Tips on Live Sound Engineering for a hip hop concert

[mikeon]

Well my group is deciding to have a concert, and its the first time we are doing something this big, I wanted to know what our backing tracks should consist of i.e an alternate mix of the songs we are going to perform, instrumentals & vocals. I want to know how our live tracks should be mixed for the concert compared to our CD stuff.

I also would like to know about the effects normally used on rap vocals, and levels of the different performers along with the music, the main rapper/singer has a louder level than the hypeman right ? And any more information I could get regarding live sound for a rap concert...

Thanks

[NorseHorse]

Well...

On your mix, since it's a big gig, I'd remix the songs. But when I say remix, I don't mean that you should do all the mixing over --- just edit the vocals. You don't want to look lame by singing along to the song as it is heard on mySpace complete with lead vocals. That makes you and your bros look like Ashley Simpson. You don't need to mess with any EQ, compression, etc. If it sounds good in the club on massive speakers, then it'll sound great for a live set on massive speakers as well.

Go back to the original track and bring down ALL the lead vocals. Take them completely out or drop them significantly. (Though having them in lightly can help provide a thicker texture and keep you on track.) Bring down the background vocals as well.

For the live mix, just use your ears. If you can't hear the main rapper, then turn him/her up. Or down the music down. Or turn the other mics down. If a hypeman is too loud, turn the fader down. Just use basic sensibilities. Make it sound like it is supposed to sound.

[huub]

And, pleaaaaaaase.. Don't cup the diaphragm with your hands...
Basically all rappers do this, and not only does it sound crap, it also makes your mic omni, and thus feedback..

[staudio]

Originally Posted by huub

And, pleaaaaaaase.. Don't cup the diaphragm with your hands...
Basically all rappers do this, and not only does it sound crap, it also makes your mic omni, and thus feedback..

This is a big problem with almost all untrained vocalists when they sing live.
Learn mic technique or you will sound bad!!!!

[mikeon]

hey thanks for the tips guys !

[Remoteness]

IMO, backing tracks usually consist of the parts that are not performed live.
Sometimes you may want to double track ( i.e track and live parts) but keep the backing tracks clean by avoiding a cluttered sounding mix.

If you have a lot of elements in the track consider mixing stems that are then balanced on location. Many artists we work with travel with a ProTools rig or a multi-track system of some sort for playback. It's a much better way to address each and every different venue they travel to.

Another reason why you may want to use a multi-track scenario instead of just stereo tracks is so that the drummer can have his or her own click track that they can balance for themselves.

With that said, I have worked with artists (with smaller budgets) that used an iPod or other stereo device which had the click on one track and mono backing tracks on the other. There's really nothing wrong with this as long as the mix is a killer mono mix.

With regard to the effects normally used on rap vocals, and their different levels and such, look at it this way -- You can mix the show exactly like you heard your favorite artist do it or you can mix it like you hear it. IMO, there are no rules.

[valleysound]

Off topic, but PLENTY of subwoofers!

[gonorrheaction]

I'm actually running sound for a hip hop show tonight, my only suggestion when doing live sound for hip hop is boost at 60Hz about 2db. that frequency in particular is really what the audience is wanting to hear, and will really get them into the show.