50 Cent - Vocal Chain

Ntchi · 11th October 2007, 08:00 PM

I’ve been listening to 50 Cent’s albums lately to analyze the way he’s voice are tracked. And I was wondering what kind of vocal chain they were using on him. Do you guys know how they achieved his vocals on his latest album (“Curtis”)? He got this “in your face” high presence vocal and very intelligible.

I figured out 2 ways; tell me if I’m wrong.

A-A-Track a lead vocal RAW almost NO compression (max -3db to none) with slow attack, med release. Then at mixing, double this track and compress it aggresively with slow attack with a LA-2A for instance then EQ (Bring out presence with a Pultec for instance) this one and make it blend with the first one. Then bring out some adlibs.

B- B- Use 2 compressor in a row while tracking…sum’ like 1176 hard ratio> LA2A Soft, leave it has is or EQ a little. Then bring out some adlibs.

C-???

What do you Pros think?

What mic and preamp?

TTB · 11th October 2007, 08:35 PM

Neve 1073 followed by a Summit TLA-100 or Avalon compressor.

Ntchi · 11th October 2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTB

Neve 1073 followed by a Summit TLA-100 or Avalon compressor.

Avalon? I doubt this...but maybe ya. A 737 or 2044?

Igotsoul4u · 11th October 2007, 09:00 PM

Its a c800 into and Avalon 737.

TTB · 11th October 2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ntchi

Avalon? I doubt this...but maybe ya. A 737 or 2044?

The Avalon with compression off. yep

computa · 11th October 2007, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igotsoul4u

Its a c800 into and Avalon 737.

737 into an 1176 if i remember correctly

Ntchi · 11th October 2007, 09:48 PM

Thanks guys!

And what about the mixing?

Ntchi · 11th October 2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igotsoul4u

Its a c800 into and Avalon 737.

C800? Man...doesnt he used a cheaper mic? All his song are tracked with a c 800?

Versatile255 · 11th October 2007, 10:07 PM

alot of songs hes done is wit the c800g but i dont know about the new album and im preety much sure that they do compress his vocals but lightly. i dont know what compressor they use on him no more.this question comes up all da time among producers forums in some studios etc. i know hes also used auto technioca forgot what series but that was on the massacre.

Joemamma · 11th October 2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTB

The Avalon with compression off. yep

Why? To get some tube sound with it?

herbalphunk · 12th October 2007, 03:30 AM

EQ did a vocal issue a few years ago and i think i remember that dre or his engineer said that they used a c800 through a 1073 preamp and the compressor on the 737 for in da club.

china jam · 12th October 2007, 03:42 AM

I've heard that he drinks raw eggs before he does a pass of doubling up so that it doesn't sound too much like the lead. That's how he gets that thick, eggy tone which is possibly more important than the vocal chain.

daillman · 12th October 2007, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by china jam

I've heard that he drinks raw eggs before he does a pass of doubling up so that it doesn't sound too much like the lead. That's how he gets that thick, eggy tone which is possibly more important than the vocal chain.

this is a joke right........ok i got one i heard that he stands on his head and does his second pass to flip the phase of his vocals and to give it that blood rushing to your head feel........

Neruk · 12th October 2007, 04:15 AM

I heard he doesnt sleep for 72 hours before recording, and then just kinda mumbles into the mic.

UnMix Studio · 12th October 2007, 06:03 AM

Whoa, u guys believe that muchwhat was done to the vocals?

Didi you guys notice who did most of the recordings? Tony Yayo at 50's house

U think that cat was patching up LA2As and Manley? Them joint went in raw then probably high end gear at mixing. Dre didn't even mix most of it.

Versatile255 · 12th October 2007, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnMix Studio

Whoa, u guys believe that muchwhat was done to the vocals?

Didi you guys notice who did most of the recordings? Tony Yayo at 50's house

U think that cat was patching up LA2As and Manley? Them joint went in raw then probably high end gear at mixing. Dre didn't even mix most of it.

i saw that on the album inlay but i was thinking it was mostly bull just to say tony actually recorded but that was just for the new album.

DowntownScience · 12th October 2007, 03:26 PM

Does anybody actually know? Because the majority just seem to be throwing out variations of Andre's vocal chain.

C800G >> 1073 >> 737 (well documented)

Ntchi · 12th October 2007, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DowntownScience

Does anybody actually know? Because the majority just seem to be throwing out variations of Andre's vocal chain.

C800G >> 1073 >> 737 (well documented)

Oh ya thats also the Andre's 3000 chain?

Ntchi · 12th October 2007, 07:50 PM

Listen to the track "Fallow My Lead" In the last album "Curtis". Geez, did you see this level of presence and clarity in the voice, for an hip hop song its ridiculously high!

I tried this last nigh:

Neumann TLM49 > Germanium > 1073 hipass@160hz > LA-3A shaving 6db

Sounded close, but there is something missing still!

There is something in the low mids and highs that is magic in his chain...or mixing.

FULL-DUPLEX · 12th October 2007, 08:03 PM

is it really a 1073? I thought it is the Avalaon 737 as a preamp...

Igotsoul4u · 12th October 2007, 10:59 PM

Once again you are all discrediting the fact that the album was mixed and mastered!!!!!! Do you honestly think that the mixer just pulled up the vocal track and left it as is????? Its actually quite the opposite. Most Gunit vocals are really sketchy and it always baffled me that they didn't want to hire a legit engineer to record all their vocals. Anyway. You just described a really nice vocal chain so as long as you are not distorting your vocals you should be fine. Just make sure you get someone good to mix it. And for the record, it is a c800 into a 737. I called and asked just for you.

**TonyBelmont** · 13th October 2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTB

Neve 1073 followed by a Summit TLA-100 or Avalon compressor.

I just wanted to point out that while he may or may not use the TLA-100.... this is by far one of my favorite compressors for vocals and bass... It doesn't get anywhere near the credit it deserves on the forum.

One of the most slept on pieces as far as compressors go in all of audio. I'm buying another one after I'm done mixing this project.

Ace'Lo · 13th October 2007, 06:54 PM

Yea the 737 is underrated. I just changed the tubes in mine and I love it! I can honestly see the value in them once you get the Babyface Mod and change the tubes. That thing sounds great!!

**TonyBelmont** · 13th October 2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace'Lo

Yea the 737 is underrated. I just changed the tubes in mine and I love it! I can honestly see the value in them once you get the Babyface Mod and change the tubes. That thing sounds great!!

I was talking about the TLA100a:

But, the babyface mod is a significant improvement to the 737

Ntchi · 15th October 2007, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igotsoul4u

And for the record, it is a c800 into a 737. I called and asked just for you.

Thank you! Man, I should get a hand on a 737 and try this out. Thanks a lot!

Ntchi · 15th October 2007, 02:58 PM

Avalon VT-737 or VT-737SP?

Stitch333 · 16th October 2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I was talking about the TLA100a:

I'd rather see one of these in a rack for a vocal tracking session than an original/reissue La2a or an Avalon compressor (tho I havent used the babyface mod 737 yet but Id still go to the summit first). This is a tasty piece.

Rukas · 16th October 2007, 02:56 PM

Id love to see a comparison of 50's vocal chains throughout his career.

I mean, Id love to know what he started out using during his GUnit mixtape days before he signed with Shady, and then throughout his albums. I think seeing the progression would be rather interesting.

Ntchi · 16th October 2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rukas

Id love to see a comparison of 50's vocal chains throughout his career.

I mean, Id love to know what he started out using during his GUnit mixtape days before he signed with Shady, and then throughout his albums. I think seeing the progression would be rather interesting.

You'll notice the difference from his first album "Power of the Dollar" to the latest one. The latest vocal has way more presence and in your face vocals some hype between 5k-8k+ that weren't there before. Same for mixtapes.

DowntownScience · 16th October 2007, 05:16 PM

How do you guys feel about the Summit TLA-50?

Is there a dramatic difference?

11th October 2007, 08:00 PM	#1
Ntchi Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 59	50 Cent - Vocal Chain I’ve been listening to 50 Cent’s albums lately to analyze the way he’s voice are tracked. And I was wondering what kind of vocal chain they were using on him. Do you guys know how they achieved his vocals on his latest album (“Curtis”)? He got this “in your face” high presence vocal and very intelligible. I figured out 2 ways; tell me if I’m wrong. A-A-Track a lead vocal RAW almost NO compression (max -3db to none) with slow attack, med release. Then at mixing, double this track and compress it aggresively with slow attack with a LA-2A for instance then EQ (Bring out presence with a Pultec for instance) this one and make it blend with the first one. Then bring out some adlibs. B- B- Use 2 compressor in a row while tracking…sum’ like 1176 hard ratio> LA2A Soft, leave it has is or EQ a little. Then bring out some adlibs. C-??? What do you Pros think? What mic and preamp?

12th October 2007, 03:26 PM	#17
DowntownScience Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: www.downtownscience.com Posts: 266	Does anybody actually know? Because the majority just seem to be throwing out variations of Andre's vocal chain. C800G >> 1073 >> 737 (well documented) __________________ It Is An Old & Ironic Habit Of Human Beings To Run Faster When We Have Lost Our Way Don't Ever Think You Know What's Right For The Other Person. He Might Start Thinking He Knows What's Right For You By Three Methods We May Learn Wisdom: First, By Reflection, Which Is Noblest; Second, By Imitation, Which Is Easiest; And Third By Experience, Which Is The Bitterest A Dreamer Is One Who Can Only Find His Way By Moonlight, And His Punishment Is That He Sees The Dawn Before The Rest Of The World

13th October 2007, 06:54 PM	#23
Ace'Lo Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 264	Yea the 737 is underrated. I just changed the tubes in mine and I love it! I can honestly see the value in them once you get the Babyface Mod and change the tubes. That thing sounds great!! __________________ Ace'Lo www.myspace.com/acelo Protools HD2 Accel, Command 8, Apple G5 1.8 single processor, Avalon 737sp, Distressor, DBX 160X, Open Labs NEKO(with four 500gb internal harddrives), Akai MPC 3000 & 2000, Emu Sp-1200, Roland TR-808(with MIDI) & XP80, Yamaha Motif Rack, all the Emu modules, Korg MS2000, Korg Karma, Lil Freq, HEDD 192, Roland V-synth, Roland Fantom G7 and lyrics and beats 4 da streets!!

16th October 2007, 05:16 PM	#30
DowntownScience Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: www.downtownscience.com Posts: 266	How do you guys feel about the Summit TLA-50? Is there a dramatic difference? __________________ It Is An Old & Ironic Habit Of Human Beings To Run Faster When We Have Lost Our Way Don't Ever Think You Know What's Right For The Other Person. He Might Start Thinking He Knows What's Right For You By Three Methods We May Learn Wisdom: First, By Reflection, Which Is Noblest; Second, By Imitation, Which Is Easiest; And Third By Experience, Which Is The Bitterest A Dreamer Is One Who Can Only Find His Way By Moonlight, And His Punishment Is That He Sees The Dawn Before The Rest Of The World

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11th October 2007, 08:35 PM	#2
TTB Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 152	Neve 1073 followed by a Summit TLA-100 or Avalon compressor.

11th October 2007, 09:00 PM	#4
Igotsoul4u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,321	Its a c800 into and Avalon 737.

11th October 2007, 09:48 PM	#7
Ntchi Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 59	Thanks guys! And what about the mixing?

11th October 2007, 10:07 PM	#9
Versatile255 Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 749	alot of songs hes done is wit the c800g but i dont know about the new album and im preety much sure that they do compress his vocals but lightly. i dont know what compressor they use on him no more.this question comes up all da time among producers forums in some studios etc. i know hes also used auto technioca forgot what series but that was on the massacre.

12th October 2007, 03:30 AM	#11
herbalphunk Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 22	EQ did a vocal issue a few years ago and i think i remember that dre or his engineer said that they used a c800 through a 1073 preamp and the compressor on the 737 for in da club.

12th October 2007, 03:42 AM	#12
china jam Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kent, England Posts: 333	I've heard that he drinks raw eggs before he does a pass of doubling up so that it doesn't sound too much like the lead. That's how he gets that thick, eggy tone which is possibly more important than the vocal chain.

12th October 2007, 04:15 AM	#14
Neruk Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 209	I heard he doesnt sleep for 72 hours before recording, and then just kinda mumbles into the mic.

12th October 2007, 06:03 AM	#15
UnMix Studio Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 63	Whoa, u guys believe that muchwhat was done to the vocals? Didi you guys notice who did most of the recordings? Tony Yayo at 50's house U think that cat was patching up LA2As and Manley? Them joint went in raw then probably high end gear at mixing. Dre didn't even mix most of it.

12th October 2007, 07:50 PM	#19
Ntchi Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 59	Listen to the track "Fallow My Lead" In the last album "Curtis". Geez, did you see this level of presence and clarity in the voice, for an hip hop song its ridiculously high! I tried this last nigh: Neumann TLM49 > Germanium > 1073 hipass@160hz > LA-3A shaving 6db Sounded close, but there is something missing still! There is something in the low mids and highs that is magic in his chain...or mixing.

12th October 2007, 08:03 PM	#20
FULL-DUPLEX Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 483	is it really a 1073? I thought it is the Avalaon 737 as a preamp...

12th October 2007, 10:59 PM	#21
Igotsoul4u Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,321	Once again you are all discrediting the fact that the album was mixed and mastered!!!!!! Do you honestly think that the mixer just pulled up the vocal track and left it as is????? Its actually quite the opposite. Most Gunit vocals are really sketchy and it always baffled me that they didn't want to hire a legit engineer to record all their vocals. Anyway. You just described a really nice vocal chain so as long as you are not distorting your vocals you should be fine. Just make sure you get someone good to mix it. And for the record, it is a c800 into a 737. I called and asked just for you.

15th October 2007, 02:58 PM	#26
Ntchi Gear Head Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 59	Avalon VT-737 or VT-737SP?

16th October 2007, 02:56 PM	#28
Rukas Gear maniac Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 175	Id love to see a comparison of 50's vocal chains throughout his career. I mean, Id love to know what he started out using during his GUnit mixtape days before he signed with Shady, and then throughout his albums. I think seeing the progression would be rather interesting.

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