1st Session: Unprocessed

1st Session: Processed

2nd Session: Unprocessed

2nd Session: Processed

3rd Session: Unprocessed

3rd Session: Processed

The revised target for my original music project was to acquire an understanding and unique style to record and process vocals. Upon starting the project it became apparent that gaining a secure understanding would be challenging enough: for this reason, I do not feel I have achieved my original goal.

However, I now understand far more about a subject that I will have to become more acquainted with if I wish to produce records that are commercially viable. If my results are to be viewed in a way that is constructive, they must act as a reminder of how too much electronic processing on vocals can be detrimental to their desirably human qualities.

My project consisted of three recordings, all done with a SE2200 microphone. The first two were recorded close-miced in a small room with sound-proofing - the singer was untrained. The third was in a large room with plenty of reflective surfaces, requiring me to fit them into the mix creatively - the singer was trained, so I personally feel the takes are more successful in a musical sense.

At least 20 multiple takes were recorded in each session. The best words and phrases from each of the takes were then compiled into a single audio file. The amplitude levels of each word were also automated to increase their tangibility, and the pitch of each word was corrected or altered with Melodyne 5.

When making comparisons between the processed and unprocessed vocal tracks from the first two sessions, we can see how too much rigorous time and pitch processing can lead a vocal track to lose its human identity, and therefore its ability to relate to the listener. The processing on the third track was far less severe, and as a result the individual phrases have a chance to breathe. I have not yet perfected my vocal processing skills, but in future I will gravitate towards the manner in which I approached my final session when altering time and pitch.

Cameron Collie CMT