I have basic recording questions.

[Det Som Engang Var]

The recording forum is dead and I value the answers from you people.

Vocals, should they be panned 50 50 to the right and left, or centered?

Mic'ed instruments like a flute or violin, any specific way they should be panned? I ask because at this point I'm doing everything the default way.

Panning in general is annoying me. As well as which effects to use. Figuring out how much and which effect on vocals, geetars, flutes.

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

I always keep the lead vocal in the middle. Backing vocals I pan depending on what I'm trying to do with them. I LOVE panning stuff in the mix, it always leads to cool sounding stuff when the headphones are on. Gives everthing a cool sense of space.

Just my two cents.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

Thank you Dan, you were the one I wanted to hear from the most.

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

Also, I like to use delay on my vocals and a dash of chorus. Some enjoy reverb, I hardly use it on vocals if at all. I like the backing vocals to be far back in the mix alot of times, just a preference of mine.
gated reverb is nice on drums like the snare.

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

How to best mic farts, amirite!?

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

always, and I mean always insert the mic as far up the anus as possible.

 

[WhiteBeastofWotan]

that got real life LOLs and I'm waiting in an airport gate, so i gots awkards looks.

 

[Altitudes]

Yeah, vocals should be in the center. A little reverb sounds good too, I know most of Warrel's vocals have reverb and sounds great. Double track guitars, that is, pan one of the guitar tracks far left and the other far to the right (about 80%). As for flutes and stuff, I really don't know. I would probably treat them like the vocals and maybe pan them about 15% percent to either direction.

How are you recording the guitars? Are you micing them or recording them through some amp stimulation program like gearbox? How about drums?

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

I have some samples on my myspace blog. I'm abandoning black metal though. Got some covers on there and stuff.

Guitars go right in the recorder, drums are programmed. Thanks for the advice guys.

One last question, for a rap song, say I'm importing an instrumental I made to my recorder. Should that be panned or centered?

 

[Altitudes]

You have sparked my interest. Link to said clips, please?

About importing that rap thing, are you importing a backing track into your DAW (recording program)? If so, don't do anything to it, so yeah centered.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

Thanks again everyone.

I can't embed the snapdrive thing, all I can do is

myspace.com/metalmessiah9999

Blog

Most of those recordings are a year old and shitty although I guess I might slap vocals over the first one and one of the covers.

 

[Jeff-Loomis-fan]

one of the weirdest myspace iv ever seen

 

[ShadowsWithin]

usually i Center vocals and add a FM Radio compression to one and a vocals compression to the other. the only thing I usually pan is guitars, one left one right.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=625581

We Are The Nightmare is the newest one, it started out with unpanned but it sounds way better (or at least more clear) when there panned though.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

usually i Center vocals and add a FM Radio compression to one and a vocals compression to the other. the only thing I usually pan is guitars, one left one right.

Compression isn't something I considered. I know I can compress geetars but I never considered it on vocals, thank you.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

one of the weirdest myspace iv ever seen

I'm a weird and diverse person. *shrugs*

 

[ShadowsWithin]

yeah compressed makes it basically sound like what it would if your in the room, instead of that quieter sound you get when you mic it.

And yeah delay is something you should use for vocals, even its the tiniest bit, it definitely makes it sound more full.

chorus isin't something i considered before...must try now.

EDIT: oh and EQing helps quite a bit as well.

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

Oh, I thought you knew about compression on the vocals. yes, I use some compression and EQ on them also. Just thought it was a given.

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

Question, why does a lot of it sound distorted and overdriven? Was it just poor gear/recording process then?

And finish the Heartcollector cover so I can sing over it.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

Question, why does a lot of it sound distorted and overdriven? Was it just poor gear/recording process then?

And finish the Heartcollector cover so I can sing over it.

I don't know.

I'm aware of the problem I think I may have recorded too loud or mixed poorly. Maybe I should have had compression on the guitars?

And oh my fuck, I will so make a Heart Collector cover if it means you singing on it. It'll take a long time to relearn it though. Sure you can't pull off Katatonia? >_> I'll seriously get a Heart Collector done I'd be honored to have someone like you sing on something I made.

 

[DreamNeonBlack]

Just not sure I have that kind of voice for Katatonia. I'll investigate.