That depends on the track and the acapella. Just generally speaking, though, I put the vocal source track through some compression and run an auxiliary bus with additional vocal processing to make sure it cuts through the mix. I like to look at Blue Cat's Frequency Analyzer to see which frequencies are most present or lacking and make adjustments to the EQ, as necessary.

I'm working with a spoken word piece, right now, which contains dialogue from two different individuals recorded at different levels and am putting excerpts of that dialogue through time-based processing spread out on six different tracks. As soon I get the clips placed where I want them, I'm planning on bussing all the tracks for additional compression and EQ.

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quote:

Originally posted by EddieZilker That depends on the track and the acapella. Just generally speaking, though, I put the vocal source track through some compression and run an auxiliary bus with additional vocal processing to make sure it cuts through the mix. I like to look at Blue Cat's Frequency Analyzer to see which frequencies are most present or lacking and make adjustments to the EQ, as necessary. I'm working with a spoken word piece, right now, which contains dialogue from two different individuals recorded at different levels and am putting excerpts of that dialogue through time-based processing spread out on six different tracks. As soon I get the clips placed where I want them, I'm planning on bussing all the tracks for additional compression and EQ.

When you are altering vocals timing, how do you compensate for changes in pitch? Do you simply match your track to that new pict or do you use key altering software?

I've never really worked with vocals much before, aside from a few vocal hits or stabs.

Time stretching and key fixing tips much appreciated.

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You know, William Blake said... uh, nothing is lost. Nothing is lost and I... I really believe that, we only move on...

yeah i agree with the above statement i've also found selecting the right vocal for the mix makes life more simple plus once i have found the vocal i want i will send it over to wavosour editor for post production http://www.wavosaur.com/

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I only use accapellas if have have the according progression as well.
or i have session singers on my own tracks
I seldom have an accapella without being aware of the original track, or without a progression.

vocal processing is a totally different topic again.

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quote:

Originally posted by Lunar Phase 7 When you are altering vocals timing, how do you compensate for changes in pitch? Do you simply match your track to that new pict or do you use key altering software? I've never really worked with vocals much before, aside from a few vocal hits or stabs. Time stretching and key fixing tips much appreciated.

if you have a dry vocal, melodyne can pretty much change pitch non destructively. Of course why not just transpose your track unless it really messes with the bass.

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quote:

Originally posted by Mad for Brad if you have a dry vocal, melodyne can pretty much change pitch non destructively. Of course why not just transpose your track unless it really messes with the bass.

Well I don't use vocal but wouldn't mind trying my hand at it.

I though transposing the track is easiest.

I assume messing with vocal placement so it lands where you want it to in relation to the timing of the rest of track is just trial and error?

I remember reading that for bpm changes BT does about three takes, one at like normal speed, one at the new track speed and one at somewhere in between, but I didn't understand this.

Any clues?

What are the golden rules for vocal work?

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Nothing lasts, nothing lasts, everything is changing into something else. Nothing is wrong, nothing is wrong, everything is on track...

You know, William Blake said... uh, nothing is lost. Nothing is lost and I... I really believe that, we only move on...

quote:

Originally posted by Lunar Phase 7 So you've got an accapella, how do you guys go about implimenting in to your track?

Get the tempo right, otherwise you are pretty fucked. Find the tempo of the original track, and use that to timestretch the vocals to the tempo of your track.

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quote:

Originally posted by Lunar Phase 7 What are the golden rules for vocal work?

have a good singer.

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old stuff from days gone by (2001-2004)
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quote:

Originally posted by Mad for Brad have a good singer.

lol.

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Nothing lasts, nothing lasts, everything is changing into something else. Nothing is wrong, nothing is wrong, everything is on track...

You know, William Blake said... uh, nothing is lost. Nothing is lost and I... I really believe that, we only move on...

quote:

Originally posted by Lunar Phase 7 lol.

It wasn't a joke. If there is any "golden rule" when it comes to vocals, that is it.

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quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik It wasn't a joke. If there is any "golden rule" when it comes to vocals, that is it.

The rule I was told was "Garbage in, garbage out" - GIGO. There really isn't much you can do with a bad vocal recording to make it sound better and burying blemishes usually means drowning out the parts which would have made it work, too.

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my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012