How to get this vocal sound?

Discussion in 'Working with Sound' started by Zenarcist, Apr 14, 2015.

  1. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

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    OK first up this is not my kind of music! But I am pretty handy with chord progressions and melody, so the basic ideas can be moved around the different genres.

    Secondly, this singer is looking for songs on a music site I frequent https://www.inmusik.co/news.php?news_id=426

    But this is not my purpose. An old friend of mine who is a really good musician has been tasked to help out some soap-opera type girls to get some commercial sounding songs together. I'm interested because it involves some international travel .. and girls! I only cited this example as it popped up in my web feed, and it seems like a good fit to what my friend would be hoping to achieve.

    I'm basically an old school type of guy dabbling in alternative rock, post punk, acoustic, synth pop etc, so this vocal style is a bit alien to me.

    Anyway, audiosex is my first port of call as I know you guys on here are the best for giving out great advice :mates:

    Here is an example song from the artist mentioned above, and feel free to pitch your own songs via that website if this style is your bag :wink:


     
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  3. Baxter

    Baxter Audiosexual

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    Double-track (or more) the choruses. Pop!
     
  4. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

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    Isn't there some aututune thing going on with some heavy vocal processing? My usual recording chain is pop shield > valve mic > compressor > pre > converters > ITB delay/reverb/fx.
     
  5. Baxter

    Baxter Audiosexual

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    It's not needed if the vocalist is good, and you record as good takes as possible. The autotune actually kills the natural chorus that the double-tracking offers.

    The "signal chain discussion" can be endless. No need to go there. These days you just need a good vocal booth, large diaphragm condenser, pop killer, good preamp (with some low-cut, gentle compression, etc) and a good vocalist.
    Once ITB, you can do a helluva lot more.
     
  6. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

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    I clearly need to get on top of this before I show up in front of some wannabe celebs with my shiny new ideas :bleh:

    My melodies are good, but the production needs to be trendy and modern sounding. I'll try to stay in the background as much as possible to avoid looking like an idiot :)

    Keep the tips rolling :wink:
     
  7. lisapower

    lisapower Member

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    You are right! :wink: , there is also Autotune been used in the track!
     
  8. lasteno

    lasteno Platinum Record

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    oo god... what a terrible song... the mix dosen-t really matters much my friend.. I mean
    having a good mix is ok.. it is about THE SONG.. the compotition the arregments.. the feeling... etc..
    but this kind of vocals are really Terrible for my Ears..
    Very Very Commercial.. NO BRAINS. Music for The MASSES.. nothing more.. but Stupid MUsic.

    sorry it is the truth.. that kind of songs come and go like potatos..
     
  9. jayhind

    jayhind Ultrasonic

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    In my opinion, the Autotune/Melodyne usage here is for necessity and for tightening/quantization of vocals. The rest of the chain is simple but you have got to keep on switching to two or three different chains for different parts of the song.

    Opening verse's first line has your usual centered compressor/eq/exciter going into a delay
    The second line is double tracked (different takes panned left, right and center) without delay
    Third one is wide with multiple layers panned. The low-octave harmony is centered.

    The chorus is also multilayered with harmonies.

    The second verse is like the first line of verse 1.
     
  10. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

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    Now we are talking :wink: Do you know of any tutorials for this kind of thing?
     
  11. Baxter

    Baxter Audiosexual

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    I'm sure Pensado's Place has a few.
    Also, these things come with experiance and actual work in the studio, usually not from tutorials. You get alot better if you actually experiment and record vocalists IRL.
     
  12. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

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    I do record vocals, but the old way :rofl: I just need the 'recipe' to get started, and then do some experimentation :wink: It seems to be a set formula that everybody is using.
     
  13. jayhind

    jayhind Ultrasonic

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    I agree with Baxter. You should be able to identify and recognize the recipes yourself which of course comes with time and experience.

    But anyway, here is a tutorial that might be helpful:

    Music Production w/ Pro Tools Vol 1 - Pop
     
  14. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

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    Thanks for the link.

    I am absolutely not a fan of this kind of music. The vocals sound unnatural to my ears, and like I said I'm from the old-skool when it comes to recording vocals :grooves: I'm just looking for a quick overview to fast-track me to where I need to be soundwise, so I have some idea what is going on. If it wasn't for the chance to catch up with an old buddy I wouldn't bother with any of this stuff :sad:
     
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