How do you guys deal with 'cuppers?'

[ffaudio]

I'm getting a long stream of metal bands coming in and they all eventually complain that when singing into a mic like a u195 or whatever that they can't "cup" the mic and get their "really low lows."

I've tried letting them just use a 421 or a 57 and letting them cup and it always turns out grainy, distorted and just overly gross sounding.

Any special tips?

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

Yep dont let em do it cos it sounds like shit

 

[ffaudio]

Yeah, I just did a search and read some threads and it look like almost everybody here agrees with me that it sounds like shit.

 

[Downtime]

Yep dont let em do it cos it sounds like shit

+1
You´ll have to really mess around with it after all.

 

[Jaymz]

LMAO!!!! Me and friends have a different meaning to the word "cuppers"

 

[-Gavin-]

Any special tips?

 

[KeithRT99]

cupping is like a security blanket for people who can't do it brutal enough. Just overdub them cupping certain parts if you have to.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

If it's possible, try your best convince them that they would sound better if they forgot about cupping and started practising to growl with their hands where they're supposed to be

Cupping is a bad habit (at least I've never heard a good sounding cupper), so best just try to get 'em out of it.

 

[2dark]

If it's possible, try your best convince them that they would sound better if they forgot about cupping and started practising to growl with their hands where they're supposed to be

Cupping is a bad habit (at least I've never heard a good sounding cupper), so best just try to get 'em out of it.

+1000

 

[colonel kurtz]

eh...while the whole "cupping" thing is pretty gay in general, i've seen some people(i.e. chino moreno) do some sick shit that wouldn't otherwise be possible by using that technique

other than that, i'd tell that them that while it may be ideal in a live setting, THEY'RE NOT IN A FUCKING LIVE SETTING, AND TO NOT TOUCH THE MIC UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE

also explain that if they absolutely need to cup the mic for the sole purpose of making some otherwise unobtainable noise, that you'd be more than happy to let them do some overdubs with a 57 after the rest of the vocal track is done....without the mic being touched.

 

[KeithRT99]

eh...while the whole "cupping" thing is pretty gay in general, i've seen some people(i.e. chino moreno) do some sick shit that wouldn't otherwise be possible by using that technique

i don't think chino counts. he is a very unique vocalist(a great screamer too), and he definately knows how to handle a mic. besides, he's not really doing the "deathmetal" cupping.

 

[colonel kurtz]

well...i'm just saying...there ARE times where people cup their hands around the mic in order to do shit that's not ordinarily possible

...and then there's people who do it to make up for the lack of balls in their voice

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

other than that, i'd tell that them that while it may be ideal in a live setting, THEY'RE NOT IN A FUCKING LIVE SETTING, AND TO NOT TOUCH THE MIC UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE

Its not ideal in a live setting at all. Ask any monitor guy. Theres other way to pretend to be Phil Anselmo that actually dont affect the sound.

Cupping live is just a really good way to get feedback. Oh and it makes you look tough too.

 

[Ermz]

I'm getting a long stream of metal bands coming in and they all eventually complain that when singing into a mic like a u195 or whatever that they can't "cup" the mic and get their "really low lows."

I've tried letting them just use a 421 or a 57 and letting them cup and it always turns out grainy, distorted and just overly gross sounding.

Any special tips?

Tell them that the only thing they'll get by cupping is their 'really really low mids'.

I still can't fathom how vocalists don't understand that this 'technique' sounds like shit, even in those instances where it doesn't blow the horns of the entire foldback monitor array.

 

[Nebulous]

Tell them that there's a "new" cupping technique that's "all the rage", where only the thumb touches the grill. If they're dumb enough they might fall for it and you'll have them cupping alot less and be able to deal with it, while they'll have their (in)security covered.

 

[~BURNY~]

Here are some pointers:

 

[Ermz]

'Den stab him in de liverr... stab im in de liverr'

 

[deanbailey]

haha, why's this instructional at a bar?

 

[Downtime]

lol

 

[everybody's x]

HAHAHA

the consensus seems to be "knee to the face"