Best Background Vocal Mic?

[DarrenL5@hotmai]

Hello out there! I've been recording lead vox this week using a M49 to a Pacifica mic pre (which I tried out at Lugo's) to an 1176 to a LA-2A. Soon, we'll be moving onto background vox. All of the equip. I've been using for lead vox will be gone as they are rentals. For background vox, we'll be using an API512pre to an Avalon compressor. I've heard it's best to use a dif't mic for background vocals. With that said, I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for background vocal mics that might work well with the lead vocal tracks I'm recording now. I'm a male vocalist in the style of Coldplay, Ben Folds Five, Goo Goo Dolls, 3rd Eye Blind, etc....THANKS!!!

[84K]

Worry more about how you EQ the backing vocals... that will determine more of how they fit. The mic is the mic, the EQ is the medicine

[AcousTronic]

Personally, I use the same great mics I use for lead vox, but back off the mic about 3ft to get more room, the rest is EQ. If you record the backing tracks in a vocal booth, just add more reverb to give the distance, and watch your levels.

[musicsound-2]

for backround vocals maybe some Brauner like VM1 or VMA (better for male).
They are extremly transparent which might be helpful for backround vocals

How did you like the Pacifica btw ?
It´s on my list but I have never tried it.

[John Noll]

Try running them through an old Dolby A unit (encode only) to get that high sheen compressed effect. Often sounds cool on BG vocals. Depends on the song, singers, arrangement of course.

[DigitMus]

I like using omnis for BG vox. Either arrange the singers around a single omni and move them to achieve balance, or (if they're not up to that) track 'em 1 at a time with the same mic in the same place. I don't know how to describe the sound (dancing about architechture and all that...) but I get a lot of compliments, and I can't seem to achieve the same thing using directional mics and EQ.

Scott

[insomnio]

Originally Posted by DigitMus

I like using omnis for BG vox. Either arrange the singers around a single omni and move them to achieve balance, or (if they're not up to that) track 'em 1 at a time with the same mic in the same place. I don't know how to describe the sound (dancing about architechture and all that...) but I get a lot of compliments, and I can't seem to achieve the same thing using directional mics and EQ.Scott

How far do you place the singers for the mic?

_______________________
Insomnio

[DarrenL5@hotmai]

Thanks for the info. Keep it coming in regards to mic choices! RE: the Pacifica...I've been taking vox lessons with James -- we did an a-b with the Pacifica & the Neve 1073 and they both sounded great - I could've gone either way. At the studio, I'm recording at, we compared the Pacifica with an API512 and an Avalon pre. It beat out the both in my opinion although the 512 wasn't far off. So yeah, I love it!

[DigitMus]

Originally Posted by insomnio

How far do you place the singers for the mic?

_______________________
Insomnio

Well, that all depends, doesn't it?
Seriously, it IS quite dependent on the sound of the room, but generally between 8in. and 2ft. gives me satisfaction. Please note also that I use true pressure capsule omnis (DPA, Earthworks, M150...) not multipattern LDCs in omni.

Scott

[GYang]

DPA would do great service to to back vocals.
4041S thumbsup

[James Lugo]

How are the vocals comin'?

I have California stuck in my head. Darren, you're doing the right thing, just keep searchin'. I have McCurry's Brauner KHE VM1 and Telefunken Elam 251 E at the studio if you want to here some serious s**t. I have tracks with male and female vocals recorded from last nights party.

[blackcatdigi]

Lots of good suggestions already.

I've been enjoying using omni sd for BGVs, lately. Backing the singer(s) off from 2-6' in the main live room captures a real sense of 'space'.

And don't forget the RTB 'Queen' trick (MW shared with us): Dip 1k out of the BGVs and send through a 100 ms delay.

Have fun.

[peeceebee]

I like an airier bg vox sound usually, second the km56 recommendation, and I'll also add a um70- bright but very smoooth-

[DarrenL5@hotmai]

Vocals went well James. I just sent you an e-mail telling you about the sessions, and asking you a question about Melodyne. Check it out!

[u b k]

if i want truly background vox, back in the back, i'll do what was said below: use the same mic but with more air between the singer and the capsule. assuming, that is, it's the same person singing lead and bvx. hipass is your friend.

if it's different people, i'll choose whatever mic sounds best on them, and again leave more air in between.

if i want more in-your-face backing vox, more of a dual-lead intensity thing, i'll reach for a dynamic. 57 is sweet, or old 421, or re20. those mics are big on presence but light on air, so i can mix the backing track aggressively but it doesn't double the main vocal in all the wrong ways (i.e, sibilants and plosives).

btw, my secret for perfectly blended vox is to have all the vowel enunciations mirrored precisely, iow, is the 'e' an 'eeeeee' or an 'ehhhhhh', is the 'a' an 'aaayyyyy' or an 'aahhhh'. every word, every syllable. then, the timing of the consonants is crucial.

and, of course, eq and compression.


gregoire
del ubik

[picksail]

SM7 for stacking bkgrd vox.

Works like a charm.