Recording vocals.

[Bellringer]

Like many others, I'm always toying with different ways to get the best vocal recording possible. Different mics, rooms treatment, compression, effects, and on....
Of course, I'm not looking for magic. I know there are plenty of different aspects to achieving a good take. I am wondering about avoiding recordings that seems to be thin, quiet and unfocused in the mix. I'm wondering about the concepts of 2nd order harmonics and overdriving the record channel for "warmth". I'm wondering if this is something only achieved properly with tubes and tape or if someone can suggest a channel strip, compressor or preamp that will give a bit more of an up front, thick, warm, 70's type of sound. I'm not looking for a computer plug in but have been curious about the Joe Meek channel strips or other options on a $600 or lower budget. I'm trying to get a warmer, in-your-face type of vocal for some songs.
So......... Whaddya think?

[GearJunkie]

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[Bellringer]

Thanks Gearjunkie. The last thing I would have imagined doing the trick would be a $40 Bad Monkey!

[dagosto]

You don't need tubes to make an overdriven channel sound sweet. The best sounding overdriven channel I have heard was on an SSL board.

Something tells me an overdriven JoeMeek pre will not sound all that great. Although it may improve the clean sound from what you've got. I would recommend adding color to the sound after the preamp stage unless you are going for a gritty sound. To get the smooth warm "finished" sound I would reccomend a compressor.

Probably the most revered way of adding harmonics to a vocal track is with an optical compressor. The most famous of these is the LA-2A from Teltronix. Universal Audio makes it now. Avalon and Purple audio also make very nice compressors of this sort.

One method I have had success with using a high threshold and ratio with fast attack and realease as a peak limiter before tape or A/D. After recording I'll run signal back out to the same compressor with the opposite settings to gently ride the gain for mixdown.