Apple Logic Pro /LogicExpress Discussion

I agree with most if not all Tim has said..

If you don't own or wanna want to rent a good (read expensive)  mic there is often a lower cost option that gives great results.   But mic choice always depends on the voice and sometimes one mic works better than others and sometimes you get surprised by the one that is the best so I suggest experiment a little with mics.

Check Sessionswithslau.com.   Slau did a few experiments with some interesting and low cost mics that are fab for vocals.
His podcast and write up on the "The Fetish Stiletto" subject is also very interesting.
Slau also did a shoot out for a guy using some mic and presented the shootout on a forum somewhere but I can't quickly locate it..  It proved very interesting and the best mic for the particular person who requested the test (I  stress that it was for that guy's voice) was not the most expensive.  It was a blind shootout and the forum guy's were really surprised at the mic they found to be best for that particular persons voice.

Re vocal improvement.. If you have a good mens barbershop group in your area you can't go far wrong with joining them for a while.. They teach & practice great technique.  Barbershop/acappella style may not be your thing but I can assure you good technique and the skills they use is always transferable to any type of singing you do.   I sang barbershop for a while and have never ever regretted it because they taught me so much about good singing practice and vocal technique.

Steve


On 18/12/2009, at 12:45 PM, Tim McLane wrote:

> I've done lots and lots of vocals and here are some tips:RECORDING: 1-When you record use a good mike--- it's worth it --- depending upon the project and depending upon the singer and depending upon what kinds of problems the singer has--- to rent one, such as a Neumann U-47 tube vintage or some others. This and a few other things SOMETIMES can work wonders. 2-Use (rent if you can't buy one) a good pre-amp, such as a 3 band EQ NEVE or some other; it will give body to the vocal and make it sound "expensive" 3-Use a bit of compression when you record the vocal and when you mix it use a little more--- this will make the singer sound like they have much more control than they do. DEVELOPMENT: A few lessons from a vocal coach that really knows what they are doing can cause miraculous changes --- if you live in or near the Los Angeles metro area, I recommend Seth Riggs or one of his authorized students. 2-Failing that, get his book and do the exercises. One of the exercises, which is basically to sing the first five notes of any scale up and down (ZB C, D, E, F, G, F, E, D, C and then to slur up from the I to the V and back to the I , ie, C slur up to G and then slur back), then do the same thing down 1/2 step, (ie, the first 5 notes of the B scale, etc. using the same form as the C scale), and so on until you have reached the lowest note that you are able to sing comfortably. When you have reached the lowest, you go up in this same way until you reach the highest note you can comfortably sing--- This exercise, if done daily, I have seen to work wonders, too. 
> 
> Those are some basics which I have seen help alot.
> 
> However, seeing Seth is truly an experience because he knows the voice so well and deals with such things and proper centering and focus, tone quality and a load of other things, too numerous to mention.
> 
> t
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: Andy Brook 
> To: Logic_Cafe@yahoogroups.com 
> Sent: Thursday, December 17, 2009 11:05 AM
> Subject: [Logic_Cafe] Tips for improving vocals?
> 
> I've been practicing my singing for a few weeks now because I'd love 
> to be able to do my own vocals, if only backing vocals. As with many 
> male vocalists I sing slightly flat, but my intervals are fine (i.e. 
> if I lift the pitch throughout slightly, it all comes back true to 
> pitch) but I have a bit of a thin voice that sounds more boyband than 
> male soloist. I read the tips of EQing and I've been messing around 
> with reverb, chorus, ensemble and delay which enhance the sounds 
> somewhat, although of course it then starts to sound muddy or processed.
> 
> Does anyone have any secret tips to share on how you make singers 
> sound as if they have a fuller voice?
> 
> By the way, if anyone reading is a novice like me and feels shy to ask 
> simple questions then please do so, as I would love to give answers as 
> well as just asking questions! And I really do appreciate those who 
> take the time to reply!
> 
> Andy
> 
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> 
> 



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