Effects On Lead Vocals - Garage Rock

Mugwump · #1 10-01-2010, 07:25 AM

We are trying to find some effects for the lead vocals to help us get the sound in our (or his) head. Also, how do we achieve this, stomp boxes?

First let me explain the sound of our band, we're a mostly originals band with a few covers thrown in, all together going for a 60s garage rock sound.
These covers include older songs such as Stepping Stone (The Monkees), Have Love Will Travel (The Sonics) and Leaving Here (The Who). And more recent covers as Why Don't you Lie (King Kahn and BBQ) and Turn a Tune or Two (The Strange Boys).

We've been playing thorough a cheap 200 watt PA that's speakers have been blown for some time. We know it's time to upgrade the PA but we really like the sounds we get from it (on some songs) but it doesn't produce enough volume for anything much more than practice.

So what can we do to achieve a similar blown/over driven sound when we get a new PA (and use other people's PAs in the mean time). What other effects would you suggest to fill out his voice; reverb, echo, delay? Any other cool effect you could see us benefiting from?

We're looking for inexpensive, lightweight solutions. We'd also like to easy switch the effect on or off as not all songs are as dirty as others, it might be cool to even switch during a song. I appreciate your help, thank you.

Bufalo · #2 10-01-2010, 05:03 PM

Get a cheap megaphone, have him turn the volume on it down to about speaking level, and on the lyrics he wants dirty, sing through it into his microphone. It'll give that nasty, crusty sound.

Orr.... you could go the more "right" way and get a vocal processor like this - http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...sor?sku=583433

Note - I have zero experience with any vocal processor boxes, so this one might suck ass, I can't comment!

walterw · #3 10-01-2010, 09:00 PM

Nuggets FTW!

effects-wise, a little slap-back delay is all you'd need.

fancy tube mic preamps can be used to sort of overdrive the vocals a little, but that kind of thing gets problematic live really quickly.

there's not really a garage-rock "effect"; just play the songs like you mean it, and don't get too worried about the PA. when you do get to the point of running through a bigger system, keep the drums dry and not too loud.

KeithAlanK · #4 10-02-2010, 04:17 AM

A touch of reverb and some delay are all that vocals require unless your singer is a tool.

Too many EFX are bad.

Jazz Ad · #5 10-02-2010, 04:45 AM

The garage band voice typically comes from plugging a mic into a guitar amp. It does wonders.
The Ibanez LF-7 is great to achieve this kind of tones. It works with mics straight into it but I got much better results punching it through the insert loop of the mixer.

skulletwhip · #6 10-02-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithAlanK

A touch of reverb and some delay are all that vocals require unless your singer is a tool.

Too many EFX are bad.

Our singer must be a tool. He uses a Korg Kaoss Pad. Lots of cool effects on there.

Also megaphones rule.

Mugwump · #7 10-05-2010, 08:56 AM

Thanks for all the ideas, I will suggest the guitar amp tonight and I will look into the Ibanez LF-7, it looks like a cool little pedal.

In regards to Nuggets, we all love that compilation, we even have a few of those tunes in out rotation. Always crowd favorites.