Hibr
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A while ago i sent a track to a fairly well know vocalist who is signed to armada Records and had some pretty big tunes in the trance scene…(for those who don’t know - Armada Music is Armin Van Buuren’s Label)br
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To my surprise not only did i get a response but a response with interest and that she may be interested in using the track on her album!..nice i thought!!br
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This was about 8 months ago, since then the track has been done, dropped redone dropped until i got another email out of the blue saying that we should re visit it!.. br
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With out trying not to get too excited i set to work on re working the track once again!!!br
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The below link is a radio edit with some new sounds i worked on, (New Kick, Piano Melody, Pads)br
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I thought i would throw it out there and see what people thinkbr
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This link will expire soon as i just want to see what people think and take any suggestions…br
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this is not a mastered version by the way!br
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thanks for listening and coming back to me in advance!br
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cheers br
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Jasonbr
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hope you like br
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:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)br
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Sorry Philbr
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i have updated the linkbr
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try that…
Nice work… she has a decent voice but the tuning is all over the place. I would suggest having a look at it in melodyne so you can see where its going off.br
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The performance also sounds a bit flat… you cant really hear her emotion in it… she just sounds a bit nervous.br
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It can be really hard to get good vocals you have to be really tuned in to what the vocalist is doing which can be hard when you are just trying to make sure all the technical stuff is working.br
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Also some vocalist need a lot more help and encouragement than others it just really depends on their own experience or how much they are feeling or know the song.br
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I would do another session if you can and see if you can get more performance out of her. I wouldn’t worry so much about the tuning as that can be easily fixed.br
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Performance is hard to guide someone on… as its such a fleeting abstract thing… it really seems to be about visualization and being in the moment of the track… or relating it to something.br
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The vocalist needs to feel comfortable and relaxed in your studio and if you are nervous about recording it she will pick up on it and it will come through in her voice.br
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We used to put candles n stuff around the place… try to create an atmosphere… no hot liquids or icey cold water… luke warm water is best… and no chocky biccys.br
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also some like to be in the room with producers others like to be in their own space…ask her what she is most comfortable with.br
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You can make a decent vocal booth anywhere really with some quilts and sofa cushions.br
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Hi Philbr
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thanks for your replybr
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there is some really good tips in therebr
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the problem is… she is in Canada and i am in the midland UK (not the most ideal set up, i know)br
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i think i may look in to some professional mastering or at least someone who know abr
lot more on the tuning side of things - she said she may look at re doing the vocals for the track, i just sent over the new version to her as ideas for new sounds.br
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after saying that - if she was to re do some vocals - it would be the same set up - she would record them an i would try my best not to Fk it up!br
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as a part of Sonic Academy - Is mastering something you guys do?
tuning the vocals isnt a mastering thing… its defo something you need to learn yourself if you plan to work with more vocalists.br
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generally what i do is make sure there are a bunch of takes of the same bit… line them up on multiple tracks and rateeach section on delivery.br
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so you end up with one full take with all the best bits in it… then if there isnt too much of a tuning problem just tidy it up with autotune… if thats not enough ill use melodyne.br
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Melodyne is easy to use when you are just working with a single vocal line… and gives you a ridiculous amount of control over pitch and timing.br
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once that is all done sometimes i would send it back to the vocalist to re-sing it using the fixed version as a guide.br
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then do the same process over again only this time there should be a lot less work.br
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I also use melodyne to come up with potential harmony parts… again you would get the vocalist to re-sing at the end them but melodyne is great for coming up with ideas if the singer isn’t great at improvising them.
again, thank you for your tips and advice - and you are right - working with vocals is something i do need more practice with as well as using 3rd party plug ins such as the ones you mentionedbr
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i will have a look at them and see if i can improve the vocal some how…br
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i guess these days its too much to ask to get a vocalist to sing in tune lol 
thank the Vocal gods for technology!br
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thanks again :)br
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