{"id":3780,"date":"2017-04-03T07:01:51","date_gmt":"2017-04-03T14:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/?p=3780"},"modified":"2017-04-01T08:29:47","modified_gmt":"2017-04-01T15:29:47","slug":"getting-the-right-vocalinstrument-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/entertainment\/touring\/getting-the-right-vocalinstrument-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting the Right Vocal\/Instrument Balance"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The longer I run sound, the more I realize how subjective a process it is to get a good mix. What sounds right to one engineer will sound terrible to another. What works for one artist on one song may not be the best approach for a different song or a different artist. In fact, some good engineers will tell you that the sound engineer is really the final musician in the chain\u2014they \u201cplay\u201d the soundboard and shape the tones and dynamics to achieve a desired musical effect. In short, mixing is art, and art is personal. We all have our opinions on what is aesthetically \u201cgood.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3784\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3784\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3784\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Eric-Friedlander.jpg\" alt=\"Eric Friedlander\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Eric-Friedlander.jpg 250w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Eric-Friedlander-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Eric-Friedlander-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3784\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eric Friedlander<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Since mixing is so subjective, addressing one of the most complicated tasks in mixing\u2014getting the right vocal\/instrument mix\u2014produces a variety of often-conflicting answers. To help get a wider perspective on this, I reached out to a few other sound engineers here at HARMAN Professional Solutions to get their take:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<\/ul><ul>\n<\/ul><ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/harman-pro\/faces-of-harman-eric-friedlander-manager-of-technical-resources-for-tour-audio\/\" target=\"_blank\">Eric Friedlander<\/a>, Business Development Manager, Tour Audio (and former audio engineer and stage hand)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/enterprise\/education\/tech-talks-audio-in-flexible-meeting-spaces\/\" target=\"_blank\">Doug Hall<\/a>, Product Manager, Device Control (and former production manager, broadcast audio engineer and touring sound crew chief)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/harman-pro\/tech-talks-simplifying-patching-when-running-sound-at-festivals\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pete Stauber<\/a>, Technical Support Engineer (and long-time tour audio engineer)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div id=\"attachment_3785\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3785\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3785\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Doug-Hall.jpg\" alt=\"Doug Hall\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Doug-Hall.jpg 250w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Doug-Hall-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Doug-Hall-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3785\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Doug Hall<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<\/ul><ul>The three members of my panel have all been on the Insights blog before, so it was great to welcome them back.<\/ul>\n\n<p>When I brought up the topic of vocal\/instrument balance, Eric Friedlander was quick to point out that part of the issue is not just the variance of opinions, but the variance of music styles as well:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>I think about the style of music I\u2019m mixing. Pop music or vocal-centric jazz could lead me to a more vocal-forward mix, whereas a rock show could allow me to sit the vocals a bit closer to the rest of the band. Once I\u2019ve established what sort of overall goal I\u2019m going for, it helps me make choices as far as what I do to make room for the vocals.\u00a0<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_3786\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3786\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3786\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Pete-Stauber.jpg\" alt=\"Pete Stauber\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Pete-Stauber.jpg 250w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Pete-Stauber-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/SQ-Pete-Stauber-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3786\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pete Stauber<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Eric is obviously correct on this point, and the distinction often comes down to the main focus of the composition (and of the artist). Musical styles where the vocalist is the true musical center of a piece need a certain amount of \u201cspace,\u201d so you can hear both the words to the song and the distinctive characteristics of the vocal performance. In other musical styles, such as rock, the instruments share equal \u201cweight\u201d with the vocals; the crushing guitar riff and instrumental solos are just as important as the singer. In those cases, you want to be sure the vocals share equal space with the other instruments, each yielding room at the appropriate point in the song.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, that\u2019s easier said than done. I asked my panel how to get a good vocal balance, and the consensus was that there are three main ways to accomplish this: stereo image placement, frequency adjustment and dynamics effects. Each of these is effective in its own right, and they can also be combined for maximum effect. Which approach(es) you use depends on the application.<\/p>\n<h2>Stereo Image Placement<\/h2>\n<p>When mixing vocals and instruments, stereo image placement is the act of panning certain instruments to make space. Eric Friedlander explains it this way:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>Generally, I like to make as much use of the L\/R space in the mix as possible, panning instruments out of center and making room down the middle for the main vocals. I may even cheat background vocals a hair left or right as well.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-3801\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Concert-Arrays-720x450.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Concert-Arrays-720x450.jpg 720w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Concert-Arrays-1170x731.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/hpro-web-assets.s3.amazonaws.com\/insights\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Concert-Arrays-340x213.jpg 340w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>This is an old technique, but still tried and true. Doug Hall pointed out that The Beatles were famous for hard panning, even on their vocal tracks. Doug explained the effectiveness of panning by stating:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>Panning stereo instruments is also a good way of mixing to create a layer of sounds and fitting in all of the musical elements in their appropriate perspective.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In other words, panning instruments and creating layers of sound allows you to \u201cplace\u201d sounds in virtual space, and the reason why this works is psychological. Our brains consider anything to our left or to our right to be less important than what is in front of us. By leaving the most important element (the vocals) in the center, our brains think of that as being in front, and thus, we pay more attention to it than elements that are on the left or right.<\/p>\n<p>You can also use a similar, related approach, using reverb effects. Rather than moving instruments to the left or right, using reverb effects instead moves instruments \u201cback\u201d in space (our brains interpret something with more echo as being farther away from us). This makes the vocals feel closer, and thus, clearer. Eric Friedlander states that this \u201chelps instruments slide back a little bit in the mix,\u201d though he rightfully points out that engineers should be careful with this approach, lest you lose detail or clarity.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequency Adjustment<\/h2>\n<p>Another method you can use to carve out space for vocals is by using frequency adjustment. Doug Hall explains this approach by stating:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>A key element to ensuring there is proper room for the vocals in the mix is creating space in the vocal frequency range, using equalization. There is a lot of competition in the 200 Hz to 1 kHz range, where most of the vocal details are, so sometimes using EQ to cut the instruments or boost the vocals in that range can help.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-3806\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wide-q-vocal-scoop.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"192\" height=\"170\" \/>The approach here is to locate instruments that are competing with vocals (pianos and acoustic guitars are often culprits), and use a parametric EQ node with a wide <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Q_factor\">Q factor<\/a> to scoop out frequencies in the 200 Hz to 1 kHz range. This allows the important vocal details to cut through the mix.<\/p>\n<p>To balance this, you may cut out or reduce vocal frequencies that might detract from other instruments. This is the reason engineers often place a high frequency (HF) shelf on the vocal track. It eliminates muddiness and can help instruments stand out on the lower end, while giving vocals presence in the appropriate range. Pete Stauber uses this same approach on his kick and bass. Pete explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>I usually give a little tight Q bump up in the kick at 60 Hz to 80 Hz range with a corresponding notch pulled down in the bass. I then give the bass a bump up around 100 Hz to 120 Hz (or up to 200 Hz, depending on the pickup on the bass) with a corresponding notch pulled down in the kick. That gives them their own \u201cspace\u201d in the mix and sets them off quite distinctly. Without this EQ, they sometimes get muddy and \u201cmashed\u201d together and lose their distinct punch.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-3803\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/concert-hands-720x450.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"188\" \/>Some may rightfully point out that \u201cnotching\u201d the tone this way does mean there is some tradeoff regarding the tone of the instruments. Eric Friedlander addresses this by explaining:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>I may have an amazing snare or guitar sound, but nobody goes home humming the snare or rhythm guitar part, so I may trade a little bit of my snare or guitar tone to make more room for a competing frequency in a male vocal, for instance. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In other words, taking this approach may mean not having the perfect tone for each instrument in isolation. However, it can help the instruments and vocals sound better together.<\/p>\n<h2>Dynamics Effects<\/h2>\n<p>The third way you can achieve better vocal\/instrument balance is by using dynamics effects to control variance in volume. Interestingly, this was the point on which our panel was most split. Each panelist had a slightly different approach to using compressors, but all three agreed that good compression settings were key to effective vocal placement.<\/p>\n<p>Doug Hall prefers a fairly heavy compression, the goal being to ensure all the rich characteristics of the vocals are loud enough to cut through the instruments:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>I like a 4:1 or 6:1 ratio and keep them pumping until I can hear an audible breathing, then back off the threshold. Some sound mixers don\u2019t like to compress, so they ride the vocal fader. That is just too much work for me. I prefer to ride instrument solos to bring them to the front when needed.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-3804\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/concert-wireless-small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"195\" \/>Conversely, Eric Friedlander argues for lighter compression, suggesting that a wider dynamic range brings more life to the vocals, allowing them to rise above the instruments at appropriate times:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>I\u2019ve seen people get a vocal sit in a mix before, but then they compress their mix to the point where it has no dynamic range to jump out above the instruments. I\u2019ll dial in a little bit of compression on the vocal channel strip, whatever is appropriate for the singer and their style, but I try to let as much dynamic range through. To me, that\u2019s a different approach than when you\u2019d use a compressor to manage a problematic singer (I\u2019m assuming a talented and capable source here). <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Finally, Pete Stauber votes for a bit of a middle path in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.soundonsound.com\/sound-advice\/q-what-does-parallel-compression-mean\" target=\"_blank\">parallel compression<\/a>. Parallel compression is an approach that duplicates the signal and uses both the dry and compressed signals in two parallel channels. This allows you to have one channel that is more compressed and grounded in the mix, while having another channel that uses only a limiter, preserving most of the original dynamics.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3810\" src=\"http:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Compressor-Path.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"155\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Pete explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>Proper compression and limiting on vocals is important, and parallel compression is a great way to do that. In fact, most vocals recorded and mixed in a studio (or live recording) are compressed in this manner. In live situations, you can usually use the compressor and the limiter together to achieve this level of compression. Then, you can lay the vocal in the mix, and it will not be overpowering, but won\u2019t get lost either.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Of course, as I said at the outset, tastes and musical styles vary, so the compression approach you use depends on both the music and what you like. However, by using a combination of stereo image placement, frequency adjustment and dynamics effects, you can go a long way to ensuring the vocals properly meld with the instruments, creating a pleasing final result.<\/p>\n<p>What is your favorite approach to getting vocals to sit in the mix? Share your insights in the comments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The longer I run sound, the more I realize how subjective a process it is to get a good mix. What sounds right to one engineer will sound terrible to another. What works for one artist on one song may not be the best approach<br><a class=\"moretag signature-animation\" href=\"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/entertainment\/touring\/getting-the-right-vocalinstrument-balance\/\">CONTINUE READING<\/a>","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,35,25],"tags":[],"application":[],"avlc":[],"brand":[],"product-category":[],"class_list":["post-3780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-barsclubs","category-house-of-worship","category-touring"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Getting the Right Vocal\/Instrument Balance - HARMAN Professional Solutions Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/pro.harman.com\/insights\/entertainment\/touring\/getting-the-right-vocalinstrument-balance\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Getting the Right Vocal\/Instrument Balance\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The longer I run sound, the more I realize how subjective a process it is to get a good mix. 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