Doubling Vocals

SparkyCanada · 11th March 2006

Hi there.

I recently got an ad from Waves about their Vocal Doubler - and started to wonder how often doubling a vocal track is done.

I've read on this site about people doubling vocals the old fashioned way (have the singer sing the part twice).

I've been performing/recording for over 25 years & have yet to use this technique.

What sort of result are you striving for with a vocal track doubled?

Also - if it's used on a main vocal - would you use it on the harmony vocals as well?

Thanks,

SparkyCanada

Rush909 · 11th March 2006

I would say 80% of tracks of you hear on the radio have some sort of double used... most of the time it's mixed in very low behind the lead vocal....

doubles are often used to beef up the lead vocal much as you would double a guitar to "thicken it up"...

as usual there isn't one way to implement doubling... and sometimes it's used as an effect at which point it might be as loud or even louder than a lead vocal... sometimes you could hear leads stacked 4 times over or even more... depends on the song and production style...

same goes for harmonies... double or stack to taste....

r.

astronmr20 · 11th March 2006

Well,

You can do it to go for a doubled "sound" a-la Foo Fighters, most rap (especially eminem), etc. A lot of people doing it just do it to add some extra "thickness" and "depth" to the vocals. Give it a try with your singer next time. If I use it, I like to creep it in just a bit here and there.. on choruses, for impact. A lot is happening sonically when something as unique as a vocal take is recorded twice and both are up in the mix.

It can also sort of hide pitch issues. I think the best doubling is when it's barely noticed.. or not noticed... sort of like how I like my reverb plugins.

Steve

The True Buck · 11th March 2006

Quote:

A lot is happening sonically when something as unique as a vocal take is recorded twice and both are up in the mix.

It can also sort of hide pitch issues. I think the best doubling is when it's barely noticed.. or not noticed... sort of like how I like my reverb plugins.

I totally agree!!!

But get the doubler plugin aswell and add it to both/all tracks! There's nothing like a cheeseburger with extra cheese!

Less is less!!!

11th March 2006	#1
SparkyCanada Gear addict Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Saskatoon SK, Canada Posts: 346 Thread Starter	Doubling Vocals Hi there. I recently got an ad from Waves about their Vocal Doubler - and started to wonder how often doubling a vocal track is done. I've read on this site about people doubling vocals the old fashioned way (have the singer sing the part twice). I've been performing/recording for over 25 years & have yet to use this technique. What sort of result are you striving for with a vocal track doubled? Also - if it's used on a main vocal - would you use it on the harmony vocals as well? Thanks, SparkyCanada

11th March 2006	#3
astronmr20 Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 8,424	Well, You can do it to go for a doubled "sound" a-la Foo Fighters, most rap (especially eminem), etc. A lot of people doing it just do it to add some extra "thickness" and "depth" to the vocals. Give it a try with your singer next time. If I use it, I like to creep it in just a bit here and there.. on choruses, for impact. A lot is happening sonically when something as unique as a vocal take is recorded twice and both are up in the mix. It can also sort of hide pitch issues. I think the best doubling is when it's barely noticed.. or not noticed... sort of like how I like my reverb plugins. Steve __________________ Steve There are two kinds of light — the glow that illumines, and the glare that obscures. — James Thurber

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11th March 2006	#2
Rush909 Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 154	I would say 80% of tracks of you hear on the radio have some sort of double used... most of the time it's mixed in very low behind the lead vocal.... doubles are often used to beef up the lead vocal much as you would double a guitar to "thicken it up"... as usual there isn't one way to implement doubling... and sometimes it's used as an effect at which point it might be as loud or even louder than a lead vocal... sometimes you could hear leads stacked 4 times over or even more... depends on the song and production style... same goes for harmonies... double or stack to taste.... r.