Passion Lost on Vocals In Production - What is the cause?

Guys,

I've struggled with something for awhile. That is, maintaining the vibrance or passion expressed during recording all the way through production.

I've had a couple of people who watched me record say that the live instance sounded better and that my passion isn't captured.

Now, I show you the most recent example. Let me say first, I was actually very happy with how this came out, but I do admit, through some of the throaty parts, it seems to thin out and be a mere reflection of what was being done rather than a reproduction of it. So I'm not sure the cause.

Let's talk gear,

For vocals, which is all I'm really concerned about here, I have a bluebird condenser mic, 4-500 dollar range going to an ART, Studio V3, going to an emu0404 then into Sonar Producer 8.5. I put a Sonitus eq and compressor on the vox channel. Not super hard compression, but a fair amount. In the eq, (from memory of the graphic) I think that I dropped a little at 800 and popped 1k and 5k. I wanted a live feel.

Here's the recording. Is anyone willing to take a listen and help me out?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDYVbecw_jI

I totally agree. that's the part I'm talking about. It just thins out. Live, it doesn't sound like that. 

I've overdriven the art before and it's quite annoying...I'm still working out the gain structure on them to be useful. I added them about a 1year ago and they certainly added a lot of warmth to the sound. Not so tinny and digital anymore...but they are VERY easy to overdrive. Like I said, I'm trying to figure out the gain structure so that they are loud enough to get the full tube engaged, but not so loud they capture every click and pop or overdrive. They have a built in limiter and compressor, so that squashes it some before it even get's to the interface.
Which leads me to my next question, how much of the overall volume be determined by the compressor? I say that because the sound jumps prolly 6db when it's on. Makes me wonder if I turned up the gain a little bit on the art and less compressor that maybe the strained part would reproduce what the live sound.


Does that makes sense?

This sounds to me like the problem you're having is that your voice obviously thins out in that higher register.  No biggie.

This actually sounds to me like you're working the mic too much.  That is...moving away too much during the more powerful parts.

In fact, try moving closer to the mic - or just stay where you are -  to take advantage of the proximity effect on the higer register stuff.  You'll have to set up your front end levels up so that they don't peak on the loudest parts.

Using front-end hardware compression also help to keep these parts "fuller".

Just my two cents.

I LOVE that Chris Cornell version of this song....

The easiest way is to simply setup your front end so that you DON'T clip on the loudest parts while staying on the mic - to take advantage of the proximity effect.  Simple as that.

You could apply compression and or automation in the box after the fact to smooth out the performance.

I actually prefer to use hardware compression on the way in - simply because I like the way it sounds.  While doing this, I also am sure to setup the track so that I'm metering based on the LOUDEST section, not the average section.  I don't like clipping on the way in either....thus....I PEAK at about -12 on the loudest sections.  I'd REALLY have to let something crazy fly to ever clip.

Take clipping out of the equation right away by tracking lower.  Stay on the mic so that the tonal quality of the vocal doesn't change when you back off or get off axis.

You kinda look like Paul Jr.....

I find too that I tend to back off on the louder notes at times...allowing a weakening of my voice.... that translates the same way as a loss of energy or momentum in singing.

Usually I will do a few takes to warm up and go for it with record on the 4th one or so..... You have to stay focused and stay INTO the song or it's too easy to let the feeling slip...even for a second.

Since I sing mostly in my studio I do not have the energy feedback of the live audience pushing me. Therefore I must push myself to stay " in the moment ".

Interesting take on the song BTW..... the backing guitar reminded me of House of the Rising Sun.