OK I need to record a singer who is bringing in some karaoke tracks. I have never done this so I am a bit clueless. Any help is appreciated.
 
I do not know what kind of tracks she is bringing in so that is a separate issue I will find out later.
 
For now, how do you make this work? You have an mp3 or some ripped audio imported into Sonar on one track and then the singer sings along. How do you make that sound good? It's just a voice on top of some music and will be either too far out or too far back? How do you find the right reverb, etc?
 
Any help is appreciated as this could lead to original recordings if she likes this work which is what I'm hoping for.
 
Thanks much!

For the DAW operator it is simply another over dub in a multi track process.

As you have suggested, import the music into SONAR. Set up another track and get it record ready. Get you monitoring set up to your satisfaction.

Press record.

Then mix to taste... it's the perfect way to learn how to think about EQ, compression and level balance.

Listen carefully and conjure up your instincts using every thing you've ever listened to to inform your decisions and then make small adjustements until you are happy.

If you share some reverb and maybe some mild compression on a bus for all the content it can have the effect of "gluing" the performances together so that they seem to have been done by a unified band.

Have fun.


best regards,
mike

That would be one of the easier things to mix as I see it since the band arrangement is already finished. It's not much different from what you would normally do except the band mix is done. 

All you need to do is record the vocals and put them on the mix.  A touch of reverb to soften the vocals, maybe some EQ to get them sounding good...... pitch correction as needed......and they should fit pretty well into the mix.

 It's mainly about the levels. 

From my experience with these pre mixed backing trcks, the have usually already been brought up to level and limited, so my suggestion would be go easy on the comping and limiting of the BT. Consequently, the vocal will require a bit of compression in order to sit in the mix dynamically and sound like it belongs. The same is true for reverb. The BT will likely be a little wet, so the vocal will liekly need some to be as well in order to get inside. If the BT is a good one, there will be a "vacancy" for the vocal to fit into. Once the mix is together, around 1 to 2 dB of compression on the mix buss really helps to bind it up. The final limiter can help with this too, but can crush too much with adverse effect. Remember the backing track will probably already be limited. HTH.

Depending on the quality of backing track, I have found that there is a need to EQ the track in order to "fit" the VOX into mix. 


And, as already been mentioned, some compression is needed.

I have also found that the BT could be somewhat "dry" and needs bit of reverb added. Of course, depending on the BT.

M@ B


 If the BT is a good one, there will be a "vacancy" for the vocal to fit into.

Thanks kindly for the responses, sorry I dropped off the thread but I woke up yesterday coverred in poison ivy burns. The client arrives in an hour and she is headed for a bit of a visual shock.
 
 
Anyway, that is what I was wondering per the tracks if there was any space in them to insert a vocal? So the responses are dead on and will help clarify this much and I appreciate them.
 
I will see the quality of her tracks and then take it from there.
 
Thanks again, beware the evil 3-leafed weed, it can look like anything, especially when your clearing land and not looking for it.

Poison ivy is some real nasty stuff. I've been infested 4 or 5 times. It looked like i got splashed with acid. Prescription strength hydrocotisone does the trick and benedril for the itching. 'Ivy Dry' works very well, but only after the bubbles begin to break and ooze (around a week+ after exposure). Good luck w/ that. What song is she covering? I might be able to find a BT of it and give you the link to see if you might like it.

M@ B


Poison ivy is some real nasty stuff. I've been infested 4 or 5 times. It looked like i got splashed with acid. Prescription strength hydrocotisone does the trick and benedril for the itching. 'Ivy Dry' works very well, but only after the bubbles begin to break and ooze (around a week+ after exposure). Good luck w/ that. What song is she covering? I might be able to find a BT of it and give you the link to see if you might like it.

She is covering tracks from The Band Perry.
 
We decided to do a couple of karaoke versions, then a live version with my acoustic guitar and then produce an original of hers. So I'm happy with the direction the project is taking.
 
I'm waiting to hear back from her per the exact 2 songs she will select. She indicated iTunes has backing tracks but I don't know.
 
Yeah I have the splashed with acid look, chest, arms and legs, oozing and all. I'll look for some hydrocortisone tomorrow, I've been using caldryl. Not fun.
 
Thank you again!