fitzj
Max Output Level: -61 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1487
- Joined: 2005/10/13 11:56:37
- Status: offline
Leveling out vocals
Some of the words and song parts are higher in level than others. What is the best way to level out vocals.
|
Lanceindastudio
Max Output Level: -29 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4604
- Joined: 2004/01/22 02:28:30
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 05:02:47
(permalink)
use a compressor and clip and/or track volume envelopes
Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS Motherboard i7 3770k CPU 32 gigs RAM Presonus AudioBox iTwo Windows 10 64 bit, SONAR PLATINUM 64 bit Lots of plugins and softsynths and one shot samples, loops Gauge ECM-87, MCA SP-1, Alesis AM51 Presonus Eureka Mackie HR824's and matching subwoofer
|
Silence Dogood
Max Output Level: -82 dBFS
- Total Posts : 434
- Joined: 2007/04/28 16:46:07
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 06:16:36
(permalink)
yup, on the vocal track... click on the FX bin area, and select "add audio FX". Pick the Sonitus compressor, try a few of the presets there. You'll figger something out, and yes, your vocal will sit more consistently in the mix that way. This is an extremely common practice.
If at first you don't succeed, keep sucking 'till you do succeed! ("Curly" Howard)
|
Wiz
Max Output Level: -77 dBFS
- Total Posts : 699
- Joined: 2006/04/29 22:20:47
- Location: Bundaberg Australia
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 06:41:58
(permalink)
Try automating the volume levels with track envelopes...
It takes time but you will be rewarded with a great vocal sound...
Dont always reach for the compressor, when fader moves via automation envelopes are so easy to do in Sonar..
cheers
Wiz
|
dappa1
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2949
- Joined: 2007/02/26 04:18:57
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 07:01:47
(permalink)
How does that all work. just click in fx bin and what, wait for a miracle? somebody please expand!!!
|
jamesg1213
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 21760
- Joined: 2006/04/18 14:42:48
- Location: SW Scotland
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 07:10:18
(permalink)
Dont always reach for the compressor, when fader moves via automation envelopes are so easy to do in Sonar.. Agreed. A little light compression on the way in is usually good, but volume envelopes are the answer to get the vocals to ride above the music nicely.
Jyemz Thrombold's Patented Brisk Weather Pantaloonettes with Inclementometer
|
skullsession
Max Output Level: -57.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1765
- Joined: 2006/12/05 10:32:06
- Location: Houston, TX, USA
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 07:12:03
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: Dappa1
How does that all work. just click in fx bin and what, wait for a miracle? somebody please expand!!!
I've been expanding for years. 
HOOK: Skullsessions.com / Darwins God Album "Without a doubt I would have far greater listening and aural skills than most of the forum members here. Not all but many I am sure....I have done more listening than most people." - Jeff Evans on how awesome Jeff Evans is.
|
Lanceindastudio
Max Output Level: -29 dBFS
- Total Posts : 4604
- Joined: 2004/01/22 02:28:30
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 07:25:17
(permalink)
ok, in effects been is where ya right click and pick effect....
PICK sonitus compressor....
I recommend trying teletronix to really control it.
Or, actually be more like me! Pick V64 plugin and then pick the preset in it called "fat vocal"....
after selecting presets mess with plugin settings. You know how compression works? search it here.
There are no rules, just ears, experience, and knowledge learned by them... compressor and envelopes on clips are your friend . Read your manual more man. You have to figure out on your own what envelope and effects bin and MUSIC IS! :)
Good Luck, Lance
Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS Motherboard i7 3770k CPU 32 gigs RAM Presonus AudioBox iTwo Windows 10 64 bit, SONAR PLATINUM 64 bit Lots of plugins and softsynths and one shot samples, loops Gauge ECM-87, MCA SP-1, Alesis AM51 Presonus Eureka Mackie HR824's and matching subwoofer
|
dappa1
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2949
- Joined: 2007/02/26 04:18:57
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 08:44:18
(permalink)
|
LOSANO
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 195
- Joined: 2007/09/21 10:24:41
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 08:48:56
(permalink)
I am experiencing the samething, and at the end some part of my clip sound distorded. I though that it was only me who was facing this issue. Thanks for the posting, and thanks you guys for showing us how to fix it.
|
dappa1
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2949
- Joined: 2007/02/26 04:18:57
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 13:10:46
(permalink)
I use the affects bin quite alot. I would say that I have good ears and I am quite good at mixing. Only problem I have recently experienced is the different levels when laying down Vocals.
Thanks all the same lanceindastudio. I will try o be more like you, but as usual that probably will not work. But I will use the sonitus and see if I can even out the levels. thanks. This issue for me is really minor but I usually find a work around.
|
DumbKidFromHell
Max Output Level: -79 dBFS
- Total Posts : 598
- Joined: 2005/06/09 22:22:51
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 13:35:29
(permalink)
An alternative to volume envelopes is to use the dynamics control in V-Vocal. Works great.
|
wishus
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
- Total Posts : 159
- Joined: 2007/06/19 11:21:54
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 15:32:38
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: Dappa1
How does that all work. just click in fx bin and what, wait for a miracle? somebody please expand!!!
No, an expander increases dynamic range. You want to compress, which reduces dynamic range. Joking aside, if you're talking about enitre parts (like 2nd chorus) being too soft, you want to make a volume envelope on that track.
|
dappa1
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2949
- Joined: 2007/02/26 04:18:57
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 17:08:30
(permalink)
I see ask a question and be ridiculed. to be honest I dont know anyone in here so if I ask a question or not it is not going to stop me from coming here, neve if my gnilleps is not tcerroc.
|
mcourter
Max Output Level: -41 dBFS
- Total Posts : 3442
- Joined: 2006/02/27 16:57:11
- Location: Los Angeles area
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 17:21:17
(permalink)
Dappa, to use a volume envelope: right click on the track>create envelope>volume
A few guitars, a couple of basses, a MIDI controller, a mandolin, a banjo, a mic, PodFarm2 Unbridled Enthusiasm My music: www.Soundclick.com/markcourter
|
dappa1
Max Output Level: -46 dBFS
- Total Posts : 2949
- Joined: 2007/02/26 04:18:57
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/10/30 18:00:30
(permalink)
|
bennisixx
Max Output Level: -88 dBFS
- Total Posts : 137
- Joined: 2007/10/27 00:48:53
- Location: USA
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/19 01:23:18
(permalink)
research compression- google it or what ever or read old posts here -envlopesgate/eq/delay/reverb etc all a long journey --- mixing... good god where has the time gone?
take your time have fun
|
themidiroom
Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1170
- Joined: 2004/01/21 11:41:56
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/19 11:14:37
(permalink)
I use volume envelopes/automation quite a bit on vocals however, I always use compression because it helps smooth things out and keeps it sounding natural. I will say the better the vocalist, the less I need to ride the gain. Experienced vocalists tend to know how to "work" the mic better thus less dramatic dynamics.
|
skullsession
Max Output Level: -57.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1765
- Joined: 2006/12/05 10:32:06
- Location: Houston, TX, USA
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/19 11:27:34
(permalink)
Since this one's been brought back from the dead....
There is also some reward to multiple levels of compression as well. By that, I mean, light compression on the track itself. Feed that all through a vocal bus which also has light compression on it. Which might even be fed through the master bus - which might also have compression on it.
Sometimes....stacking compression can do wonders - where one instance of a heavy compression might do damage.
HOOK: Skullsessions.com / Darwins God Album "Without a doubt I would have far greater listening and aural skills than most of the forum members here. Not all but many I am sure....I have done more listening than most people." - Jeff Evans on how awesome Jeff Evans is.
|
themidiroom
Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1170
- Joined: 2004/01/21 11:41:56
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/19 11:47:00
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: skullsession
There is also some reward to multiple levels of compression as well. By that, I mean, light compression on the track itself. Sometimes....stacking compression can do wonders - where one instance of a heavy compression might do damage.
+1 Great point!
|
ru
Max Output Level: -79 dBFS
- Total Posts : 555
- Joined: 2007/09/18 14:31:36
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/19 13:44:12
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: Dappa1
I see ask a question and be ridiculed. to be honest I dont know anyone in here so if I ask a question or not it is not going to stop me from coming here, neve if my gnilleps is not tcerroc.
How does that all work. just click in fx bin and what, wait for a miracle? somebody please expand!!! i, for one, thought you were joking. the way you put it made me laugh. i'd use a clip gain envelope to start. address the situation near the source. a clip gain adjustment is pre-fx. then use as little compression as possible. after all, dynamic range is one of the most expressive elements of singing.
|
themidiroom
Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1170
- Joined: 2004/01/21 11:41:56
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/20 11:26:04
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: ru
i'd use a clip gain envelope to start. address the situation near the source. a clip gain adjustment is pre-fx.
then use as little compression as possible. after all, dynamic range is one of the most expressive elements of singing.
Maybe I don't understand but doesn't a clip gain adjustment also affect the dynamic range?
|
bpclark
Max Output Level: -85 dBFS
- Total Posts : 275
- Joined: 2003/11/06 21:08:16
- Location: Gettysburg, OH
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/20 12:11:21
(permalink)
I think you're correct midi, but I think ru was trying to make the point that with an envelope you can precisely correct specific issues so that dynamic range isn't squished universally like you get with "enthusiastic" compression. ORIGINAL: themidiroom
ORIGINAL: ru
i'd use a clip gain envelope to start. address the situation near the source. a clip gain adjustment is pre-fx.
then use as little compression as possible. after all, dynamic range is one of the most expressive elements of singing.
Maybe I don't understand but doesn't a clip gain adjustment also affect the dynamic range?
|
ru
Max Output Level: -79 dBFS
- Total Posts : 555
- Joined: 2007/09/18 14:31:36
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/20 13:30:20
(permalink)
yes. thanks, bpclark.
sometimes a part has to be delivered just so to get the right effect; at a whisper, for example. you can bring that bit up to usable levels and retain the feel you wanted before applying compression.
i hear a lot of songs lately where the vocal (and probably everything else) is just a perfectly even line. expressive dynamic range is not even a factor, it seems. then i listen to a good recording of say, faye wong, and am captivated by her subtlety and nuance; the gracefulness of the arrangement and production built around her voice.
|
themidiroom
Max Output Level: -67 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1170
- Joined: 2004/01/21 11:41:56
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/20 14:14:12
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: ru
yes. thanks, bpclark.
sometimes a part has to be delivered just so to get the right effect; at a whisper, for example. you can bring that bit up to usable levels and retain the feel you wanted before applying compression.
i hear a lot of songs lately where the vocal (and probably everything else) is just a perfectly even line. expressive dynamic range is not even a factor, it seems. then i listen to a good recording of say, faye wong, and am captivated by her subtlety and nuance; the gracefulness of the arrangement and production built around her voice.
Point taken. Compression should be used tastefully unless you are going for a particular effect. The vast majority of talent I work with are really good at working the mic and creating good dynamics without getting out of hand.
|
uncleswede
Max Output Level: -78 dBFS
- Total Posts : 638
- Joined: 2005/06/06 12:53:08
- Location: Essex, UK
- Status: offline
RE: Leveling out vocals
2007/11/21 08:22:03
(permalink)
For some other interesting info re: compression & limiting see this Sonar Home Studio forum link Turn me up!
--------------------------------------------------------- How to fly - throw yourself at the ground and miss S8.5PE, i7-920 (XP), 6Gb RAM, Phonic Helix 12, Axiom 61 controller, JM VC3Q and mic, plus more...
|