Why do vocals on musical releases sound so good but the opposite on your productions? The answer is that a mix engineer has processed the vocal tracks to get them sounding better. Mind you, there's no magic happening, and we can't take a bad performance and make it sound great, we are just adding to what is already there. The mix engineer will use EQ to accomplish two tasks: to reduce or take out unflattering frequencies such as muddiness or nasal tones, and then to turn up flattering frequencies such as clarity and airiness. Compression is an often misunderstood processor which is essentially an automatic volume knob. It reduces the vocal down by a specific ratio when it gets too loud. This keeps the level of the track more constant in the mix and also gives the vocal some character and feeling. There are many differing types of compressors and they are each sought after for their characteristics such as harmonic distortion and circuit style. After compressing, vocals often need some sort of de-essing to control sibilants. This is a high ratio compressor that only acts on certain trouble frequencies, essentially reducing each sibilant only while letting the rest of the vocal remain the same. Over de-essing can make the singer sound like they have a lisp, so be careful. There are many more techniques to practice, but start with basic EQ and compression to give your vocal track a more professional sound.

Posted by: audreylangley21 at 03:52 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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