Vocal Processors

A Charlatan I · May 20th, 2007, 10:34 AM

Hey

anybody recomend a good vocal processor to clean up signal before recording? any tips/additional comments welcome...

Thanks!

Ry.

eddiewagner · May 21st, 2007, 04:04 AM

a friend of mine wants to sell his digitech ex vocal processor. you can mail me and i will get you in contact. besides that: i heard that they are kinda cheesy, these vocal processors.

Bonneville Bruce · May 22nd, 2007, 12:44 PM

I believe one should work out the basics of vocal recording first, that is to find the optimal settings, placements, etc. for the mic(s) the room, shock mount, stand, pop screen, headphones, mixing board and/or mic pre-amp. Also optimize how hot one records a signal, does one use EQ, is everything in the signal path under unity gain and so forth. These fundamentals are far more important than a processor in the grand scheme of things.

I apologize if this is all too basic for you, but the facts remain that the basics have to be working well in order to get a good vocal recording.

Skully · May 22nd, 2007, 02:12 PM

I have some reasonably high end harmonizer plug-ins, and they never sound good. And -- this is irrelevant to you, because you're talking outboard gear -- they're incredible PCU hogs.

For vocals, the only effects you really need are compression and reverb. The latter should used sparingly, IMHO. I don't think I ever have more than 15-20% of the reverb in the mix.

Ben Harmless · May 22nd, 2007, 02:16 PM

As sort of an offshoot of what Bruce is saying, I'll point out that everything done by "vocal processors" can be handled by other gear. EQ, compression, gating, reverb, chorus, distortion, whatever. A dedicated unit will almost always sound better than anything labeled "vocal processor."

I'm not quite sure what is meant by "clean up the signal," but it sounds like a good EQ would be most of what you need. Any other hints as to what you're trying to accomplish?

Vocal chains used in the vast majority of studios will involve mostly the same gear used on everything else. An engineer might have a specific mic pre, EQ, or compressor he or she likes on vocals, but the good stuff almost never has the word "vocal" written on it.

That being said, there are a few things made by reputable brands that are advertised as "vocal channel strips" and such, but that's probably just because they have built-in de-essing (which is a function of compression and EQ) and such. The basic components are nothing vocal-specific.

Oh, and the Boss/DOD/Behringer vocal processors built for live use just get annoying when you compare them to the same effects that nearly every house has already available in its rack.

getbent · July 14th, 2007, 08:44 PM

You might give TC Helicon a listen

I don't disagree with the other fellers, but this gear is pretty dang good and can sound pretty nice.... like any 'effect' sparingly is the key word.

May 20th, 2007, 10:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
A Charlatan I Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: UK Age: 34 Posts: 145	Vocal Processors Hey anybody recomend a good vocal processor to clean up signal before recording? any tips/additional comments welcome... Thanks! Ry.

May 21st, 2007, 04:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
eddiewagner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 50 Posts: 4,004 27 Photos	a friend of mine wants to sell his digitech ex vocal processor. you can mail me and i will get you in contact. besides that: i heard that they are kinda cheesy, these vocal processors. __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

May 22nd, 2007, 12:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bonneville Bruce Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Caldwell, Idaho Posts: 569	I believe one should work out the basics of vocal recording first, that is to find the optimal settings, placements, etc. for the mic(s) the room, shock mount, stand, pop screen, headphones, mixing board and/or mic pre-amp. Also optimize how hot one records a signal, does one use EQ, is everything in the signal path under unity gain and so forth. These fundamentals are far more important than a processor in the grand scheme of things. I apologize if this is all too basic for you, but the facts remain that the basics have to be working well in order to get a good vocal recording. __________________ "Let us issue, 'Live Music is Better' bumper stickers."

May 22nd, 2007, 02:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Skully Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Glamorous NoHo Posts: 3,987	I have some reasonably high end harmonizer plug-ins, and they never sound good. And -- this is irrelevant to you, because you're talking outboard gear -- they're incredible PCU hogs. For vocals, the only effects you really need are compression and reverb. The latter should used sparingly, IMHO. I don't think I ever have more than 15-20% of the reverb in the mix. __________________ Myspace.com/skullysounds

May 22nd, 2007, 02:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,263 6 Photos	As sort of an offshoot of what Bruce is saying, I'll point out that everything done by "vocal processors" can be handled by other gear. EQ, compression, gating, reverb, chorus, distortion, whatever. A dedicated unit will almost always sound better than anything labeled "vocal processor." I'm not quite sure what is meant by "clean up the signal," but it sounds like a good EQ would be most of what you need. Any other hints as to what you're trying to accomplish? Vocal chains used in the vast majority of studios will involve mostly the same gear used on everything else. An engineer might have a specific mic pre, EQ, or compressor he or she likes on vocals, but the good stuff almost never has the word "vocal" written on it. That being said, there are a few things made by reputable brands that are advertised as "vocal channel strips" and such, but that's probably just because they have built-in de-essing (which is a function of compression and EQ) and such. The basic components are nothing vocal-specific. Oh, and the Boss/DOD/Behringer vocal processors built for live use just get annoying when you compare them to the same effects that nearly every house has already available in its rack. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

July 14th, 2007, 08:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,137 37 Photos	You might give TC Helicon a listen I don't disagree with the other fellers, but this gear is pretty dang good and can sound pretty nice.... like any 'effect' sparingly is the key word.