Softening Vox

[par]

Hi there.

I recently had a session, recording a male singer (high tenor).
Our 269C was out for repair, so I used the C12 then 1073, ADL limiter into ApogeeAD8000.

The thing is that I'm not really satisfied with the result. The singers performance was amazing, but the sound I got was just "to hard" (you know.. C12 hard..). Deesser fixes the Ess's, but I really must try to cut out some frequency or something to soften the basic tone.

The eq's at my disposal are GML8200 and SSL G+ eq and I will give them a good tweak, but I just wonder if any of you has encountered this problem and tips on how to fix it.

Thanks!!

[Stargazer]

Depending on style, give the Fatso a try.
I'm just trying one out, and I find it really useful with that kind of problems.

[par]

Well, I'm not planning to buy gear all because of this little ****up...

Yes Fatso is capable of giving Bing Crosby style warmth to vocals.
I use it all the time, warmth settings 2 or 3 are good.. You also get some de-essing benefit too..

[Stargazer]

Sorry if I'm going off topic, but on electric guitar, both clean and distorted, I have hard times with the warmth parameter.
Even with little processing I get some undesirable hi-frequency noice.
On ac guit, drums and vocals I got no such problems...
Jules?

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by par
Well, I'm not planning to buy gear all because of this little ****up...

The you are screwed.grudge

If its ****ed up in the recording, your only way to fix it is with processing.

I like certain comps for this purpose:

1) Vac Rac limiter-probably the best for this purpose especially if you want to retain some of the original timbral balance

2)Gates Sta level- second best. Works better with a Neve EQ(1073 usually).

3)Neve 32264a-if you want to go start to go away from the timbral balance and create your own

4)Neve 2254e- if the vocals are way too edgy or thin

5)Vari-Mu and Avalon 2044- very pillowy sound that works best on edgy backgrounds

All of the above you will have to EQ, some before and after, some just after(I usually use a MPassive EQ or when drastic measures called for a Pultec EQP1A). I fine tune it with a GML8200 or Sontec.

Also the right combination of delays and reverbs also works wonders.

[Beezoboy]

Yeah I'd look to a nice tube compressor, or a really good solid state one. Actually maybe a really crappy one will be just the ticket. Got a mushy sounding compressor that has never been able to deliver punch for you? Maybe you should try that one?

Eq is great but I don't think it will soften quite like a compressor can. BTW are you mixing in a DAW? Analog? Tell use more.

Beez

[par]

I'm mixing on a SSL4000G+..

Don't have too many tubecompressors though.... Just the ADL, Chandler TG comp.. Then a bunch of 1176 and LA3A.... and many tdm plugs..

Any tips?

[jbuntz]

What kinda of timeframe are you looking at? Do you have a VST wrapper? If so, email me at krampus108@hotmail.com

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by par
I'm mixing on a SSL4000G+..

Don't have too many tubecompressors though.... Just the ADL, Chandler TG comp.. Then a bunch of 1176 and LA3A.... and many tdm plugs..

Any tips?

Can we say rentals?

Does the budget allow for it?

If not:

The ADL won't work since you've tracked through it(not a big fan of mixing through the same comps one tracks with). Also the ADL's weakest feature is it craps out when you slam it to hard and what you need is a comp that you can pour on the concrete and it won't crumble.

I would exclude the 1176 and LA3A(even though you may want to use it later as a make up comp).

I am not sure which TG comp you have there. If its the EMI copy than you maybe in luck(even though i haven't had much luck on vocals with it, i can see for certain rock tracks it will work great). It has a quirky and fun vibe to it. I would say give it a go and see how far you can get away with compression before it gets to be too noticeable. It can be dark sounding at times, but in this case it maybe beneficial.

Do you have any Tube EQ's or a Neve? I think the TG comp followed by a Neve or Pultec, followed by the LA3A or 1176(for some excitement) with the GML for polishing will hopefully put you in the right ball park.

Slap on the right effects for some depths and you maybe ok.

[par]

Thanks!