konradh
I don't think doubling is cheesy.  I like it.  I normally do this:
 
1.  Sing the vocal twice.  Use Melodyne to get them close but not exact in pitch and timing.  Pan them 40% to 60% left and right.  I think it is better if one isn't always ahead and one always behind in time, because that sounds less natural.
2.  You can use Craig's trick to simulate singing the track twice.
3.  I also have the Abbey Road Reel ADT plug in and it is really good.
 
Psycho-acoustics say that the track you hear first will always seem louder.
 
PS Visit my website to hear what the doubling sounds like.  I don't think it sounds as heavy as what some people do, but it is all relative.

The cheesy statement was a play on Cactus Music's post. I sometimes double my vocals, but I sing them twice as in your number 1 option. I just didn't like the way it was turning out with the way I was doing it. I'll look in the the ADT plug-in you mentioned for possible future applications.
 
BTW I visited your WEB site a couple months ago and I'll never go back...You're too good and I get depressed! I am getting better though. I listened to stuff I did 3 years ago and said to myself, "What was I thinking!"
 
Walt

konradh
1.  Sing the vocal twice. 

That we have been told is apparently not an option.
 
But if there is a chorus sung identically elsewhere, you could copy them under each other and try Vocal Sync.
Leave verses undoubled for variation.
 
But what I would really like to know is what was causing the effect?
 
If you go close to the speaker that is apparently "dead", do you then hear something?
 
I have heard recordings with this effect using two pipes made of concertina-like material, shortening one and lengthening the other. But that only worked with headphones or being right in between the speakers

jpetersen

konradh
1.  Sing the vocal twice. 

That we have been told is apparently not an option.

 
True, for this song.
 

jpetersen
 
But if there is a chorus sung identically elsewhere, you could copy them under each other and try Vocal Sync.

 
There are two choruses. We did one and copied it for the 2nd. My son's range went into compliance trying to get to the high notes, so after several takes on the 1st chorus, we caved and copied it.

jpetersen
Leave verses undoubled for variation.

The verses needed the most attention, since it had a fairly soft background. He sang harmony in the chorus so that helped out along with 6 brass instruments.

jpetersen
But what I would really like to know is what was causing the effect?

As somebody pointed out, it's the Haas effect.

jpetersen 
If you go close to the speaker that is apparently "dead", do you then hear something?...

The speaker was not dead, just reduced in perceived volume such that the vocal seemed located between Center and Hard Left.
 
Walt
 

>> As somebody pointed out, it's the Haas effect.
 
Really? On speakers? Well, well.
Thanks.

John T
One of the things I dislike, personally, about a lot of these techniques, is the way they make the positioning of the vocal kind of ambiguous. By having vocal dupes panned around, you often end up with a vocal that doesn't seem to sit anywhere in particular in the stereo field.

this is very true and a great point.
this is why I never, ever pan double vocal tracks.
for the exact reason you mentioned, it doesn't sit in the stereo field correctly and it tends to either bury other instruments / or stand out way too much.
 

If you use Melodyne you need to randomize pitch, formant and timing to achieve a great double track sound.

yorolpal
If you use Melodyne you need to randomize pitch, formant and timing to achieve a great double track sound.

Thanks I'm going to try that. I'm traveling right now, but will check it out when I get back. I was going to purchase Abbey Road Reel ADT Plug-In. Do you know if this method gives as good results?

Walt