks guys. I feel better about it now. wyd, what
a profound point you make indeed! I agree! So, should I bring the volume down on one of those vocal tracks so it just supports the other one? That actually crossed my mind, but I haven't done it enough really.

Bohemian
Member
Since: May 04, 2003


Mar 23, 2005 05:14 pm

yeah that's like sayin' anyone who uses effects on guitars can't play well....

that's different... it isn't about effects...
try Double tracking a Guitar solo you just nailed and match it as much as you can... It's a pain... same goes for bass and drums...

when you double track rhytm guitars it sounds awsome...
I never double track my lead vocals unless I want it to be some effect like thing... My backings... oohhh don't get me started I go ALLL out on my backings Sometimes I can have like 24 tracks for my backing vocals alone... sometimes as much as just 1 ...

But IMO... the LEAD vocals should be just ONE take... and in a song, sure you can double track the lead vocals at times to make it look cool and stuff...

but I never like a complete lead vocal double tracked... ( I could like it when it's ONE song on a complete album or something but not 13 songs on the album with all double tracked lead vocals..) Like effects... I think it should be used in all modesty

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Mar 23, 2005 05:30 pm

good points presley, i agree.

Bohemian
Member
Since: May 04, 2003


Mar 23, 2005 05:44 pm

thx wyd


[quote]
Mar 23, 2005 04:07 pm

Ok, Someone told me recently that the the only singers who double track their vocals were those that were not good singers. Is this true? I don't think it is, but this person had a pretty strong opinion about it. I double track my vocals all the time, and I always get the same response. "It sounds like there are two singers instead of one lead vocalist". My last question is, what is the best method for double tracking vocals so they sound like a lead singer instead of a choir? I tend to think that single tracking them makes it sound thin.[/quote]

Well, Freddie Mercury double tracked vocals, Steven Tyler... as well.. I could go on and on... The key to make it sound like a LEAD vocal is to make it TIGHT... sing as spot on as you can... for example you have this sentence (jackson 5 )

A B C easy as ONE TWO THREE simple as DO RE MI

now when you would double track this.. make sure you don't do this

A B CEEE easy as ONE TWO TREEEEE simple as DO RE MIII

but make those last words SHORT and tight... keep it clean ... it's all about K.I.S.S.

KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!! ;-)

Member
Since: Feb 11, 2005


Mar 23, 2005 06:01 pm

that's true presley. I guess it's all up to individual preference. My point is, saying that people who double track a vocal can't sing is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You can't make a bad vocal track better by doubling it. Maybe I'm way off base with that statement, but I don't know. Thoughts...?

Member
Since: Feb 11, 2005


Mar 23, 2005 06:02 pm

Excellent points presley! Thanks for all the help on this. You guys are awesome.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Mar 23, 2005 06:05 pm

I double track all of my vocals, and depending on the song it's either very noticable, or I have the double so low in the track it's barely noticable. Sometimes I try and do them as tight as possible other times I do them loosley so the effect will be that much more prominent. Overall I'd say there are very few commercial recordings out there with out doubled vocals especially if they aren't heavily effected.

Dan

punk rock @$$hole
Member
Since: Feb 29, 2004


Mar 23, 2005 06:59 pm

vocals - id rather double mic than double track. unless doing backups or adding effects.

guitars - depend on the song and the player. just about always double mic. sometimes i use both in the mix sometimes i dont.

drums - never, although one of these days I'm gonna record with no cymbals and then overdub them later.

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