Automation

[ido1957]

A light bulb moment maybe. Ok so I'm still learning (it never ends)
- record my vocal track
- don't put a compressor on the effects bin
- automate the **** out it
- send it to a bus
-THEN put the compressor on the bus

[JD01]

I tend to compress my vocal tracks two or even three times.

[ido1957]

I tend to compress my vocal tracks two or even three times.

Yep - agreed - I started doing that recently after reading about it (maybe your posts?). I recorded (between chest ripping coughs) some vocals at Mike's (different setup) and I have these REALLY hot spots I want to reduce without crushing it too much.

[JD01]

I tend to compress my vocal tracks two or even three times.

Yep - agreed - I started doing that recently after reading about it (maybe your posts?). I recorded (between chest ripping coughs) some vocals at Mike's (different setup) and I have these REALLY hot spots I want to reduce without crushing it too much.

Ah, fair enough. I don't record vocals very often and tend to just get set up and do a song in one hit. So I'll have a vocal bus and possibly a couple of sub-folders. Each of these gets a compressor.

[ido1957]

Cool - this particular vocal is just a scratch track so it's toast once I get over this damn virus. But for now it's all I have to work with and it's all over the map.

[Farview]

I compress for the sound of the compression, not to try to keep the levels steady. Automation is the way to go, if you don't want the sound of the compression to keep changing.

[Greg_L]

I compress for the sound of the compression, not to try to keep the levels steady. Automation is the way to go, if you don't want the sound of the compression to keep changing.

That ^^^^^

[ocnor]

I used to have trouble with inconsistent levels on my vocal tracks. Then I realized that it was poor technique/placement and wrong choice of mic causing these issues. By using a mic that is not highly directional, and singing over the mic instead of directly into it, I get very consistent vocal tracks.

[Bboot]

Yeah, a good take and good mic technique is always key. If I'm working on someone else's tracks and the takes aren't great, I usually limit with the L1 very lightly to keep the peaks controlled before going into the main comp, just so it's not making the comp react too hard. I do use a fair amount of comp on vocals, and I always automate to bring the dynamics back.

[Armistice]

I used to have trouble with inconsistent levels on my vocal tracks. Then I realized that it was poor technique/placement and wrong choice of mic causing these issues. By using a mic that is not highly directional, and singing over the mic instead of directly into it, I get very consistent vocal tracks.

Ah - might give the "over it" thing a try next time. Good tip.

[Farview]

For vocals that I didn't record, I will either use an LA2A or 1176 plugin. Both of these can level a vocal out without sounding stupid.

[witzendoz]

A technique I use when mixing (not recording I do the recording with no compression) is to have a limiter before the compressor, the limiter can be a compressor set up for fast attack, fast release, ratio 1:10, set it so that it only limits on the quick peaks, not everything. The compressor after the limiter can be set up with the normal type vocal compression as you like, but now does not get smashed with the peaks that the limiter has taken out.
Alan.

[WhiskeyJack]

legit,

[HatfieldCreek]

legit,

haha really? if this is serious, automation is when you can program plugins/volume levels to change automatically, great for fixing volume issues, and can create some cool effects as well. i tend to automate my eqs a lot, as i eq musically, so i automate my eqs to follow the chord progression.

[JD01]

I have a vague ideal of what automation is, and I need to start using it this weekend to automate the volume level on the vocal of one of my tracks - its compressed as much as I want to compress it and the vocal tends to drop down a touch too low in spots.

[rayc]

I use automation and a little compression but the last couple of vocals I've worked on have required very detailed and boring to do automation. I read something about Vocal Rider today. To be used after comp & EQ supposedly. What do you folk think/know about it/them? It does sound like the lazy way when proper tracking and, failing that, automation ought to do the job.

[ido1957]

I use automation and a little compression but the last couple of vocals I've worked on have required very detailed and boring to do automation. I read something about Vocal Rider today. To be used after comp & EQ supposedly. What do you folk think/know about it/them? It does sound like the lazy way when proper tracking and, failing that, automation ought to do the job.

I've read up on that plugin and the bass rider, they apparently work well, but the price has kept me from buying the vocal one. Maybe someday....

[WhiskeyJack]

legit,

haha really? if this is serious, automation is when you can program plugins/volume levels to change automatically, great for fixing volume issues, and can create some cool effects as well. i tend to automate my eqs a lot, as i eq musically, so i automate my eqs to follow the chord progression.

Yea man, never user it once. I am sure it has a great wealth of benefits. And i know for sure i have one song where i have said to myself "man it would be cool if i could this"

And it sounds like this is what i should have been doing.

We will have to arrange to have a beer some evening and you can walk me through this.

[ocnor]

I use automation mainly on rhythm guitars and bass during lead breaks.

[HatfieldCreek]

haha really? if this is serious, automation is when you can program plugins/volume levels to change automatically, great for fixing volume issues, and can create some cool effects as well. i tend to automate my eqs a lot, as i eq musically, so i automate my eqs to follow the chord progression.

Yea man, never user it once. I am sure it has a great wealth of benefits. And i know for sure i have one song where i have said to myself "man it would be cool if i could this"

And it sounds like this is what i should have been doing.

We will have to arrange to have a beer some evening and you can walk me through this.

sounds good