The Basics Of Mixing Vocal Tracks
Some people think the keys to a killer vocal sound are kept in high-end studios, surrounded by vintage gear. While many great records got cut that way, that’s not exactly how it works anymore.
You can achieve a great vocal sound on a laptop, as long as you understand how all the moving parts work together. There’s no big secret. It’s just EQ, dynamics, and effects. Oh, and a killer performance of course.
Equalization
Most engineers chose to start by removing unwanted frequencies in the vocal recording, which is called Subtractive EQ. Additive EQ is when you boost certain frequencies.
Subtractive EQ is typically used to roll-off the subs, cut any muddiness in the low-mids, and notch out any nasty frequencies in the upper-midrange. When using subtractive EQ on a vocal, it’s usually best to use a high (or narrow) Q. This allows you to isolate problem areas without affecting the good parts.
Sometimes engineers call using aggressive subtractive EQ “doing surgery.” Well, surgery calls for the proper tools. Digital EQs like FabFilter Pro-Q 2 and Sonnox Oxford EQ offer great flexibility.
But, if you’re looking to add some analog vibe and character to your vocal recordings, you may pick up one of these hardware units or plug-in emulations.
This is an excerpt from an article originally posted on Vintage King. Read the full article here.
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