I'm not an expert on vocal harmony--that's why I use an external harmonizer. However, Dan, also known as Big741 on the PSR-tutorial forum, has posted some incredible MP3 files using his vocal harmony settings and the Yamaha vocal processor. They're outstanding to say the least. His settings are as follows:
Things to help tracking (some, if not all of this has already been said):
- use a GOOD QUALITY MICROPHONE. Using a $50.00 Radio Shack special may
disappoint you. Also make sure the trim is set appropriately (on the back of
the keyboard) - green mic level light flashing is good, red or solid green,
not so good. Try to keep it out of the speaker wash, if possible. The less
noise and the more vocal that go into the mic, the better. If you are
recording, consider using a pair of headphones to totally eliminate this.
- with my setup, I've found that dialing out 450 Hz (approx -5 to -10 db)
will help with tracking. The EQ will vary depending on your mic, speakers,
etc. I have found that the VH likes a little less bass in order to track
properly. Experimentation will reveal if this works for you or not.
- Try using the vocal compressor if you aren't already. I have mine set to
Threshold= -20, Ratio 7, Output 91. These settings may have come from Gary
(thanks Gary). Be careful when playing with the compressor, as too much
compression may lead to some annoying feedback (howling).
- Try to sing in tune and pay attention to your dynamics (changes in
volume). If you're not in tune, how do you expect the VH to be ? Dynamics
should be as smooth and gradual as possible.
Some of my favorite VH types:
StdDuet, MenChoir, MixAcapChoir, and Mixed Choir. Without a doubt, StdDuet
is my favorite. Maybe its because I spent a few years singing 2 part harmony
in bands. All of these VH types have been edited to remove the vibrato.
Removing the vibrato gives a much more natural sound (to my ear), and allows
you to bring the VH level up some, as it sounds a little less like a
yodeling convention. To edit the VH parameters, do the following:
1. Press the MIC SETTING/VOCAL HARMONY button
2. Select VOCAL HARMONY TYPE (button H)
3. Select the harmony type you want
4. Select EDIT at the bottom
5. Press the PARAMETER scroll down button to highlight VIBRATO DEPTH
6. Decrease the number for less vibrato and increase it for more
7. Do the same for VIBRATO RATE and VIBRATO DELAY ( I typically use VIB
DEPTH=16, VIB RATE=12, and VIB DELAY=0)
8. Select SAVE (button I) and save your new settings or else they won't be
there after a power down
One last tip from another post of mine which works well when recording:
If you sing a note or sustained phrase with the VH off and switch it on
while sustaining the note or phrase, there is a noticeable dropout as the VH
switches on or off. Kinda like laaa "hic" laaa. This is not really
acceptable, especially when recording. When I do my vocal track(s) I use the
same setup as before: select your VH type, pick any style, and turn the
style volume to zero. What I used to do was to hit the sync start button,
play my chord, (hitting the sync start allows you to take your left hand off
of the keyboard - ie: you don't have to hold the chord down for the VH to
work) and start singing, using the foot pedal to turn the VH on and off and
getting the resultant dropout. What I do now is to not select sync start,
turn the VH on at the beginning of the song and only play chords when I want
the VH to sing. Because the VH is already on, when you play a chord you get
a seamless transition without any dropout. It sounds complicated, but only
because I haven't described it all that well...
Hope this helps someone
dan
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Travlin' Easy
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