I looked ALL over yesterday for a way to create that "studio" quality in vocals FOR A SONG. And this is what I Found!
Before I start i'd like to begin with DO NOT USE THIS FOR VOCALS DEALING WITH VOICE ACTING. I mean you could, but i'd imagine it wouldnt sound very good lol.
Also, this tutorial will be directed to Adobe Audition users, however i'm sure that many of the other programs have similar options that if you play around with you can find the same effect, just a different name.
SO THEN.. Let's open up Adobe Audition.
♦•♦•♦ STEP 1: ♦•♦•♦
Record yourself! Be sure it is mono and not stereo. Mono is MUCH easier to work with ^.^
○ make sure you are in "edit mode" which is wave form. (located upper left)
♦•♦•♦ STEP 2: ♦•♦•♦
ADD THE EFFECTS!
○ as a walk through similar to directions to access a file on your computer (EX. C:>Program Files>Adobe.. etc, etc.)
Click Effects > Amplitude and Compression > Amplify..
○ Now a window will pop up and this is kind of self explanatory, I typically use the +1 dB Boost because I feel my voice is already pretty loud. However some of you may feel you need a little more "oomph" in your voice, so feel free to play with the presets, I'm almost positive one will work for you.
Click Effects > Amplitude and Compression > Dynamic Processing
○ Select "CLASSIC SOFT KNEE" as your preset and then click the tab over named SETTINGS (located next to dynamic in the pop up window)
○ You want your settings to look like this: (HOWEVER feel free to make SLIGHT changes if you feel unhappy with the preset, be sure to save it tho)
Click Effects > Filter and EQ > Graphic Equalizer (20 Bands)
○ Set the preset to 20 Band Classic V
Click Effects > Filter and EQ > Parametric Equalizer
○ Set the preset to Loudness Maximizer
Click on Effects > Reverb > Studio Reverb
○ Set the preset to Small Reverb (first time) and listen to your vocals (preview) to see if you like it.
○ IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT. Change it..
TOO MUCH: I decreased the room size just a smidge, the early reflections, I added some more damping, and decreased the wet and dry by a bit.
NOT ENOUGH: Similar to if there was too much, only I'd increase instead of decreasing. also it wouldn't hurt to add some extra decay.
Click on Effects> Amplify and Compression > Hard Limiting
○ Select the preset as Light. This is also changeable, but i wouldn't mess with it too much.
And there you have it! Studio quality vocals for your song for whatever song you're singing.
You may want to use Noise Reduction FIRST if you do not have a great mic. In which case..... the fastest way I've known to do it is:
Click effects> Noise Reduction / Restoration> Noise Reduction (process)
○ you could use one of the presets if you prefer, however this is how i do it:
○ Click CAPTURE NOISE PRINT
○ change the REDUCE BY to anywhere close to 10 where you're recording won't suffer volume.
○ you may also want to experiment for what suites you best.
Goodluck and have fun recording!
