Tracking vocals

[Jason Poulin]

Does anyone track vocals using pickup patterns other than cardioid?

Also, backup vocals... do you try using other pickup patterns to blend in and not be so up front in the mix. I want to get ambient with the backups. I don't to over power the main vox or even contend with it.

Thanks

Jason

[NathanEldred]

I've had great luck with omni on many vocalists, figure of 8 can be nice for thin voices for extra promimity effect. It's nice to have a mic with 9 polar patterns, but not necessary of course.

[Jason Poulin]

I'm working with pretty thick sounding vocals. I often have to roll off 500hz down...

[dtobocman]

Omni is the pure sound of the capsule and all other patterns use various means of phase cancellation to achieve the pattern, which changes the sound accordingly (I'm probably over simplifying, but I think I'm mostly accurate here).

As such, there's a big difference in the sound of a 414 in omni vs. in cardoid -- try it on an acoustic guitar -- it's pretty shocking.

If you've got a multi-pattern mic, you ought to make some comparative recordings of the different patterns and keep those sounds in your trick bag -- it's a lot cheaper than buying more mics.

The only problem with using patterns wider than cardoid is including too much room tone in the vocal track, but baffling will help a lot and room tone is not always unusable.

Yes, I've used hypercardoid to great effect on backgrounds for a sound that's a little thinner. Tucked nicely behind the lead without needing extra EQ.

[malice]

Originally posted by Jason Poulin
I'm working with pretty think sounding vocals. I often have to roll off 500hz down...

you ARE joking of course ...

malice

tracking BV's in omni quiet often ...

[Jason Poulin]

It's no joke my friend.

The cut is a slightly -1dB from 500hz down. The vocals are too thick for the mix IMO. I mean the natural voice is thick!

The cut is nice with a little boost on the upper end, and sometimes I don't even boost. (I rather cut than boost). It takes discipline...

I'll usually cut and bring up the fader slowly to even out the spectrum.

As for the BV, it's a good idea... thanks

Jason

[malice]

Originally posted by Jason Poulin
It's no joke my friend.

The cut is a slightly -1dB from 500hz down.

Okayyyy, so it is more like shelving.

I thought you were cuting (like 12db/oct) from 500Hz. Therefore I understand you completely, even if I try not to do what you do. It really depends on the music and singer anyway ...

best

malice

[recorderman]

I like figure 9...1 better than 8.

[rainsinvelvet]

"but mine goes to 11"

(in fake brit accent)


Eric

[Jason Poulin]

Yes Malice, it's more like shelving

cutting 12/db from 500Hz on vox would be overrrrrrrkill!

it would go thick to very thin.

It may work if you're trying to record the music coming from a sub woofer with the bass on max haha

Anyhow, thanks for your reply

Jason

[atticus]

I have been recording some vocals in Mid side using a ribbon as the center mic and a condenser in figure eight as the side mic. It's pretty unconventional but when you dial it in it sounds great. Thanks.

[Jason Poulin]

I have never tried mid-side on vox...

I sense an experiment coming soon!

Thanks

[Cornvalley]

Used the backside of a Royer-122 (as per their instructions) on a jazz male vocal. Sounded perfect, no EQ, light comp. . Enclosing the space somewhat with Studiotraps turned bright side in helped too