Taming The Dynamics [Recording Vocals Pt 6]

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Taming The Dynamics Recording Vocals Pt 6

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

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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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There are some universal parameters of
compression that you need to understand Threshol
d -- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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. 
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• Here are the basic steps to using a single
  compressor to treat vocals
• Set the Attack between 0-3 milliseconds. 
• Set the Release somewhere in the range
• of 200 milliseconds. 
• Set the Ratio somewhere between 31
• and 71.
• Starting with the threshold down around
• -50 dB, gradually increase the threshold. 

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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.
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Taming The Dynamics Recording Vocals Pt 6

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