Vocal Distortion On Filter's "Hey Man, Nice Shot"

[84K]

Hey,

I am the biggest fan of creative use of distortion on vocals. One of my all time favs is Filter's "Hey Man, Nice Shot" in the hooks when he opens up. Anyone know what boxes and/or effects chain was used on that killer vocal? Thanks!

[dudleys100]

Ooh me too I would like to know this one if anyone knows for sure.

On another example, the distortion in maroon fives album was a mixture of an Altec 1567a and a distressor from what I understand.

[Infernal Device]

I love to distort everything. My favorite is an old SpectraSonics 610. When the red light is on, there is no plug-in that can do it as well!

The harder the singer yells, the more it distorts, such a beautiful thing.

Distressors work really well.

Kinda weird that units (distortion boxes) that are built to do it sound crappy, but units that are built for something totally different are the best!

[crypticglobe]

If I remember correctly... that record is pretty much as close to an advertisment for Pro Tools as you will get in a major label release. Sound Replacer, AMP Farm, Plug-in's... the whole works. I am pretty sure that record was done almost fully in the box. So..... it was probably a plug-in.

[Zwinter]

Originally Posted by crypticglobe

If I remember correctly... that record is pretty much as close to an advertisment for Pro Tools as you will get in a major label release. Sound Replacer, AMP Farm, Plug-in's... the whole works. I am pretty sure that record was done almost fully in the box. So..... it was probably a plug-in.

After working for Ben Grosse, the producer and engineer for that song/ album, my thought is that he wasn't using the "whole works". Without giving away all of Ben's secrets I will say that it was probably all hardware. So there was probably some sort of distortion box that was done parallel to the main VOX channel. As for what that box is and the settings I think I will leave that up to you guys to guess.

But I often do that same trick; I especially like it on BGV's. I don't use the same box as Ben; instead I use a Thermionic Culture "Culture Vulture". I also dig using the box for improving bass and guitar tones.

[andymixer]

The box is green.

[84K]

Thanks! I have used many different boxes. Spectrasonic's 610 is my favorite too. I also like the Landgraf pedal, drive on the moogerfooger delay, Cult Vult, and overdriving the input of the PCM 60.

[Zwinter]

Originally Posted by andymixer

The box is green.

[Blast9]

I had a track which Jules recorded. It was mixed by Brad Gilderman, and he told me he put my vox through a tube screamer, which I thought was cool. My tube screamer sounds awful, so have never tried it on vox However, just having it modded, so gonna give it a try.

My tube screamer is definitely green!

[mitchell]

Originally Posted by andymixer

The box is green.

easy... Shure Green Bullet mic>Joemeek mic pre>Focusrite Green series compressor>Ibanez Tube Screamer>Line 6 Delay Modeler. You'll sound just like Filter. It that doesn't work, try a a McDSP plug...

[CorkyTart]

If I understand correctly, it was a sans amp.

[Blast9]

My sansamp has a green LED

[C_F_H_13]

Originally Posted by Zwinter

After working for Ben Grosse, the producer and engineer for that song/ album, my thought is that he wasn't using the "whole works". Without giving away all of Ben's secrets I will say that it was probably all hardware. So there was probably some sort of distortion box that was done parallel to the main VOX channel. As for what that box is and the settings I think I will leave that up to you guys to guess.

But I often do that same trick; I especially like it on BGV's. I don't use the same box as Ben; instead I use a Thermionic Culture "Culture Vulture". I also dig using the box for improving bass and guitar tones.

As another former employee of Ben's I would have to agree. Ben may use PT, but all mixing/fx are outboard. His room is one of the best stocked mixing rooms I've ever been in.

[djui5]

Originally Posted by C_F_H_13

As another former employee of Ben's I would have to agree. Ben may use PT, but all mixing/fx are outboard. His room is one of the best stocked mixing rooms I've ever been in.

You mean he mixes hybrid, with outboard comps and fx?

BTW, if you can say, do you have any idea what he did with the drums on this song? It's my fav drum sound ever....

[C_F_H_13]

Originally Posted by djui5

You mean he mixes hybrid, with outboard comps and fx?

BTW, if you can say, do you have any idea what he did with the drums on this song? It's my fav drum sound ever....

He mixes completely outboard. www.themixroom.com

That's his studio. As far as the drums go, it's something I don't think I should talk about...sorry!

[everybody's x]

I know the poster was joking but a green bullet will get you there pretty easily.

I use a 421 into an old pentron tube mixer ala ross robinson myself

[Zwinter]

Originally Posted by C_F_H_13

He mixes completely outboard. www.themixroom.com

That's his studio. As far as the drums go, it's something I don't think I should talk about...sorry!

I totally agree! If you want to know how he gets his drum sounds you should get a job at the mix room and be prepared to work for little or no money for a couple of years and, hopefully, at some point you will be able to become his assistant.

[C_F_H_13]

Originally Posted by Zwinter

I totally agree! If you want to know how he gets his drum sounds you should get a job at the mix room and be prepared to work for little or no money for a couple of years and, hopefully, at some point you will be able to become his assistant.

exactly....and it really is little or no money...but the education was well worth it.

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by Zwinter

After working for Ben Grosse, the producer and engineer for that song/ album, my thought is that he wasn't using the "whole works". Without giving away all of Ben's secrets I will say that it was probably all hardware. So there was probably some sort of distortion box that was done parallel to the main VOX channel. As for what that box is and the settings I think I will leave that up to you guys to guess.

But I often do that same trick; I especially like it on BGV's. I don't use the same box as Ben; instead I use a Thermionic Culture "Culture Vulture". I also dig using the box for improving bass and guitar tones.

Cool. Good to know... other than the guitars (I just don't like Amp Farm) I always thought that record sounded too good to have been all in the box like I had heard.

I have read in at least half a dozen articles that almost ALL of the guitars were Amp Farm though... please don't tell me that's not true either??

For distorted vocals... I am very fond of going out of IBP-1 re-amp output, into one of my many, many distortion/fuzz (one of my favs is a Univox Super Fuzz... the original orange one!!) pedals, then into my fender bassman, then a silvertone 2 x 12 cabinet, then royer R121, then LTD-1 or TG-2, then Distressor on Nuke, back to a new track. Blend with original to taste.

It's great!

[djui5]

Originally Posted by Zwinter

I totally agree! If you want to know how he gets his drum sounds you should get a job at the mix room and be prepared to work for little or no money for a couple of years and, hopefully, at some point you will be able to become his assistant.

What are you talking about? I'm not some newb who can't get a good drum sound, I was asking about that one in perticular. How is working with him going to answer that question? I doubt he'll produce the same sound again (unless I get buddy buddy with this guy and ask him, which is not worth a 2 year internship by any means). I've never heard it anywhere else...

[everybody's x]

I have to think (hope?) that Zwinter was being facetious

[C_F_H_13]

Originally Posted by djui5

What are you talking about? I'm not some newb who can't get a good drum sound, I was asking about that one in perticular. How is working with him going to answer that question? I doubt he'll produce the same sound again (unless I get buddy buddy with this guy and ask him, which is not worth a 2 year internship by any means). I've never heard it anywhere else...

I don't think he meant any disrespect. I think, like myself, he doesn't feel comfortable spilling the beans on someone elses secrets.

[djui5]

Originally Posted by C_F_H_13

I don't think he meant any disrespect. I think, like myself, he doesn't feel comfortable spilling the beans on someone elses secrets.

I understand that. I never expected anyone to give away any secrets and is why I worded my inquiry the way I did. I just think the comment about interning/assisting for the guy was a little unfounded. Seems he mis-read or mis-interperted my question.

No worries

[Jeff16years]

Originally Posted by crypticglobe

For distorted vocals... I am very fond of going out of IBP-1 re-amp output, into one of my many, many distortion/fuzz (one of my favs is a Univox Super Fuzz... the original orange one!!) pedals, then into my fender bassman, then a silvertone 2 x 12 cabinet, then royer R121, then LTD-1 or TG-2, then Distressor on Nuke, back to a new track. Blend with original to taste.

It's great!

wow that's exaclty my signal chain.

[84K]

The "Hey Man, Nice Shot" drums are samples.

I would think he recorded the vocal with the effect or they had the idea in place. It doesn't sound like a mix thing to me, it sounds like part of the production. Could be wrong tho. ???

[Zwinter]

Originally Posted by djui5

I understand that. I never expected anyone to give away any secrets and is why I worded my inquiry the way I did. I just think the comment about interning/assisting for the guy was a little unfounded. Seems he mis-read or mis-interperted my question.

No worries

Sorry about my misinterpretation. I meant no disrespect with my reply. It was more meant to be a funny, yet sad reality of how most of us learned our craft.

That being said, I don't really feel comfortable posting about how Ben gets his drum sounds; he does some things that are pretty typical, but he also has tendencies that are unique to him.

[crypticglobe]

Originally Posted by Jeff16years

wow that's exaclty my signal chain.

Wow! Great minds think alilke I suppose!

[slaves666]

I started tracking my vocals with my U87 and a Green Bullet at the same time. Killer results and gives me more flexability in the mix process.

I will also add that I think the 2nd Filter record is the best.....by far. When I worked in LA I was fortunate enough to get a pre-master of the cd from a reprise employee...and it sounds completely different from the final cd. The Mastering engineer, I believe Weinberg, really contributes to the overall sound of the disc.

[djui5]

Originally Posted by Zwinter

Sorry about my misinterpretation. I meant no disrespect with my reply. It was more meant to be a funny, yet sad reality of how most of us learned our craft.

That being said, I don't really feel comfortable posting about how Ben gets his drum sounds; he does some things that are pretty typical, but he also has tendencies that are unique to him.

Ok