In this part, we’re going to consider types of compression and equalization and the use of de-essing techniques. So, we’re going on with how to mix rap and hip-hop vocals. The rhythm tracks will duck when the vocals come in and go back to normal when the vocals exit. A little tight compression can go a long way to bring your rap or hip hop vocals out in front of the mix while the spreading and parallel compression helps it sit nicely in the mix at the same time. Though this tip deals expressly with Hip Hop, it applies also to House, Trip Hop, Crunk, Grime, any genre requiring maximum punch. Table of Contents The Basic Purpose of Compression on […] So… 6. If you are a beginner at compression, start out trying a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio for hip hop vocals and go from there. Compression is a difficult subject because there is so much you can do with it. So you’ve recorded, edited and mixed some killer vocals and now you’re ready to compress the song to make it sound professional. * Set the threshold so that when the vocals come in, the rhythm tracks simultaneously decrease (or duck) by 2dB to 3dB. The track that I mix in the video is a Hip-Hop track, and in Hip-Hop its very commonplace when mixing to try and get the emcee’s (rapper) vocals to sound big and impactful to the listener. 6. Typical settings may look like this: Threshold: –8dB. depending on the emcee, 2-3 db of compression at 2:1 or 3:1 should be good. Rap vocal compression. IF you have any setting or technique for finding the perfect vocal compression, add your comment and share that trick to other music producers. I highly recommend you check out part 1 & part 2 before reading this article. Ratio: 1.5:1–2:1 Other Useful Articles. Again with today’s non destructive recording and mixing … By using Parallel Compression it allows me to give the vocal the size and weight that I need to get it to really poke its head out in front of the mix. Well, you’ve come to the right place. What are the optimal compression settings for a Hip Hop snare, kick, bass, or percussion? even in the final mix i dont think ive ever seen more than 4:1 ratio on vocals (unless its for an effect). Mixing Tip: How To Use Glue Compressor FX Chain; 50 Free VST Plugins For Vocals A good compression setting has a fast attack to catch the stray transient, a quick release so that the compression doesn’t color the sound of the singer, and a low ratio so that when the compressor does go on, it smoothes out the vocals without squashing them. Since vocals in rap and hip-hop music first and foremost take on a rhythmical role, you should avoid fast attack times during compression. In Hip Hop, if you want to compress like the best, you need knowledge of standard compressor settings used by Hip Hop producers. SALE: 25% off Mixing Hip-Hop today (discount code: MHH25) Time for the third installment of the Mixing Rap Vocals series: Compression. In this article, I’ll cover how you can learn to compress vocals like the pros -- the engineering gods. Well, here are compression settings and tips which I use to compress vocals. As a mix engineer, using sidechain compression on vocals is the technique that I find myself using the most. if the rapper takes a lot of loud breathes, then i would use no compression. i would say a 5:1 ratio is too high. This also helps to keep them even throughout the song. With that being said, do not over compress your vocals and stack 3 compressors one after the other leaving no dynamic range in the vocals. Remember, every vocal track is different and there is no template or magic compressor setting. For rhythm tracks, you can use a higher ratio, ranging from 5:1 to 7:1. By sidechaining the vocal and compressing guitars, keys, backing vocals – or even the everything EXCEPT the vocals… You can subtly create more room in the mix for the vocals …