tell me your vocal chain

[rick]

I am curious to see a fair representation of what people are using locally .. not what you want or what you had once or what you read about or dream about .

but what do you use .. whats your go to ?

I have any number of preamps and mics ( well there is a number but f@#$ knows what it is )

lately I seem to be on a new gear trip for the first time ever , I borrowed an empty lunch box off andrew from the forum and his ( north rocks ) sydney studio was stacked to the roof with tasty newly built stuff .. got me wondering

I have also been playing the new stuff game lately.. because I have purposely been trying to go out to other peoples studios instead of my own.. as kind of a self imposed re- education as much as anything.
so I want to be able to just know everything works and i have a setup at home with that gear for late night stuff while my kids sleep and i need be able to travel with it easily and securely ..the $$$ bulky vintage stuff just isn't the way to do that .

current vocal chain
..is a brauner tube vm1 (set not quite on cardiod) / neve 4081 and a JLM LA500 limiter (very new to me which is why i needed a portable lunch box) ) and am vaselating over wether I will put an eq on that chain regularly as the vm-1 has a different top end to my usual neumanns suspects .. but I dunno yet ..I have to mix a few records with that chain before I really know .

I also have a avalon v5 which I have been learning to use as well it seems to like the neumans more then the brauner on my voice
I have a bunch of recording to get stuck into over the next six months
I am curious about whats in everybody elses daily lives

So Singer walks into to your life to sing without notice .. whats your chain .. .?


always good to see whats what .. in the real world ( straight into a m box is as valid as anything else in this post )
post up a picture it doesnt matter if its ghetto or 6 star or in between
what you using ?
this is as much a bit of curious fun as any kind of survey .

photo.JPG

my stuff last week in freemantle .

[Wiz]

Beesneez T1

Bae 1073, nv500,99nv,tg500

La2a


(Speck asc-v or 550b if needed, usually not)


But, the T1 and either the 1073 or the 99nv into the LA2A is really all I need.
I own the la500 and the fc500 and the FC500 has been used tracking vocals, not the la500 though, the others beat it out. How ever it does the job on electric guitars and sometimes on bass.

[rick]

Thats curious .. at this point in time ( 2 weeks in) the la 500 is as good a vocal limiter as I have ever used .. ever


but as I said
one needs to mix a few records and see where the hangups are before claiming recording chain victory !

I don't think my old long gone pristine 1073 u48 La2a combination with be back in my life in any way soon .
its just not a viable option and when I eventually get my place finished all the vintage stuff will stay there 24/7
but I plan to be able to "not" be there 24/7 as well .

who's next ..?
grab your iphone take a photo

[Ben M]

Vintage U87 - V72 - Retro Sta Level

[Wiz]

Thats curious .. at this point in time ( 2 weeks in) the la 500 is as good a vocal limiter as I have ever used .. ever


but as I said
one needs to mix a few records and see where the hangups are before claiming recording chain victory !

I don't think my pristine 1073 u48 La2a combination with be back in my life in any way soon .

I just find it, a little fiddley to set, physically as well as electrically, where as the LA2A is certainly easier, and on the vocalists I am working with, generally they dont have great dynamic control...

I dont think, I have ever set a compressor in what I would call limiting (say 10 or 20 to 1) when tracking, but, I generally leave a shit load of headroom, and thats why I would employ a limiter.

Having said that, Its something I should explore, even if only to find out I dont like it. 8) I have read about people doing that.

If you have the time and or inclination, if you describe how the LA500 is being employed as a limiter when tracking vocals, and what you have prior to it compression wise (if anything) and what the control of the singer was like.

I guess, a simpler way for me to ask would be, why use the LA500 as a limiter when tracking vocals, what did it do for you...?

thanks

[rick]

oh limiter is just slang for compresser / limiter in my world .. if I am reducing the dynamic range I am limiting
or levelling would be the best word.

vocals over have 35 db or more out of the gate ( err mouth )
in a final mix its going to be maybe 10 db if your generous ( 3-4 db really )
something has to give .. I do it in easy to listen to stages in no particular set plan

combining recording .. distant to mic .. levelling different pre amp gain for different parts of the song ...
then lots of stuff happens mixing automation .. then mixing limiters ..then mastering then 2 cm laptop speakers

jlm la 500
3:1 is nice and the boxes are set up to track that range accurately but it lets a few peaks through slowed down I guess
5:1 sounds about right .. bit tighter .. meter moves 7 db or so ..its tiny who can tell ?
this limiter(.. err levellor) doesnt seem go dull or bright for that matter as it does its thing ..and they are little and cheap and thats why I have them .

A real La 2a goes bright the more it is working .. some much more then others .. thus the "magic ones "
pain in the arse really.

but set right any limiter keeps vocals sounding like a record .. I cant remember the last time I recorded somebody with great mic technique
we are all in the same boat you cannot put 35 db of vocal range in a mix ..
well you can ..
but it sounds.... .

[Wiz]

oh limiter is just slang for compresser / limiter in my world .. if I am reducing the dynamic range I am limiting
or levelling would be the best word.

vocals over have 35 db or more out of the gate ( err mouth )
in a final mix its going to be maybe 10 db if your generous ( 3-4 db really )
something has to give .. I do it in easy to listen to stages in no particular set plan

combining recording .. distant to mic .. levelling different pre amp gain for different parts of the song ...
then lots of stuff happens mixing automation .. then mixing limiters ..then mastering then 2 cm laptop speakers

jlm la 500
3:1 is nice and the boxes are set up to track that range accurately but it lets a few peaks through slowed down I guess
5:1 sounds about right .. bit tighter .. meter moves 7 db or so ..its tiny who can tell ?
this limiter(.. err levellor) doesnt seem go dull or bright for that matter as it does its thing ..and they are little and cheap and thats why I have them .

A real La 2a goes bright the more it is working .. some much more then others .. thus the "magic ones "
pain in the arse really.

but set right any limiter keeps vocals sounding like a record .. I cant remember the last time I recorded somebody with great mic technique
we are all in the same boat you cannot put 35 db of vocal range in a mix ..
well you can ..
but it sounds.... .

thanks Rick, appreciate it...


re the JLM meters, I pretty much ignore them, particularly on the FC500, it will show 20dB GR, but wont sound anything like it... which in someways, is good... will give me ol' LA500 another crack on vocals.. thanks again.

so enough of me hijacking the thread 8)

[dave01.cooper]

beez neez arabella -> JLM 1290 (1073) -> Red 2 -> 1176 -> Red 2.

I've found 1176s 'darken' the sound somewhat so with a little extra hi shelf after the comp works a treat.

also found sm7b -> mci 500 with the hi lift (impedence lift myles included in his rack job) -> 1176 (hit quite hard) -> and paralled with the kush clairphonic sounds great too. more edgy rock kind of sound.

want a tube comp so bad!

[rick]

well I calibrated and checked mine .. ( nick frankin built them for me from a kit as a horse trade ) and they are remarkably accurate for at least - 7db (more probably) while limiting and remarkably flat tone wise while limiting ..or not limiting

I imagine in todays modern build recording stuff that is not unusual .. but maybe it is ?
the manley one works like that and imagine other stuff does too

no real La 2a works flat tone wise .. I used to think that was a benifet of them
but things can get very sibilant with too much la 2a reduction and without tape oxide falling off the heads every pass eating the top end .
I am wondering wether I will ever buy another la 2a .

[Chinagraf]

87>shep SN8>1176 revF>Massive Passive
Sometimes 2254 replaces 1176 but more of a mix thing.
Still would like a nice tube LDC.

[headman]

BeezNeez Arabella into JLM NV 500 or JLM TG into La2a.....sounds like a real "old fashioned" vocal.

Don't think Joe makes the TG pres anymore, shame they are fantastic on just about everything


headman

[Engininja]

95% SM7b 1073 la3a.

5% Brass cap C414c mci jh500 la3a

[Wiz]

BeezNeez Arabella into JLM NV 500 or JLM TG into La2a.....sounds like a real "old fashioned" vocal.

Don't think Joe makes the TG pres anymore, shame they are fantastic on just about everything


headman

Really!!!.????


Well I ain't selling mine then, it's great ...quite... And on electric guitar amps, with a 57 .... My go to set up

[mylesgm]

Before Swaziland these were my main ingredients:
mics:
c414 (brass cap)
Um70 either with 692 body or m582 body
senn md421
sE 4400a (I really like this mic and you should definitely check it out if you haven't already)

Preamps:
variety of DIY 500 series stuff (VP25, Germanium, 1073no eq)
racked Neve kelso channel.

compressors:
API2500 (mono obviously)
DIY 1176
La4 (original)
LA12

usually no eq but if I do eq on the way in it's usually Astor EQ or a DIY API553

Then it's mix and match to taste based on the colour of the singers voice and the dynamic range of the singer.
I usually start with the um70 or the sE and the 1073 or the germanium pre (based on an RCA design) into the API2500 just reducing 2-4db. 60-70% of the time that'll get excellent results. If the singer needs to belt or hold the mic and "get into it" then the 421 into the vp25 into the 1176 will take of that. The rest is just finding different shades and realistically that's probably more fun for me than anything else.

In Swaziland it's either my sE4400a or the Miktek C7 into either the UAD apollo or a JLM BA (jlm tx and opa2604) and then most mixes have the 1081 and la2a on the lead. This is actually a great sound and for what I have hear every single person comments on how lovely the voice sounds. I've been re evaluating all the 'options' I have at home with how good I can get this system to sound with so little effort...

[Gian]

Beesneez Arabella or James -> JLM 99v (or NV500) ->JLM FC500 -> JLM PEQ500

The compressor does make is sound more like a record. And as someone said above. Don't look at the meters just listen. I set the compressor based on Stavs listening suggestions.

[wez]

I generally rent/borrow for important stuff, and I usually have pretty specific needs... but of course it depends on the voice. but general go-to chain is U47 (rock/shouty) or U87 (expressive/ballady) -->Neve anything -->Distressor. Almost never EQ.

Chain i'm using for current album project is DIY U47-style tube mic (thanks Barney!) --> BAE 1272 -->Distressor... and it's as good a vocal sound as I've ever heard.

[rick]

come on get your iphones out .. photos please

[blackfoot]

Lucas cs4/sm7b/u87 (depending on client) -> hit quad eight mm71 pretty hard ( usually eq switched out) -> Brook f96 ( 1176ish type comp) -> medium de juor. Just barely kiss comp , 3-4 db on peaks and peak in AD @ -12. Old style chain & not very portable. I use a Langevin Dual Vocal Channel for a portable option.

[rick]

image.jpg

My not very portable chain in this room is a rack of 2 x 1084
And some other neve bits n bobs into a limiter I haven't decided on
And the usual suspect neumanns I suspect
The power supply for the neve rack is as heavy as everything else in my first photo
Put together And then add the neve rack .. And probably the manley limiter or the jlm 500 which is in a 11 rack bae 500 thing with a huge power supply ... Madness to try and get that all in and out .
It's staying put .

I am wondering if fritz is going to learn how to sing ?

[mylesgm]

most portable system? mic into converter... What do you guys think of the new studio? (which isn't portable).

[Linear]

hey next to your german-made KU100 is my german-made suction cup thingy...

surprised no one has mentioned a U67 yet - honestly the closest thing to sounding like a finished record I've ever heard!

[blackfoot]

Hey Myles, Loving everything I see !

[rick]

I like how the hot tub and the sauna combine with all that
The technology and the 10 japanese waitresses bringing sushi and miso
24 hours a day on call !!
...,
It's amazing how stripped back things can be if they have to
Be .. Well done miles well done !

[rick]

Chris you might have a number one record in more countries then you can name
But in this thread you name your go to real world
vocal chain and take a photo !

Miles is excused from the real world because he is living in Swaziland
And I am not sure if that's some stunt he is pulling
To make himself cool or if he is actually living
In some other world.. and he is still playing by the forum rules !


photos i want photos !

[Linear]

wow sounds like an order!

this is my go-to, can't fail chain U67 -> 1066 w/HP @ 70hz -> LA2a

VC1.jpg

VC2.jpg

VC3.jpg

[Engininja]

Screen Shot 2013-07-17 at 9.24.02 PM.png

Serial No 147 or 157. Can't remember.

[Engininja]

Rick, you wanted to see inside. Finally got around to it. No gunk, no nothing. Like a mirror. What little dust was there shows up extremely in the photo tho.

photo (1).JPG

Thinking about letting it go to gets me a KU100.

[rick]

christ steven you would pay money for that capsule .. score !

chris we really must do something about that wooden neve rack it photographs worst then it looks and it looks bad !
they are the best two neve channels i have ever had they deserve a less self imploding wooden rack

.. its reminds me of my many failings in recent years ..
....

come on who is next .. run it low brow or high brow .. usb mic into sound card or elam 251 into a tg console
dont be shy
whacha using ..?

[audioio]

Rick, is that a Presonus 8-channel comp I see at the bottom of your rack?

Just curious... do you use it, or does it stabilise all the heavy stuff above it!?

[Alistair]

U87->UA 610/diy 1073/distressor on 10:1, max 3-4dB on peaks. That's me for 90% of stuff.
If I need EQ before tape, ELI Lil Freq on the non-transformer output lets me cut/boost without any artifacts. Often use an 1176 in the mix, but never on the way in.


And my 87 capsule looks nothing like that C12 capsule....