Vocal Mixing

Was wondering how everyone mixes their vocals. What kind of delay and what rate do you use it at, also compression. I know it's a vast subject however what would put me in the ball park? I try to give the vocals an extra push by dubbing them but the overall mix gets too cluttered doing that. Looking for any tips.

One more thing, when mixing a song, do you guys mix the sample if it comes off of a record? I only ask because when I am mixing, I am assuming that the sample has already been mixed and mastered by the original artists. No? Thanks Guys.

here are a few things i do when mixing vocals

i usually low kut the vocals, at around 80-120hz. also take something out around the 10k. (i´m talking rap vocals here). the other frequencies really depend on the source, but I will always cut before the compression, and boost frequencies after the comp. even tho i have a pre amp for the recording part, I always compress the vocals a little bit, maybe 3-5db of gain reduction. parallel compression can help to make the vocals sound more in your face.
dubbing the parts can work wonders too. maybe stack like 3 vocals parts, and mix the dubs "underneath" the main vocal track. they should match well of course meaning all in timing you know. this way you can make it sound more "full". i don´t use delays a lot, sometimes i like adding a reverb. use it as a send and not an insert effect tho. like you mix the reverbed signal back to the original source.

as far as mixing a sample from a record, i think the answer pretty much is yes. it really depends on the rest of the mix. if the sample fits in well without having to manipulate the tonality, leave it as it is. but if you talk mixing a project with many individual tracks / instruments, then you really should think about applying eq and stuff on these sounds too.

i guess serious mixing takes years of practice. of course i´m also still in a learning process. over the years i realized that sometimes less is more. simple rule is learning by doing. just bring a lot of patience and interest. always try to use your ears

RepRSP wrote:here are a few things i do when mixing vocals

i usually low kut the vocals, at around 80-120hz. also take something out around the 10k. (i´m talking rap vocals here). the other frequencies really depend on the source, but I will always cut before the compression, and boost frequencies after the comp. even tho i have a pre amp for the recording part, I always compress the vocals a little bit, maybe 3-5db of gain reduction. parallel compression can help to make the vocals sound more in your face.
dubbing the parts can work wonders too. maybe stack like 3 vocals parts, and mix the dubs "underneath" the main vocal track. they should match well of course meaning all in timing you know. this way you can make it sound more "full". i don´t use delays a lot, sometimes i like adding a reverb. use it as a send and not an insert effect tho. like you mix the reverbed signal back to the original source.

as far as mixing a sample from a record, i think the answer pretty much is yes. it really depends on the rest of the mix. if the sample fits in well without having to manipulate the tonality, leave it as it is. but if you talk mixing a project with many individual tracks / instruments, then you really should think about applying eq and stuff on these sounds too.

i guess serious mixing takes years of practice. of course i´m also still in a learning process. over the years i realized that sometimes less is more. simple rule is learning by doing. just bring a lot of patience and interest. always try to use your ears

That helps a lot. Thanks Man. I'm sure i'll have a few more questions once I start applying these techniques. Thanks Again.