Keyemup
Newbie
Joined: 19 Jan 2007
Posts: 8
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| Vocal compression |
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Hey!I just joined and I got alot of good advice so far.So hopefully someone could answer this for me.I'm a gospel producer and I'm having a problem getting the vocals to blend tight so I don't have any voices sticking out in my mix.I know to use compression but it still not sounding "Industry" to me!Help me out please!  |
Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:31 am |
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bkkornaker
Eager Beaver
Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 14
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do you mean vocal (one voice) or vocals ( a whole choir)? if its just once voice like a solo singer, thats easy.......
but if its a whole chior, or multiple singers....it can be tricky.......
how many vocal tracks are there? |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:34 pm |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| Staged Compression |
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Hi keyemup,
im gonna tell you about one of my favourite techniques for vocal compression (which i will also be covering in an upcoming podcast) that i find very effective on vocals with "wild" dynamics.
I call it staged compression but call it what you like. i use it in the analogue domain but you can easily replicate it using plugins in your DAW.
Start with a dual compressor, be it two mono comps or one stereo. take an insert send or direct out. also try it with an aux send, this works well. into the input of your first compressor. set a ratio of around 4 to 6:1 and a threshold of around 0db (although this will vary with the output level, which is why i suggest using an auxilliary send to allow you to drive the compressor a bit harder) so you are looking to get a few db of gain reduction on the loudest parts of your signal. if your compressor has an auto attack/release option use it, if not set a fastish attack and relaxed release. now take the output of this compressor into the input of your next compressor.
On this compressor set a lower threshold, -6/8db works well. with a low ratio around 1.5 to 2:1 and the same attack/release settings as earlier. then bring the output of this compressor either back into the insert return if you are using inserts, or as i prefer, bring it back into another channel.
So the way this works:
when your vocal is below 0db it will be ignored by the first compressor, which is fine. but if its above -6 it will be caught and tamed slightly by the second compressor. if the signal is a bit louder it will be reduced a bit by the first compressor and very slightly by the second. if you get a really loud peak for whatever reason both compressors will be applying significant gain reduction. and as ratios combine, if say u had 5:1 on first comp and 2:1 on the second, this would result in 10:1 compression. and as we know this is basically the same as limiting. as you see this gives very flexible control of the dynamic of the vocal, while remaining transparent. so give it a go and let us know how you get in.
hope that makes sense to you
-Paul
_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer. |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:46 pm |
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Keyemup
Newbie
Joined: 19 Jan 2007
Posts: 8
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Yea your right!1Vocal is easy but its a group.There is about 6 people in my group.help me out doc! |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:04 pm |
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Keyemup
Newbie
Joined: 19 Jan 2007
Posts: 8
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Hey Paul thanks!It does make sense.I never compressed going in because i wanted to get the best signal flow as i could.but 1 compression wasnt good enuff.I will try that and get back with you with an update. |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 6:10 pm |
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LilBuddy
Engineer
Joined: 17 Nov 2006
Posts: 49
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great tips...i'll definitely try this with my vocals.
quick question...now are these 2 compressors placed on the original signal coming in, or after the signal is already recorded?
yep yep |
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Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:55 pm |
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conquistadore
Forum Moderator
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 513
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| Post recording |
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quote:
Originally posted by LilBuddy
great tips...i'll definitely try this with my vocals.
quick question...now are these 2 compressors placed on the original signal coming in, or after the signal is already recorded?
yep yep
It would be better if its done after the signal is recorded, since you would have better control and can spend some time setting it right. If you are recording in a digital system make sure its a 24 bit system and apply just enough gain to leave enough head room and also retain clarity.
Nice technique Paul. Creative chap!  |
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Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:50 am |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| Pre or Post Tape |
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its very dependent on confidence, ive used it both going to tape and post tape. if i was physically using analogue tape i would certainly use it pre-tape. however if its a 24bit system as varun says, you may as well compress post tape as you have so much headroom in a decent setup.
P.s. if you will be mixing in a DAW, i would prefer to either compress while going in or loop out of your soundcard through analogue compressors. its just much easier easier to do and produces better sounding results in the analogue domain imo. (it also lets u drive the compressors harder)
_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer. |
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Sun Jan 21, 2007 6:45 pm |
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Mary89
Newbie
Joined: 29 Jun 2006
Posts: 6
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| Re: Vocal compression |
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quote:
Originally posted by Keyemup
Hey!I just joined and I got alot of good advice so far.So hopefully someone could answer this for me.I'm a gospel producer and I'm having a problem getting the vocals to blend tight so I don't have any voices sticking out in my mix.I know to use compression but it still not sounding "Industry" to me!Help me out please!
Completely removing the vocals from the song or mix is not possible. Try out doing it with audio editing software. Suggests FlexiMusic Wave Editor. In this software using either “Band Pass/ Stop Filter or channel mix” command you can eliminate the vocals to some extend.
http://www.fleximusic.com/waveditor/overview.htm
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Mon Feb 05, 2007 4:04 am |
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