"Tricks" of professional singers?

Armueller2001 · #1 01-17-2007, 07:24 PM

Hey guys we're trying to really tighten up our vocals and I was thinking about all the stuff that is available for singers. A few things that came to mind were

1) In Ear Monitors - Much more effective than Floor Wedges for helping a singer hear themselves and sing on key

2) Reverb/Delay - Make the singer's voice sound more full and cooler

2) Pitch Correction - I know this is available on recording software, but is it available real-time? Do people use these?

Anything else you guys can think of?

WalterBush · #2 01-17-2007, 07:33 PM

Yes, real-time pitch correction has been available in a hardware version longer than software plugins have been available. Antares, T.C. Helicon, and Eventide all make rackmount vocal processors with pitch correction. Britney Spears tours with 4 Antares Auto-Tuners.

Problem is, they need to be programmed properly, and they're expensive. I'm not sure if they still rely on a melody being preprogrammed or if they automatically detect the proper note yet. Real-time software isn't, really. It adds to your computer's latency, and can look ahead at the signal. The resulting delay is too long for live usage.

All the stuff you listed helps, but really, a good singer through a good microphone is the #1 way to get good vocals live. Practice a lot and take voice lessons. The real "tricks" proffesional singers use can only be taught by a vocal coach working with you one on one, IME.

**Pacman** · #3 01-17-2007, 08:33 PM

In ear monitors are great - and make singing much easier.

Reverb/delay in monitors (IMO) make you sing "lazy", because they make you sound better. The biggest thing is to sing with a piano, and sing LOTS of intervals.

....at least, that's worked for every band I've ever been in. (Including my own vocals)

JimmyM · #4 01-17-2007, 09:06 PM

1. I know in ears can help you hear yourself better, but I find them annoying. Kind of like using an Ipod to hear yourself.

2. Reverb/delay in the monitors might give you warm fuzzies, but they do nothing to help you sing in tune, and can sometimes cause you to sing out of tune because of the effects disguising the note.

3. Auto-tuning rack gear is strictly for wussies.