Dbx160a for Rap Vocals...

[atlantis]

Hello my fellow sluts. Im looking for a little insight on the DBX160a on vocals. Im useing the Dbx160a in this vocal chain.

Peluso 22 251>AvedisMa5>Dbx160a>Interface(Mpowerd-Pro Tools 9)

Im trying to get a bigger or shall i say louder vocal, tracking a artist with the chracteristics of Young Buck. I was wondering if anyone has any good results with the Dbx160a on vocals. I know its not the Distressor or a 1176 but, its what im working with right now.

Im useing the Dbx with these settings.

Threshold -10 with overeasy button engaged
Ratio 2:1
Output Gain -8
Gain Reduction 5 to 8

Please anyone with any success with any of these pieces of gear do tell. Thank you...

[T. Gundersen]

Originally Posted by atlantis

Peluso 22 251>AvedisMa5>Dbx160a>Interface(Mpowerd-Pro Tools 9)

Seems like a very nice chain, the interface being the weakest part of it, but it should not be a dealbreaker. I should mention that since the 251 is a good mic, it will capture the sound of the voice in the room based on how you place it in relation to the vocalist. So make sure you are satisfied with the way the room sounds and know how to work mic placement as this will make more of a difference than many other factors.

In relation to the choice of compressor, I have to ask what tools you have available for mixing. Because while the DBX 160 can easily be used for tracking rap vocals, I would honestly prefer tracking without compression whatsoever (going in at around -12 at top peaks) and doing the compression ITB when mixing.

[atlantis]

Originally Posted by T. Gundersen

Seems like a very nice chain, the interface being the weakest part of it, but it should not be a dealbreaker. I should mention that since the 251 is a good mic, it will capture the sound of the voice in the room based on how you place it in relation to the vocalist. So make sure you are satisfied with the way the room sounds and know how to work mic placement as this will make more of a difference than many other factors.

In relation to the choice of compressor, I have to ask what tools you have available for mixing. Because while the DBX 160 can easily be used for tracking rap vocals, I would honestly prefer tracking without compression whatsoever (going in at around -12 at top peaks) and doing the compression ITB when mixing.

I have Waves 8. Which includes Rcomp,Rvox,Req,and numerous of other plugins, also i have Cla76,Cla -la2,Hcomp,SSL Channel strip,Vseries and SoftTube Clb...And the standard Digi plugins

[T. Gundersen]

Originally Posted by atlantis

I have Waves 8. Which includes Rcomp,Rvox,Req,and numerous of other plugins, also i have Cla76,Cla -la2,Hcomp,SSL Channel strip,Vseries and SoftTube Clb...And the standard Digi plugins

Those are great tools! I would honestly track without the DBX, hitting the converters at a conservative level.

There are different approaches to different types of rap vocals, but I usually like something fast like the CLA76 (I use the Bluey one if not using the Softube FET compressor) to on a 4:1 ratio just dipping like 1-3 dB to smoothen out the dynamics a bit. If you got a limiter like the L1, you can throw it in before this fast comp doing every so slight peak reduction.. if needed.

Try following that by either the RVox doing a good amount of compression (to your taste) or the Softube CL1b going at 5-7 dB gain reduction with a 2-6'ish:1 ratio and slow attack/medium to fast release.

The V-Comp can actually do some really nice stuff as well (I also like the RS124 Abbey Road comp a lot), but they are tools that require quite a bit of getting-to-know them before they shine.

[atlantis]

Originally Posted by T. Gundersen

Those are great tools! I would honestly track without the DBX, hitting the converters at a conservative level.

There are different approaches to different types of rap vocals, but I usually like something fast like the CLA76 (I use the Bluey one if not using the Softube FET compressor) to on a 4:1 ratio just dipping like 1-3 dB to smoothen out the dynamics a bit. If you got a limiter like the L1, you can throw it in before this fast comp doing every so slight peak reduction.. if needed.

Try following that by either the RVox doing a good amount of compression (to your taste) or the Softube CL1b going at 5-7 dB gain reduction with a 2-6'ish:1 ratio and slow attack/medium to fast release.

The V-Comp can actually do some really nice stuff as well (I also like the RS124 Abbey Road comp a lot), but they are tools that require quite a bit of getting-to-know them before they shine.

Hey thanks for your insight. I will give that a try. Also whats your vocal chain.

[jruberto]

If the dbx is into any significant amount of gain reduction, i think it messes with the HF too much to be a good tool for recording vocals. Yep +1 on track it with no compression, handle any major level discrepancies with automation or editing, then get your Waves on.

But man, slam some kick drums or bass patches through your dbx, to me that's where the 160 shines..

[T. Gundersen]

Originally Posted by atlantis

Hey thanks for your insight. I will give that a try. Also whats your vocal chain.

Np! My vocal chain varies depending on what I can get my hands on, but for my own studio it is usually the Telefunken AK47 or Peluso VTB into the Chandler TG Channel. I should say that I do mostly pop-rap with lots of singers on the hooks and bridges. For some things I rent a Sony C800g, which is a mic that I like but is too expensive for me to justify having at the studio all the time, and for some rappers I actually use a SM7b. I rarely need anything but the Chandler TG Channel, but if I do, it is usually something like an Avalon (I'm not picky, I could also use something else that is clean).
Oddly, I have not really gotten onto the Neve'ish pre tip even though I really like what they do, but when I get the time I will be trying out the 1073 from whats-their-name... Vintech? Sorry, I forgot!

[atlantis]

Thanks for the insight guys...Im gonna do a test run and bypass the DBX160a and go directly into Pro Tools. And also im a try a differnt mic placement and see what that does.

[evilpeezy]

mane, that that m box out of the equation. DBX I had one blah....I mean slow attack slow release. 4:1 about 5 db of gain reduction. BUT that mbox is the weakest link. get a dedicated converter and i'm sure you will see higher defined vocals.

[s.d.finley]

the dbx 160a can be ok on rap vocals but one must ease up on the gain reduction or suffer the consequences of a spitty small vocal sound.

[e-are]

Originally Posted by jruberto

But man, slam some kick drums or bass patches through your dbx, to me that's where the 160 shines..

Especially using it in parallel on kik and snare.