After much pain, and self-doubt, I finally.......

hethaerto · 7th December 2004

....got the vocals on a mediocre punk band's trax to work.

This has been the most difficult project for me to date.

The singer is not a singer. So my job has been to mask the lack of vocal talent.

I duplicated the vocal track with about 12 ms of delay. Panned each track slightly off center, left and right, and now the vocals, magically, are listenable. I'm not sure why it worked, but the effect is definitely a keeper. Now I've got to get the levels right, and I'm finished! Sheeesh.
Allen

axeman69 · 7th December 2004

OK, you're Charlie.

altoidboy · 7th December 2004

There ya go. Thumbs up for creative solutions.

It probably worked because you got a slight chorusing effect, which can basically help in the process of masking a [lack of] pitch center. It can also make the vocals sound a little fuller.

Downside: they're gonna sound a little chorused, a little effect-y.

So now the challenge is to convince the band that the effect is COOL and "IN".

hethaerto · 8th December 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by altoidboy
There ya go. Thumbs up for creative solutions.

So now the challenge is to convince the band that the effect is COOL and "IN".

No kiddin'.
For some reason the "leader" wants the trax to sound as vintage as possible. In punk, I guess that means as shitty as possible. I personally can't live with the sound he wants, and I really don't want my name attached to something that might sound so bad.
But I feel confident I can sell this one, 'cause it does sound pretty cool.

Allen

drundall · 8th December 2004

Punk rock is generally more about attitude and delivery of clever lyrics than pitch and vocal prowess. If you're looking for pitch, you'll probably be very frutrated. I just leave it raw and try to make everything sound aggressive, then try to save my cringing for when nobody's looking...

JB3 · 8th December 2004

Post it!!!! Could be an experience we could all learn from...especially if you did a "pre" and "post"...

...J

hethaerto · 8th December 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by JB3
Post it!!!! Could be an experience we could all learn from...especially if you did a "pre" and "post"...

...J

I'd be glad to. Tell me how.
Allen

excellrec · 8th December 2004

just go to post a reply... and then under where you enter a message, it has the option to "attach file" browse for it on your hard drive.... and so forth.

Incidentaly the one and only time i've mixed punk, i found that doing the same thing was the best way to make the vocals bearable as well.

jho · 8th December 2004

there's always sansamp...

hethaerto · 8th December 2004

After recording this punk singer, I finally have decided to break down and buy an outboard compressor. A compressor would have really helped out with this kid's inability to control his own dynamics. Talking, then screaming, back and forth. Good grief. I'll try to post a before and after tomorrow.
Allen

Lee Knight · 8th December 2004

Did you pitch the delayed copies down -10 cents and up +10 cents as well? That can work out nice.

hethaerto · 8th December 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee Knight
Did you pitch the delayed copies down -10 cents and up +10 cents as well? That can work out nice.

No, just one straight copy with about 15 ms delay.
Pitch adjustment is a neat idea, though.
Allen

7th December 2004	#1
hethaerto Gear nut Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ridgecrest CA Posts: 123 Thread Starter	After much pain, and self-doubt, I finally....... ....got the vocals on a mediocre punk band's trax to work. This has been the most difficult project for me to date. The singer is not a singer. So my job has been to mask the lack of vocal talent. I duplicated the vocal track with about 12 ms of delay. Panned each track slightly off center, left and right, and now the vocals, magically, are listenable. I'm not sure why it worked, but the effect is definitely a keeper. Now I've got to get the levels right, and I'm finished! Sheeesh. Allen __________________ *I Make Demos, Bitch Studio* Let me turn your dreams into mud.

8th December 2004	#5
drundall Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 885	Punk rock is generally more about attitude and delivery of clever lyrics than pitch and vocal prowess. If you're looking for pitch, you'll probably be very frutrated. I just leave it raw and try to make everything sound aggressive, then try to save my cringing for when nobody's looking... __________________ "I know of several comparisons [right here on this board] where no one could tell the difference between a Martech pre-amp and a Behringer." - Fletcher Darian Rundall

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7th December 2004	#2
axeman69 Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Central Pa. Posts: 78	OK, you're Charlie.

7th December 2004	#3
altoidboy Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 80	There ya go. Thumbs up for creative solutions. It probably worked because you got a slight chorusing effect, which can basically help in the process of masking a [lack of] pitch center. It can also make the vocals sound a little fuller. Downside: they're gonna sound a little chorused, a little effect-y. So now the challenge is to convince the band that the effect is COOL and "IN".

8th December 2004	#6
JB3 Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: SoCali, USA Posts: 310	Post it!!!! Could be an experience we could all learn from...especially if you did a "pre" and "post"... ...J

8th December 2004	#8
excellrec Gear maniac Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: minneapolis Posts: 236	just go to post a reply... and then under where you enter a message, it has the option to "attach file" browse for it on your hard drive.... and so forth. Incidentaly the one and only time i've mixed punk, i found that doing the same thing was the best way to make the vocals bearable as well.

8th December 2004	#9
jho Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lowcountry Posts: 1,578	there's always sansamp...

8th December 2004	#11
Lee Knight Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Encinitas, CA Posts: 349	Did you pitch the delayed copies down -10 cents and up +10 cents as well? That can work out nice.