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Old 05-29-2016, 02:36 AM   #1
Masi
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Default perceived loudness of vocals

I have troubles to find the correct balance for the main vocals. Depending on the speakers/headphones and the overall volume at playback they are either lost in the mix or blast fully into your ears. I've read about the Fletcher/Munson curve but that doesn't really help me to fix the issue.

The tutorials I've read/watched so far deal with EQ and compression with a few on reverb and delay. Are there any to help me with the loudness problem?

Thanx a lot for any tips,
Masi
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Old 05-29-2016, 03:00 AM   #2
Coachz
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Depending on the volume Fletcher Munson will play a role. Take your song and determine the volume it should be typically be played back at. If it's a ballad, probably not very loud, if it's metal, then cranking, rock and roll, medium loud. Then, mix to that volume. Make sure you have a good pair of neutral monitors and learn how they translate mixes to the real world by comparing the mixes on more outside devices.

Take Toto for example, many of their mixes are for audiophile systems with extremely deep base (High price of hate) and won't deliver that on normal systems. That is their target though. Figure your target and mix to it, volume wise and system wise.
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Old 05-29-2016, 03:06 AM   #3
MrBongo
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vocals require a lot of work to sit well in a typical rock song, because of the constant high volume of the rest of the instruments (*cough* guitars ).
Pretty heavy compression, often a slight broadband boost in the upper midrange, and lots of automation to help the compression work well. It´s not uncommon to make multiple changes for single words.

For different kinds of music, it´s not that bad, but usually it´s the same rules
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Old 05-29-2016, 11:38 AM   #4
Masi
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coachz View Post
Depending on the volume Fletcher Munson will play a role. Take your song and determine the volume it should be typically be played back at. If it's a ballad, probably not very loud, if it's metal, then cranking, rock and roll, medium loud. Then, mix to that volume.
My neighbours won't like this apporach to bedroom producing

BTW, I've seen frequency analyzers with weighing filters. I've also seen speaker simulators. So, wouldn't it be possible to create loudness simulators?

Thanx,
Masi
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Old 05-29-2016, 06:31 PM   #5
Tod
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masi View Post
My neighbours won't like this apporach to bedroom producing

BTW, I've seen frequency analyzers with weighing filters. I've also seen speaker simulators. So, wouldn't it be possible to create loudness simulators?

Thanx,
Masi
"Loudness simulators", I don't think so, unless it would be earphones, but with earphones just turn up the volume.

I think there are simulators for earphones, but I haven't a clue what they are or if they're any good.
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Old 05-29-2016, 06:50 PM   #6
Coachz
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Masi View Post
My neighbours won't like this apporach to bedroom producing

BTW, I've seen frequency analyzers with weighing filters. I've also seen speaker simulators. So, wouldn't it be possible to create loudness simulators?

Thanx,
Masi
Mix with some nice Shure Srh840 headphones or mix when they are mowing the lawn.
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Old 05-29-2016, 08:13 PM   #7
Bristol Posse
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ride the faders until you get the consistency you want
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