taming the dynamics [recording vocals pt 6]

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Taming The Dynamics [Recording Vocals Pt 6]

http://homerecordinghome.com/taming-the-dynamics/

http://homerecordinghome.com/


You might not realize just how uneven your vocal tracks are until you

tame the dynamics. Although you've been getting professional sounds

the entire time, but it takes more than that to shine in the world of

modern recording.

What you're looking for on records is usually very artificial, in the

sense that we apply lots of processing and mixing to make them

sound amazing.



All Over the Place

The first step in mixing voices is evening

out the dynamics. When recorded, the

dynamics of voices are problematic.

The problem is that the voice is just not consistent, and establishing a

volume for it in the mix is difficult. Unless you sacrifice some of the

minute dynamism that exists from syllable to syllable.

Image © Sergiu Bacioiu via Compfight


http://www.flickr.com/photos/31191642@N05/4664215911/



http://www.compfight.com/


Ride the Fader

The first step in that process is riding the fader when the engineer

played the studio equipment like an instrument.

It's a classic technique, and is still has a place in studios. Start by

tracing the lower edge of the waveform, and then listen to the track a

little to see if the automation is successful.



Compression

Compression is one of the most used tools in post-production and one

of the least understood by beginning producers. It is a tool that

controls the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds in a

signal. By decreasing the level of the loudest parts of a signal, you are

able to hear more of the signal at a consistent level.



There are some universal parameters of compression that you need to

understand:

Threshold -- This is the signal level above which the compressor

starts to work.

Ratio -- Ratio refers to the amount of attenuation that happens above

the threshold.



Attack -- Attack refers to the speed at which the compressor acts on a

signal.

Release -- This is the amount of time it takes for a compressor to

return to inactivity after the signal drops below the threshold.

The way you compress a lead vocal is largely dependent on the style

of music and the voice that you are treating.



There are several reasons to use compression:

Increasing the "volume" of the voice -- If you're having a hard time

hearing the vocals in the mix, compression will bring the peaks down a

little.

The Singer Has Poor Control -- Compression can mitigate some of

the volume inconsistencies and it won't change the quality of the

performance, but it can make it more audible.

Special Effects -- It offers a world of saturation and color, not just

dynamics management.



Some rules of thumb for using compression:

Don't Overdo It -- Just let the signal kiss the compressor slightly, to

retain a natural sound.

Don't Rely on Your Eyes -- If the results don't agree with your ears,

then adjust.

Think Small, Aim Big -- Rather than compressing a signal to death,

try adding small amounts at a time.



Here are the basic steps to using a single compressor to treat

vocals…

1) Set the Attack between 0-3 milliseconds.

2) Set the Release somewhere in the range

of 200 milliseconds.

3) Set the Ratio somewhere between 3:1

and 7:1.

4) Starting with the threshold down around

-50 dB, gradually increase the threshold.



Halfway There

You have to break away from these rules and try it out for yourself. A

good producer learns how to use compression and then applies it

differently every time.



Taming The Dynamics [Recording Vocals Pt 6]

http://homerecordinghome.com/taming-the-dynamics/


taming the dynamics [recording vocals pt 6]

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