[lb9000j]

Originally Posted by bgrotto

how about instead of ****ing around with compression and eq settings, you try moving the mic around a few inches? Or move the performer? Or try a different room? Once you've got that nailed, eq and compression will simply enhance an already great-sounding track, plus you won't have to use as much.

A good vocal sound requires more from your mic technique (and the mic technique of the vocalist) than it does from the way you process it. For example, place the mic where you normally place it. Record a pass, then angle the mic towards the vocalist's chest. Record another pass, and angle it towards their nose. Record that, and then drop the mic a few inches. Experiment with heights, angles, and distances between singer and mic, and you'll have a much better vocal sound going in than any eq could give you. If your client starts getting antsy (which they will if they don't have a lot of experience recording and/or don't trust you entirely as their engineer), patiently explain to them that taking five or ten extra minutes now to get it right will save them hours of mix time. Plus they'll sound 100 times better.

you should listen to this guy!