vocals and mastering?

ErikSL · November 29th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Some questions about mixing vocals:

How do you achieve the right "thickness"? Should you always layer them? What compression settings do you use? And do you compress during the takes, or in post?

Mastering:

Is there a good process to have the gain and mix quality equally balanced in different sources? I know you use steinberg software, do you know of any helpful VST plug ins?

Any advice would be great on those two aspects. Thanks

Mixerman · November 30th, 2009, 03:51 AM

During the backingvocals, I allways dub them. Sometimes I dub the lead, but thats not so commom in my productions. I realy like that the lead stand out without dubbing. I use compression during tracking, about 4:1, slow attack and relase.. Just to make sure that the convertor dont clip. During the mix, I can use 8:1 and faster attack and relase. I use 1176 compressor on the vocal. Sometimes the SSL bus compressor. I love the 1176!
I am not a mastring engineer, I send my mixes to people who are experts in mastering. If I do a mastering, I use a 2-1176 stereo-compressor, the ME loadness maximizer or a SSL bus compressor. I dont think steinberg have a "must have" compressor... I really like the waves SSL, API and the V-series plug-ins.

Børge

ErikSL · November 30th, 2009, 11:25 AM

thank you very much. very helpful.

Dom Ostarig · December 2nd, 2009, 08:21 AM

"SSL bus compressor" you mean that waves plugin??

Mixerman · December 9th, 2009, 04:19 PM

Both! But the Waves plug-in will give You 90%. No one will hear the different. Try to use it for the overheadtracks as well! Fast relase and attack.

Børge

Dom Ostarig · December 9th, 2009, 07:21 PM

Thank you for the tip!! I really love that compressor, but i never tried on OH tracks.

November 29th, 2009, 07:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
ErikSL groove junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 473	vocals and mastering? Some questions about mixing vocals: How do you achieve the right "thickness"? Should you always layer them? What compression settings do you use? And do you compress during the takes, or in post? Mastering: Is there a good process to have the gain and mix quality equally balanced in different sources? I know you use steinberg software, do you know of any helpful VST plug ins? Any advice would be great on those two aspects. Thanks __________________ .....

November 30th, 2009, 11:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
ErikSL groove junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 473	thank you very much. very helpful. __________________ .....

December 2nd, 2009, 08:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dom Ostarig Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 249	"SSL bus compressor" you mean that waves plugin?? __________________

December 9th, 2009, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dom Ostarig Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 249	Thank you for the tip!! I really love that compressor, but i never tried on OH tracks. __________________

November 30th, 2009, 03:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mixerman Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	During the backingvocals, I allways dub them. Sometimes I dub the lead, but thats not so commom in my productions. I realy like that the lead stand out without dubbing. I use compression during tracking, about 4:1, slow attack and relase.. Just to make sure that the convertor dont clip. During the mix, I can use 8:1 and faster attack and relase. I use 1176 compressor on the vocal. Sometimes the SSL bus compressor. I love the 1176! I am not a mastring engineer, I send my mixes to people who are experts in mastering. If I do a mastering, I use a 2-1176 stereo-compressor, the ME loadness maximizer or a SSL bus compressor. I dont think steinberg have a "must have" compressor... I really like the waves SSL, API and the V-series plug-ins. Børge

December 9th, 2009, 04:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mixerman Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	Both! But the Waves plug-in will give You 90%. No one will hear the different. Try to use it for the overheadtracks as well! Fast relase and attack. Børge