How do i make vocals blend in the mix.

[iwannamix]

So im mixing this track and ive used all the basics and the vocals sound pretty good. Im using cubase

Compression - GranComp , Waves SSL Comp , Cubase Comp
EQ - Cubase GE - 30 EQ, Studio EQ , Waves EQ
Reverb - Cubase Reverb
Delay - DoubleDelay

IT sounds pretty god but the vocals sound like there ontop of the Track and not blended in, here's a sample of it i have to mix for a friend.



Hallucination (Prod. By Kile Kanvas) | Kile Kanvas

Any suggestions ?

[Audio Child]

You should have the vox centred around the drums and bass!
Other intruments like synths etc hugging the vox but not jumping above!

[Bender412]

...

[JoRillo]

That image should be your signature bender. lmao Although this isn't simply a check my mix thread, at least he is asking for advice.

@OP
Post it here - The Official "Please Check Out My Mix/ Music" Thread

[ronydarippa]

Originally Posted by iwannamix

So im mixing this track and ive used all the basics and the vocals sound pretty good. Im using cubase

Compression - GranComp , Waves SSL Comp , Cubase Comp
EQ - Cubase GE - 30 EQ, Studio EQ , Waves EQ
Reverb - Cubase Reverb
Delay - DoubleDelay

IT sounds pretty god but the vocals sound like there ontop of the Track and not blended in, here's a sample of it i have to mix for a friend.



Hallucination (Prod. By Kile Kanvas) | Kile Kanvas

Any suggestions ?

hey, if you like, send me stems, i will mix it for you, if you like the sound, i will explain to you what i did.

[craigdouglas]

tune it... wrong notes won't let the vocals blend.. not a single eq or compressor that can fix dissonence

[Danny Downer]

U need the waves vocal blender! Its the shiat!

[mbrice09]

Originally Posted by Danny Downer

U need the waves vocal blender! Its the shiat!

is that new its not in my waves bundle

[mbrice09]

Originally Posted by Audio Child

You should have the vox centred around the drums and bass!
Other intruments like synths etc hugging the vox but not jumping above!

i agree with this, get the bass and kick right first then level the vocals with it then bring in the snare and other drum instruments then layer everything around making sure that no other sounds are masking the vocals.

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by mbrice09

is that new its not in my waves bundle

No Im Sorry I was kidding that doesnt exist...

Blending in vocals has a lot to do with Eqing the track so theres sonical space for the vocal as well as the right amount of compression bus compression etc. its a result of different factors...

I think theres no short answer to this man

[Ezionjd]

Get out a 6 band eq and kill about 4-5 frequencies that annoys your ear when you spike it. Go from high to low. Then use the last band to roll off at 50-60hz. Pay me later.

[mbrice09]

kill 4-5 frequencies on the vocals? thats the worst advice ever, i wouldn't do that.! i hate when people say that too, when i was learning to mix i used to read that all the time. i realized the more you try to change the sound the more it sounds unnatural. just listen and see what you don't like about it and then think.. if you sweep the frequencies and then just start removing things you don't think sound good its going to take away from your vocal.

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by mbrice09

kill 4-5 frequencies on the vocals? thats the worst advice ever, i wouldn't do that.! i hate when people say that too, when i was learning to mix i used to read that all the time. i realized the more you try to change the sound the more it sounds unnatural. just listen and see what you don't like about it and then think.. if you sweep the frequencies and then just start removing things you don't think sound good its going to take away from your vocal.

Ehhmm well this is just not true! Of course having a vocal that is nice and needs no subtractive EQ is the best no doubt!

But thats not the case most of the time! It is about how u use it, try to make musical cuts with not that high Q'S

Only time I do really high Q cuts is when I hear those ringing resonances in the highs...

The problem is that a lot of people confuse the fundamentals of the voice with resonances while sweeping! If that happens u will mos def take away body from the vocal!

[JoeyXoto]

You mentioned you are using compressors and such - but do you know what you want the compressor to achieve? Have you just stuck the compressor on because you thought it should be there? I'm not trying to be arrogant or rude, I'm being honest. If you are asking how to make your vocals blend with the music/beat more, then I'd like to know what you are using the compressor for..

In terms of getting vocals to “blend” – there are loads of things to do this. 1 – Compression! If you export an instrumental, you can fit the vocal around the music. Your instrumental could be just drums, or drums and bass. That way your vocal won’t be drowned by the music, and will still be at a good level – with compression you can get it fitting nicely with your drums and bass.

That’s just one technique, there are several ways to do this.

[KT1]

Lol at Danny! Haha I nearly went into one about some new ish I needed to buy...Danny the bankrupter!

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Gearslutz.com

[press tone]

I think a big part of a vocal sitting well in the mix is using outboard compression. Most of the time it being an optical compressor that will smooth out your vocals if they're too spiky or sticking out too much. There are a lot of outboard comps that will effect your signal dramatically w/o even compressing at all. For a cheaper alternative check out the ART Pro VLA II.

[J CraQ]

Originally Posted by press tone

I think a big part of a vocal sitting well in the mix is using outboard compression. Most of the time it being an optical compressor that will smooth out your vocals if they're too spiky or sticking out too much. There are a lot of outboard comps that will effect your signal dramatically w/o even compressing at all. For a cheaper alternative check out the ART Pro VLA II.

I see you mentioned OTB compression as your main answer.. I'm interested to know your recommendations ITB you would use to get you closest to the same compression effect..

I know ITB compression doesn't sound the same... but if you REALLY had to what are your top three ITB compressor picks for something sensitive such as vocals?

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by J CraQ

I see you mentioned OTB compression as your main answer.. I'm interested to know your recommendations ITB you would use to get you closest to the same compression effect..

I know ITB compression doesn't sound the same... but if you REALLY had to what are your top three ITB compressor picks for something sensitive such as vocals?

Millions of good mixes with well blended vocals made with itb compression... simply not true!

The main difference between itb and otb compression is that you can drive outboard harder without getting the typical pumping etc.

Appart from the obvious because compressors got opamps and stuff inside them and introduce harmonics and such....

Of course a plugin comp doesnt sound like his real world pendandt but still you can embed vocals with it!

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by KT1

Lol at Danny! Haha I nearly went into one about some new ish I needed to buy...Danny the bankrupter!

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Gearslutz.com

Also get the new SPL Mixbumper!!! without it ur mix just wont bump at all!!!

--> SECRETS TO PRO MIXING Homes

[JoRillo]

Originally Posted by Danny Downer

Also get the new SPL Mixbumper!!! without it ur mix just wont bump at all!!!

--> SECRETS TO PRO MIXING Homes

Isn't that what MaxxBass is for? Just throw it on your 2bus and crank that sucker up to full blast.

[Danny Downer]

Originally Posted by JoRillo

Isn't that what MaxxBass is for? Just throw it on your 2bus and crank that sucker up to full blast.

Man u better shut up right now or the SSOSSAEAP will burry u alive son!!!

[J CraQ]

Originally Posted by Danny Downer

Millions of good mixes with well blended vocals made with itb compression... simply not true!

The main difference between itb and otb compression is that you can drive outboard harder without getting the typical pumping etc.

Appart from the obvious because compressors got opamps and stuff inside them and introduce harmonics and such....

Of course a plugin comp doesnt sound like his real world pendandt but still you can embed vocals with it!

Yes, they work the same. I find ITB compression degrades the sound too much and usually has only one sweet spot to work with.. Outboard compressors usually sound great through there full range of compression.. plus most ITB compressors add harmonics as well but simply just don't sound as good or the same.

Just curious of press tone the analog guys ITB opinion. Top 3 please.

[RonGherkins]

I really don't care if people think I'm a dick, this is where this thread needs to go:

Newbie audio engineering & production question zone (trial beta forum) - Gearslutz.com

[J CraQ]

Can't people have a general conversation anymore? nice shirt

[JoRillo]

Was a piety insult suppose to help your argument? This is a question that belongs in the Newb section. The rap forum needs to shape up - before it ships out. If you want this forum to be serious and remain that way - people need to learn where to post basic questions.

This ain't an insult to the OP - most of us (at least the helpful ones) browse most of the forums. I hit the Newbie section all the time to see if there is anything I can help with. I hit the rap forum - the newbie question forum - gear section - acoustic section - low end section - electronic section - moan zone - and even the good news channel regularly.