Have we been looking at it all wrong? We see vocal microphones as the determining factor in sound quality. Truthfully, the factor is largely YOUR work but before we get to that, let’s turn to Bing Crosby.
During World War II, he was the #1 American movie actor, the #1 global recording artist, and the host of the top-rated American radio show. Oh, and let’s not forget his memorable recording of the song, White Christmas.
So what!?!
“What Bing created [by understanding the power of microphones] was the art of intimacy,” says singer Tony Bennett. “He sang very quiet and very understated … You’re singing to someone’s eyes, you’re singing to someone’s ears, and you don’t have to push.”
Bing was using technology to help him convey feelings. And it’s our fault for not doing the same.
WHAT We Must Do (why it’s our fault)
Stop technical mixing.
Here’s the usual scenario with a lead singer.
- Push the volume above the rest of the band.
- Engage the high-pass filter.
- Cut out the problem frequencies.
- Sculpt with what’s left to get a good sound.
I’m not saying that process needs to be thrown out. I’m saying that starting with #2, we need to approach mixing vocals with the same mentality as Bing approached singing into a microphone. We have to feel the emotion of the song and of the singer and use technology to convey it (and sometimes improve it).
HOW Do We Do It?
We start by looking at images.
Look at this image.
How do you expect it to sound?
Look at this image.
How do you expect it to sound?
Finally, look at these images.
How do you EXPECT them to sound?
[tweet this]
If you see the band as a rag-tag bunch of pseudo-musicians then you’ll mix sloppy. You should see them as individuals LEADING THE CONGREGATION in worship to the Almighty God and mix them with that same level of devotion.
Every mixer channel is pulling from a microphone. That microphone is capturing the work of a musician. Yes, some musicians don’t have the level of dedication they should have. But let us not tarnish our mix by treating it with the same carelessness.
Let us mix vocalists as if they are singing and worshiping not on a stage but to a person’s ear, to God’s ear.
Kabie says
January 3, 2015 at 6:41 amHello Chris,
In as much as I’m not a singer or a musician, the title of this post really caught my attention. I guess this same theme van carried along in the playing field of life; don’t blame anyone but instead all responsibilities should be one’s shoulder instead.
MICHAEL DAVID MILLER says
December 29, 2014 at 10:59 amIn the right context of well controlled stage levels, “whisper singing”, as I like to call it, can work, but doesn’t usually have a place in a live setting with a contemporary band. You can’t always achieve that kind of controlled studio sound in live presentations. Too many what ifs, and it depends.
You simply do not have the isolation afforded by studio iso-booths, and overdubbing on a multitrack recording. Isolation for a microphone on a live stage boils down to things like good staging arrangements, close micing, and strong input levels. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a group of musicians who have the ability, and sensitivity to play appropriately for both the music, and the room.
Because the vocals carry the message, I like to get the vocals where they can be heard AND understood. If I am forced to increase the gain of a vocal mic(s) significantly because the vocals are whisper sung, their mic(s) pick up way to much noise (everything except the desired source), and many times just doesn’t work.
In general, when working with vocalists in a live sound reinforcement setting, I recommend close mic placement, AND a dynamic range that peaks at their personal, comfortable fortissimo, but without reaching the point of screaming. This gives me their strongest mic level to the console which allows me to turn down the channel gain. And this is how to get channel isolation on a live stage.
With the right elements, I have able to accomplish what your article speaks to, but in too many cases, it’s an uphill battle. One takeaway is that you must use the tools you have, the best you can.