Another Vocal Chain But My Last 1!

[nortyhat]

Ok, Here it is Guys! I'm not going agaisnt you Benny Grotto. Just to make that clear. but i want to know everyones honest opinion?

AKG 414 Mic > Avalon 737sp> Distressor> RME 800 Into DAW (Nuendo 3) w/JBL LSR4328 Monitors.

Is that clear vocals with a treated room.

I Just want my vocals to be clear for the tracks, to add to that, they say dont record with compression into my DAW right? So why is everyone using vocal chains with limiters and compressors? Just an question on how they do it?

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by nortyhat

I'm not going agaisnt you Benny Grotto.

No worries.


BTW - who told you not to record with compression? As long as you know what you're doing, I'd say most folk would encourage it.

[nortyhat]

hey BG well i had did plenty of searches on this forum and a lot of people are stating that they whether go in dry and use an plug-in to compress or something of that nature.

[AMIEL]

>But you do not have to record with compression!

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by nortyhat

hey BG well i had did plenty of searches on this forum and a lot of people are stating that they whether go in dry and use an plug-in to compress or something of that nature.

It's incredibly rare that a rap vocal NOT need compression; I can't think of a single rap session I've ever done where I didn't compress on the way in.

That said, if you don't understand how to properly compress a vocal, or, if you have a piece of shit compressor, then you definitely SHOULDN'T compress on the way in.

If that's the route you wanna take, I'd suggest re-thinking your vocal chain...you'd be paying for not one, but TWO compressors that you're not even gonna use.

Originally Posted by AMIEL

>But you do not have to record with compression!

[jsrockit]

Do you already have the chain or are you buying it and want to figure out what would work?

[nortyhat]

i know a little about compression, but i also hear the avalon compressor isnt all that good so i thought of the distressor. and i already have the AKG 414 i have the funds for the rest of the hardware as we speak so i dont want to hit order on something thats not going to sound good.

[phillysoulman]

Get a Urei 1176

[nortyhat]

is that the universal audio 1176. because i checked sweetwater.com for the urei 1176 no matches?

[fingerbeats]

No its the original which universal audio are recreating!

[nortyhat]

ok is it supposed to be really good worth the money?

[bgrotto]

Originally Posted by nortyhat

ok is it supposed to be really good worth the money?

Dude, you're getting way off-track. Don't worry about getting a SECOND compressor, you're several steps ahead of yourself there.

The Avalon has a comp; it's pretty decent. If you don't think you'll like it, buy a different pre, and put the money towards a different comp. Or better yet, don't buy a comp at all yet; you don't know how to work one so it's best to learn AFTER the vocals are laid down and you can experiment with plug in settings.

[nortyhat]

ok so what pre for the akg 414 and what compressor?

[jsrockit]

You are spending a lot of cash to not know why you should buy option A vs. option B. I know it is not a popular or fun decision, but start slow and build up from there. Buy the Avalon...work with it for awhile, see what it is lacking (in your opinion) and then go from there.

[E.rOk.stA]

Originally Posted by nortyhat

Ok, Here it is Guys! I'm not going agaisnt you Benny Grotto. Just to make that clear. but i want to know everyones honest opinion?

AKG 414 Mic > Avalon 737sp> Distressor> RME 800 Into DAW (Nuendo 3) w/JBL LSR4328 Monitors.

Is that clear vocals with a treated room.

I Just want my vocals to be clear for the tracks, to add to that, they say dont record with compression into my DAW right? So why is everyone using vocal chains with limiters and compressors? Just an question on how they do it?

I have and like the 414. It's not known for it's color or character. It is accurate. The Avalon is similar in character. The comp on the 737 is actually just right for tracking (safely). Set it to reduce 3-5 dB's and forget about it. I know some folks will get buggy when I say this but the Distressor's strength is mixing, not tracking. It's too easy to misuse it and mess up the take. I would still get it, just save it for mixing for now. The equipment you listed will do just fine.

[nortyhat]

hey thanks for the info peoples really do.

[mdjice]

Originally Posted by nortyhat

hey thanks for the info peoples really do.

The 737 with a c414 (ULS) will work great, I've recorded many major songs with this chain, no complain.

[George Necola]

if you can get a hold of a charteroak SA538 try this mic. incredible for rapvocals.

I would say you are not in the market for a new compressor.

use the avaloncomp. It is not magic, but it is compression.

cheers

[Wally]

Remember the new Genre thats coming out in 2009 registered By Waldemar Torres its gonna be called Whisper Tone all songs for that genre are gonna be people whispering lol.

[goldenlotus]

The Distressor works great for rap vocals. We've got a Tube Tech CL1b that we use for singing type vocals, but use the Distressor for more aggressive stuff. Definitely don't agree that it's better for mixing than tracking. Just make sure you aren't compressing too much and it works great.

I would skip the Avalon if I were you. Especially for rap something more colored sounds better to me about 90% of the time, some other people seem to like it though. You might like the Vintech Dual 72 which has a Neve type sound though it's not as thick as the real thing.

[E.rOk.stA]

Originally Posted by goldenlotus

The Distressor works great for rap vocals. We've got a Tube Tech CL1b that we use for singing type vocals, but use the Distressor for more aggressive stuff. Definitely don't agree that it's better for mixing than tracking. Just make sure you aren't compressing too much and it works great.

I would skip the Avalon if I were you. Especially for rap something more colored sounds better to me about 90% of the time, some other people seem to like it though. You might like the Vintech Dual 72 which has a Neve type sound though it's not as thick as the real thing.

What settings do you use for tracking? I shouldn't have said "better", I meant it could be used more for mixing. Remember, the OP has never tracked with compression yet. I was aiming to give him "safe" over my preferences. As for me, I personally track most rap vox with 414>vintech x73i>tla-100a>003R.

[nortyhat]

i want something thats going to be worth in a short and long run. also i want a preamp thats going to push the hell out the 414, give its max potential you know. give it that warmth sound i should say. getting my lead vocal to be big. i keep seeing the la610 with the 414 on sweetwater forum.

[kincept]

would the API waves plugins be good for him? the compressor on that is pretty dam good

[nortyhat]

thats not the problem mora its just i cant try no gear out so i go off what i hear. our GC doesnt rent equipment out.

[jsrockit]

Just buy the Avalon, try it, if you like it keep it, if you do not, return it.