Re: [ARSCLIST] Not using headphones

[Aaron Levinson <aaron.levinson@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

When doing background vocals for Salsa records I normally record three 
vocalists on one mic
in a small booth with the mic set either to cardioid or omni depending 
on the situation. Frequently the guys will cut "one on one off" with 
only one side of the cans on their ears on so they can hear each other 
in the room as well through the cue system. Then we repeat the process 
three times.
Ultimately, we end up with multiple passes of three voices to fill out 
the three part harmony. Sometimes if it feels necessary we might even do 
a pass that doubles the lower part of the harmony if we want more energy 
in the bottom. I find that a ribbon like an RCA 77 is the best choice as 
ribbons have a totally linear off-axis response. So that you don't get 
the weird bumps and dips that
you typically find with condensers. Also while these older mics don't 
have the top end of a modern condenser they more than make up for that 
in the silky and natural sound that they impart to the final result.

Aaron



Tom Fine wrote:
> The reason I thought it might be that is that two guys at a time would 
> be in close, on opposite sides of the mic, like radio duos used to do 
> with an RCA ribbon mic in figure-8 pattern. It might have been omni 
> and they were taking advantage of the two middle points, with the 
> softer sounds spaced in the circle. Anyway, these guys were great at it.
>
> Another bunch that could work a mic (note: A mic, as in single mic) 
> were the Jordanaires.
>
> Bob, how did the Motown groups record the group harmonies -- one mic 
> or several? I'm guessing one mic and no headphones in the early days. 
> And, was the lead singer part of the overall group or did they have a 
> separate mic? Same room or booth or separate? I've always loved the 
> way the vocals cut through everything on those records, especially 
> Diana Ross and Martha and the Vandellas.
>
> -- Tom Fine
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lou Judson" <loujudson@xxxxxxx>
> To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 10:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Not using headphones
>
>
> Bob, do you find many or any who use figure 8? I've never run into
> that, though it seems likely some would.
>
> <L>
>
> Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
> 415-883-2689
>
> On Aug 29, 2006, at 6:53 PM, Bob Olhsson wrote:
>
> > > There's a great blue-grass band... ...They work around one mic, 
> > > probably a dual-capsule condenser set at
> > > figure 8.
> >
> > This is real popular with the bluegrass crowd. I've seen a stage get 
> > switched from post '70s conventional to that setup. The sound gets 
> > about 15 dB softer and 150% better. They can't run stage monitors 
> > that way so you also don't have that confusion.
> >
> > -- =