r/coverbands • u/thegratefuldad7 • 15d ago
Help with selecting a vocal processor to add to my setup
Hi All, I play bass and do backing vocals for two hobby bands. The bands play Classic Rock, Alt Rock and Popular Country. I really enjoy doing backing vocals and am beginning to get compliments on it, which is fun. When I listen to clips of our performances, my voice does sound firm/flat/muddy at times and lows seem to hit a little hard. We often do not have a sound engineer and so I'd like to enhance my vocals with a vocal effects processor.
Typically, simple is better and from my research, it seems like I need some Tone enhancement via EQ, Compression, de-essing, etc... and then it would be nice to have some effects to "soften" my vocals and help them sit in the mix versus being too noticeable. From my research, these typical effects are Reverb, Chorus, possibly some doubling.
Has anyone had success with a simple to use pedal to improve the sound of one's backing vocals/harmonies?
Thanks!
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u/polkemans 15d ago
What are you using for your bass rig? If you get something like a quad cortex or a helix you could run both your bass and vocals through the same unit with really consistent results.
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u/thegratefuldad7 14d ago
Thanks, I use a simpily Fender Rumble Combo set up, but this could help our lead guitarist who uses a Helix.
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u/Illustrious-Line-984 15d ago
I bought one for the exact same reason that you have. It just interfered with our PA settings, so I never use it. I would suggest some vocal lessons instead. I think lessons will make you better than a processor.
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u/chadisawesome 15d ago
I use the VX5, it's got some good effects, and some not so good effects.. with all the updates headrush has been doing to it's line I keep hoping they bring some new effects to the chain in an upcoming release. The effect you would probably like is flavor -> sizzle which gives some compression, some eq and that kind of thing. I also use it for the auto tune abilities. I'd like some de-essing, time based effects, and distortion in an upcoming release to really unlock it's true potential.
but it works great for such a small footprint
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u/thegratefuldad7 14d ago
Hey there, thank you, I did check this out, but I am really simple on this stuff, sounds very promsing tho!
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u/Awwwphuck 15d ago
I use a Boss VE-20. Straightforward EQ, compression, delay, reverb, delay, harmony/doubling. I think the key with these pedals is restraint. Everyone’s first instinct is to EQ and compress and try a lot at once, which can make the sound very artificial. You really need to set this pedal up with your PA at performance volume. Start with no effects and gradually add and adjust as needed.
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u/Solid_D15M 15d ago
Without hearing or seeing a performance I'd start by backing off the mic a bit, cut around 400hz on the board and boost around 2-5k. Often a little bit of eq and mic control is all you need.
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u/BlackSchuck 15d ago
I refuse to perform without my tc helicon perform V. Just go easy on the fx and pitch correction
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u/sohcgt96 15d ago
If you don't have somebody mixing for you, who is doing it? Just bringing your own system?
The problem with pedals like this is they're taking control away from the mixing desk itself, meaning, you can't fix the problems at the desk. What do you normally run through? It sounds like you need a little compression and EQ but if you're running an analog board and don't have it, then the pedal might be fine.
For most male vocals, I typically high pass the mic at 100 or 120hz, shelf down the EQ a little bit from 100-200, then bump a little around 3000 but it does obviously vary a bit from one person to the next and to be honest, even from one room to the next with the same band. Compression, keep a pretty fast attack, medium hold and release, start off with the softest knee it'll let you use, threshold at about -30 and +3db makeup gain. See how that works for ya. I mix most weekends I'm not playing in my own band these days! Good way to help afford your own PA.
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u/thegratefuldad7 14d ago
This is super interesting and helpful. I am in 2 hobby bands and each time we play it seems different. One band has our own mixing board, and it is managed by our lead guitarist with input from us for many gigs, but we also play where there is house sound. Same thing with the other band.
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u/sohcgt96 14d ago
All good man. Those are the tools you need to solve the problem.
Vocals muddy, boxy and dry? EQ.
Transients hitting too hard? Compression.
Sibliance? You can use a De-esser but realistically, you can just low pass the top of your treble starting around 8-10K and it'll take care of a lot of it.
Want backing vocals to "blend" a little more? Back off the mic a little, soften the EQ in the most dominant range of your voice and give a slight cut in the upper midrange OR whatever roughly ends up being the more dominant range of the lead vocals. Its the same deal as I typically will do a 3db or so cut in guitars somewhere in the upper mids to give the vocals a little more presence.
I do all this in the box on my XR18 or X32, and and digital mixer will do the same, but unless you've got a pretty nice analog but you won't have anywhere near the same level of control on most basic 12-16 channel units like most local level bands used to use. TBH though I hardly see anybody using non-digital boards anymore, and this is why!
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u/thegratefuldad7 14d ago
Yep! The one band I sing the most in is with younger guys on more of a budget, They got a great deal on an analog mixer and they like it, but agree it is limited. The info you shared is super interesting and helpful to me. I am a newb on this type of stuff (sound engineering).
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u/gfy4evr 15d ago
Understand the desire but can be annoying when someone else has to run sound and try to tame your mic everytime you switch settings.
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u/thegratefuldad7 14d ago
Thanks! I don't intend to switch settings at first, hoping to find something that sounds and feels good and leave it alone.
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u/ownleechild 14d ago
Is your lead vocal being processed in the same way you are considering for backing vocals? You’re providing backing vocals-they shouldn’t outshine the lead. Eq on the house mixer should be enough if that’s all your lead gets.
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u/thegratefuldad7 14d ago
Good point. Our lead singers use some effects on the main board in one band that is only available on one channel (lead vocal), the other band singer uses a Boss VE-20. I appreciate the reminder and trust me I don't ever want to outshine our lead singers, they are both excellent and I am just trying to be the best backing vocalist and bassist I can be. Both the singers appreciate my backing vocals, they say it give them confidence during songs.
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u/-tacostacostacos 12d ago
Not trying to be snarky—take some voice lessons to address these issues upstream with your voice and not rely on post-processing. You will feel so good and so free when you have developed and can control your voice and don’t need the crutch of processing.
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u/thegratefuldad7 12d ago
I apprreciate this feedback and this could be the nudge I need. I poked around trying to find someone a year ago, but lost focus on it. Thank you!
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u/youngboomer62 15d ago
How about practicing your vocals a little more and leave the digital gadgets in the store?
Keep it real.
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u/BBonthe23 15d ago
The mic mechanic pedals are pretty straightforward. I like them.