Ever put a limiter on your vocals for more presence?

[Big 3rd]

Just wondering if this is something that is practiced by many. After putting the vocal through some additional compression during mixdown, I put a hint of limiting on it for stray peaks and for a more in your face, focused, sound.

Is this a no-no or is this something a lot of you practice?

[PeeWeeGee]

Big 3rd -

One trick I picked up was to use the Waves L3 Multiband (the Multipressor in Logic works, as well) on vocals. You can drill down on certain freqs and compress the hell outta them while still controlling the overall vocal take. I know this isn't the limiting option you're speaking of, but it does help a great deal with the "presence" I think you are after. Granted, the Waves solution isn't a cheap one, but it'll get the job done and you won't have the drawbacks associated with putting a brickwall on your vox.

Other solutions (for that bigger, more in-your-face sound) are the UAD1 LA2A and 1176s. Great bang for the buck, if you ask me.

PWG

[con?one]

Originally Posted by Big 3rd

Just wondering if this is something that is practiced by many. After putting the vocal through some additional compression during mixdown, I put a hint of limiting on it for stray peaks and for a more in your face, focused, sound.

Is this a no-no or is this something a lot of you practice?

i'm a waves L2 *****

[Methlab]

I go old school and use the L1. Also I always use the C4 on vocals too..The L1 trick works now and the, not for every song for sure.

[The Marrvel]

Originally Posted by Methlab

I go old school and use the L1. Also I always use the C4 on vocals too..The L1 trick works now and the, not for every song for sure.

you always use the c4 huh? how so?

[DivineMusic]

i always use C4's on vocals too..
controls the vocals with out pumping and adds a great amount of presence

[Imagearho]

I also use the c4 on vocals. I start with the pop vocal setting and work from there. It really helps the vocal sit right if you know what I mean.

[The Marrvel]

Originally Posted by Imagearho

I also use the c4 on vocals. I start with the pop vocal setting and work from there. It really helps the vocal sit right if you know what I mean.

wow, i might have to try it out, i've been stuck on rvox.

[Methlab]

^^^^^

use them in conjunction..put the C4 first in your chain.

[HDGuru]

Originally Posted by The Marrvel

wow, i might have to try it out, i've been stuck on rvox.

I find RVox kind of grainy, and pushy sounding for most parts.

[TonyBelmont]

I have seen people use L1 to tame vocals when other compressors don't sound right.. It's not the norm, but certainly happens.

[The Marrvel]

Originally Posted by Methlab

^^^^^

use them in conjunction..put the C4 first in your chain.

wow, seems like a lot of compression since I compress to catch peaks on the way in as well. what would that chain (including c4, eq, deesser, etc) look like?

[Big 3rd]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

I have seen people use L1 to tame vocals when other compressors don't sound right.. It's not the norm, but certainly happens.

Well, yeah I'm using the basic limiter on the Waves Diamond package. I'm not cutting the sh*t out of it, but I am getting at the stray peaks here and there. But, more importantly I'm trying to get every word hot enough to be heard.

As you know, I've been working on this project and can't get my vocals to sound the way I want. As you also know, I've approach my mixdown by starting with the vocal and the snare, eq there, and procede to introduce the rest and do the same.
A friend of mine suggested that I, without eqing anything, bring all my faders up and balance and pan the whole track to taste ...making sure nothing is getting lost...then do your compressing and eqing...then your effects.

Which, if any, way do you prefer?Introduce a track, tweak, the next track, then tweak? Or introduce all tracks, level and pan to taste, then tweak?

Because I think I might be rushing to judge to early because of how I'm starting my mix.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Big 3rd

Well, yeah I'm using the basic limiter on the Waves Diamond package. I'm not cutting the sh*t out of it, but I am getting at the stray peaks here and there. But, more importantly I'm trying to get every word hot enough to be heard.

As you know, I've been working on this project and can't get my vocals to sound the way I want. As you also know, I've approach my mixdown by starting with the vocal and the snare, eq there, and procede to introduce the rest and do the same.
A friend of mine suggested that I, without eqing anything, bring all my faders up and balance and pan the whole track to taste ...making sure nothing is getting lost...then do your compressing and eqing...then your effects.

Which, if any, way do you prefer?Introduce a track, tweak, the next track, then tweak? Or introduce all tracks, level and pan to taste, then tweak?

Because I think I might be rushing to judge to early because of how I'm starting my mix.

A lot of times I'll throw up the faders and get a level mix. Then, from there I'll start fixing problems with EQ and compression... adjust... listen.... adjust again... listen again... problems fixed... Then I'll experiment with effects, delays and reverbs, etc.

[Big 3rd]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

A lot of times I'll throw up the faders and get a level mix. Then, from there I'll start fixing problems with EQ and compression... adjust... listen.... adjust again... listen again... problems fixed... Then I'll experiment with effects, delays and reverbs, etc.

Exactly. That's exactly what I'm talking about.

Now do you approach your mixing this way pretty much most of the time?
If not, what other ways do you approach it and why?

[Big 3rd]

Thanks alot Tony...

I know I ask a lot of questions, I'm just trying to see if I'm on the right track before I get too far into the mix and have to trash it because of a wrong turn.

I really appreciate your help.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Big 3rd

Exactly. That's exactly what I'm talking about.

Now do you approach your mixing this way pretty much most of the time?
If not, what other ways do you approach it and why?

Most of the time I throw up the faders and get a level mix going.

The whole process will be covered in the DVD. If you haven't pre-ordered yet, you might want to while there is still a few slots left.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Big 3rd

Thanks alot Tony...

I know I ask a lot of questions, I'm just trying to see if I'm on the right track before I get too far into the mix and have to trash it because of a wrong turn.

I really appreciate your help.

No problem... I'm glad to help!

[Big 3rd]

Originally Posted by TonyBelmont

Most of the time I throw up the faders and get a level mix going.

The whole process will be covered in the DVD. If you haven't pre-ordered yet, you might want to while there is still a few slots left.

Ok...so how close are you to KNOWING it's release and shipment dates? Because my money is a little funny right now and I don't want to push it if it won't be for a while. You know I definitely would pick one up but I just need to know where it's at right now.

You must have been planning this a little while, unless you got some hella connect or you just got it like that and if so...tell me how a brotha can get on.

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by Big 3rd

Ok...so how close are you to KNOWING it's release and shipment dates? Because my money is a little funny right now and I don't want to push it if it won't be for a while. You know I definitely would pick one up but I just need to know where it's at right now.

You must have been planning this a little while, unless you got some hella connect or you just got it like that and if so...tell me how a brotha can get on.

All I can say is that this is a major project, and I'm not willing to Mickey Mouse around with it and rush it out the door. I spend every day working on this DVD in one way or another, and it will be jam packed with information. If money is tight, you got to cover your priorities. But, I think this will be worth the money and wait, for anyone who purchases it.

[Methlab]

Originally Posted by The Marrvel

wow, seems like a lot of compression since I compress to catch peaks on the way in as well. what would that chain (including c4, eq, deesser, etc) look like?

The c4 just levels everything out. Then you can EQ and compress again in Rvox if you want. I just like the C4 first in line because I get the vocal level right and have a foundation to work with.

[HDGuru]

Something I always find helpful is to work with the accapella by itself for a while revealing any problems that are being masked by the music. I try to get the Accapella mix sounding good all by itself, then add the music back in, and continue towards the finish. Something i'm finding much harder to settle on these days with instant recall. I find myself monkeying with mixes I finished, and sent to press months ago...

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by Big 3rd

Just wondering if this is something that is practiced by many. After putting the vocal through some additional compression during mixdown, I put a hint of limiting on it for stray peaks and for a more in your face, focused, sound.

Is this a no-no or is this something a lot of you practice?

Once in a while.


Usually for an effect or in back of "colored" squash with mucho gain.


I love the La3a or Distressor for this.