Singers singing out of time?

Jules · 22nd June 2002

The last two singers have had terible timing problems, VERY LATE!

It's like they are drunk or are doing a Frank Sinatra impersonation..

I asked em to wave ther hand in time, but to no avail...

In the end I had to hand move phrases in my DAW.

I have encountered this once before.. it turns my WHOLE production to sh!t. grudge

I could do a r mix and send that to them 50 ms early I suppose... what does anyone else do out there to cure this???

Dave Martin · 22nd June 2002

Jules,
Are you sure that they aren't singing that way intentionally? I'd suggest that you play them their performance - if they nod their heads and say, "Yeah that's it!", then look at other options (like a different singer) - if they say that it's horrible, or blame you for the phrasing of their vocals, then you'll at least know that they don't want it to be that way...

I've had fairly good luck using this method as an educational tool.

alphajerk · 23rd June 2002

it aint as bad as a drummer playing out of time

just nudge it and be done with it.

Jules · 23rd June 2002

Its an ear / brain / mouth problem..

As my assistant observed "he wasn't as bad as that on the guide vocals..."

alphajerk · 23rd June 2002

Quote:

Originally posted by Jules
Its an ear / brain / mouth problem..

As my assistant observed "he wasn't as bad as that on the guide vocals..."

vocalign it to the guide vox.

Jules · 23rd June 2002

Good point!

I wish I had thought of that at the time!

davet · 26th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

The last two singers have had terible timing problems, VERY LATE!

I've encountered this many times with singers and instrumentalist. When I point this out during playback I'm often told by the artist that the timing was intentional. I've also corrected timing issues by nudging the note where I think it should be. Been called on the carpet for that move too!! So, I do my level best to play and sing with proper timing. Other's don't..
DaveT

Sqye · 26th March 2007

..

my broker has the same problem with her market timing coordination...

good luck getting it right....obviously, this problem is as old as the hills.....

...

Jazzpunk · 26th March 2007

I don't think there is a way to cure it on the production side (other than rescheduling the session if you feel alcohol, drugs or fatigue may be influencing the timing problem) but Melodyne will cure it on the back end. It really is an amazing program.

flail19 · 26th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzpunk

I don't think there is a way to cure it on the production side (other than rescheduling the session if you feel alcohol, drugs or fatigue may be influencing the timing problem) but Melodyne will cure it on the back end. It really is an amazing program.

It's simple. Use a combination of alcohol and speed to mix until the artist is in time. This will resolve everything.

Sqye · 26th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by flail19

It's simple. Use a combination of alcohol and speed to mix until the artist is in time. This will resolve everything.

..

lol...how true...

..

Bo Jorgen · 26th March 2007

I have this problem myself. It's like I must hear the music before I open my mouth. Or I have this idea of a groove... Or the notion that dead on the beat-vocals/melody is mechanical sounding and boring. But it's not.

I've tried to clear my system by listening to Lindsey Buckingham's vocals on Rumours. He's always pushing it slightly before the beat, adding excitement and eagerness to the song.

Sometimes (for me) it helps with the click high in the mix. Some of us just can't groove and we sound better not doing it.

Phil Cibley · 26th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules

The last two singers have had terible timing problems, VERY LATE!

It worked for Billie Holiday.

Musiclab · 26th March 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphajerk

it aint as bad as a drummer playing out of time

just nudge it and be done with it.

Vocalist who rush and sing sharp are pretty painful

Blindside · 26th March 2007

Try recording a solo artist who can't play to a click track. Not much more fun, I assume.

I know a guy who wants me to record him playing guitars, drums, bass, and vocals for these songs that he has written. The thing is, he can go with the click for maybe two bars, but then it's like it's not even there or it distracts him, and he has this nagging dragging (ha) problem, so when there's no click, the song slows down horribly. Last time I tried I had to pretend my girlfriend was sick and I had to go just to get him to leave. Geez. Hopeless. Should I tell him I'll perform all his freaking parts or what?

22nd June 2002	#1
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Joined: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK Posts: 17,808 Thread Starter 1 Review written	Singers singing out of time? The last two singers have had terible timing problems, VERY LATE! It's like they are drunk or are doing a Frank Sinatra impersonation.. I asked em to wave ther hand in time, but to no avail... In the end I had to hand move phrases in my DAW. I have encountered this once before.. it turns my WHOLE production to sh!t. grudge I could do a r mix and send that to them 50 ms early I suppose... what does anyone else do out there to cure this??? __________________ Jules Add your reviews to the new reviews area! Gearslutz on Facebook Follow my GS picks on Twitter

22nd June 2002	#2
Dave Martin Moderator emeritus Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 3,152	Jules, Are you sure that they aren't singing that way intentionally? I'd suggest that you play them their performance - if they nod their heads and say, "Yeah that's it!", then look at other options (like a different singer) - if they say that it's horrible, or blame you for the phrasing of their vocals, then you'll at least know that they don't want it to be that way... I've had fairly good luck using this method as an educational tool. __________________ Dave Martin Java Jive Studio www.javajivestudio.com Nashville, TN

26th March 2007	#8
Sqye Gear Guru Joined: Aug 2005 Location: underground railroad Posts: 13,394	.. my broker has the same problem with her market timing coordination... good luck getting it right....obviously, this problem is as old as the hills..... ... __________________ Sqye (Sky) ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Music 4 Film+TV+Web:::::: Wired Planet::::::Buddha Studio Cat i7 + RME UFX + Linkwitz Orions + Tyler Acoustics Linbrooks + Buzz Audio Arc + GT-67 + Sonar + Komplete + Omnisphere-Trilian-Stylus + Symphobia

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23rd June 2002	#3
alphajerk There is only one Joined: Jun 2002 Location: asheville NC Posts: 5,260	it aint as bad as a drummer playing out of time just nudge it and be done with it.

26th March 2007	#9
Jazzpunk Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,781	I don't think there is a way to cure it on the production side (other than rescheduling the session if you feel alcohol, drugs or fatigue may be influencing the timing problem) but Melodyne will cure it on the back end. It really is an amazing program.

26th March 2007	#12
Bo Jorgen Gear nut Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Stockholm Posts: 142	I have this problem myself. It's like I must hear the music before I open my mouth. Or I have this idea of a groove... Or the notion that dead on the beat-vocals/melody is mechanical sounding and boring. But it's not. I've tried to clear my system by listening to Lindsey Buckingham's vocals on Rumours. He's always pushing it slightly before the beat, adding excitement and eagerness to the song. Sometimes (for me) it helps with the click high in the mix. Some of us just can't groove and we sound better not doing it.

26th March 2007	#15
Blindside Gear addict Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 485	Try recording a solo artist who can't play to a click track. Not much more fun, I assume. I know a guy who wants me to record him playing guitars, drums, bass, and vocals for these songs that he has written. The thing is, he can go with the click for maybe two bars, but then it's like it's not even there or it distracts him, and he has this nagging dragging (ha) problem, so when there's no click, the song slows down horribly. Last time I tried I had to pretend my girlfriend was sick and I had to go just to get him to leave. Geez. Hopeless. Should I tell him I'll perform all his freaking parts or what?