5 Classic Vocal Chains, 5 Different Sounds
This post is the first in part of a series where we will explore different recording signal chains and how combining different gear can create different tones and textures.
Signal chains are like recipes; all the ingredients and cooking techniques come together to make something very special and unique. Just because a recipe has sugar in it, doesn’t mean the final product is sweet. Recording and signal chains are the same way. The whole is much more unique, not necessarily greater, than the sum of its parts.
We’re looking at 5 classic vocal chains. The sound profile of these vocal chains have been used by some of the most talented and respected vocalists in the recording industry.
For each vocal chain, we will cover:
- What's In The Chain?
- Sound Profile
- Famous Artists Who Have Used This Chain
- Why This Chain?
Let's get started!
Sound Profile:
Defined high-end with clarity and brilliance. Open-sounding preamp with selectable frequency emphasis. Compression that can go from gentle and transparent to “grabby” and tight depending on settings. Add the BUS-COMP to create a big-studio console sound to the whole mix bus.
Who Can You Sound Like?
Kendrick Lamar, Justin Bieber, Drake, Eminem, Mariah Carey.
Why This Chain?
The WA-8000 mic brings pristine highs that rise from 10-12K and taper off to roll off the harshest treble frequencies. The WA73 brings an open, saturated tone depending on the settings. This makes the initial mic/preamp combo so versatile. Dial in the WA73 for more clarity to keep the WA-8000 pristine, or raise the input gain (red knob) to get more saturation for an underground vibe. The compressor you choose will depend on whether you’re trying to control the vocal dynamics strongly so there’s little change in volume (choose the WA76) or gently bump down the peaks (choose the WA-2A) on a dynamic vocal singing performance.
Add a BUS-COMP at the end of the vocal bus or overall mix to get that “big console” sound, made popular by major label radio hits from the 90s-2000s and still sought-after today.
Sound Profile:
Warm, big bottom-end from the mic. Powerful mids with clarity and a low noise floor from the preamp. Gentle, “musical” compression that comes off as transparent from the WA-2A.
Who Can You Sound Like?
Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Black Keys, Adele, Etta James.
Why This Chain?
Ideal for crooners, vocalists that want to be front-and-center - with minimal dynamic control. Songs using this chain demand subtle changes in volume based on the energy of the song. Use the WA-47 to emphasize the lower-mids and smooth out the highs and remove sibilance. The WA-MPX can be used “wide-open” to bring some sheen to the highs, or, engage the 2 kHz low-pass filter to roll off all of the high end and accentuate the upper-mids. The WA-2A gently controls transients and inconsistent volume while the EQP-WA can cut or boost the key frequencies of the part.
Sound Profile:
Almost-flat before gentle upper-mids emphasis that comes off as clarity in vocals. Punchy, midrange-focused pre that handles transients and percussive parts well. Strong dynamics control with distinct sonic character of FET compression.
Who Can You Sound Like?
Pro Electric Guitar Recordings from the 70s-on. Freddie Mercury, David Lee Roth, David Bowie.
Why This Chain?
When you have a track that requires authoritative punch with instruments in the rhythm section, this chain is a perfect choice. The Microphone passes midrange clarity and passes that right into the preamp that accentuates those tones. The WA76 is the ultimate analog hardware compressor for strong dynamic control. The WA76 will pull down the loud parts and deliver more transformer-balanced tone and cut through any mix.
Freddie Mercury and Brian May of Queen in the studio, 1980s pic.twitter.com/D1CTsuNJU3
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) November 11, 2021
Sound Profile:
Gradual boost in the upper-mids and high end, some sibilance. Open-sounding preamp with selectable frequency emphasis. Strong dynamics control with distinct sonic character of FET compression.
Who Can You Sound Like?
Many lead and background vocal tracks from major pop & rock recordings. Justin Timberlake, Ed Sheeran, Calvin Harris.
Why This Chain?
This is the classic “big studio vocal” chain. The original 87-style mic has been featured on vocal tracks with unparalleled consistency since its inception in the late 1960s, just as the preamps in the famed large-format British consoles that the WA73-EQ is based on. The WA76 brings powerful compression to make sure the vocals never stray too far from a consistent volume, a key element necessary for making editing and mixing easier down the line.
Sound Profile:
Gentle mid-to-high end boost. Open-sounding preamp, gentle, “musical” compression that comes off as transparent.
Who Can You Sound Like?
Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera, Tom Petty, Michael Jackson, Alanis Morissette, and Taylor Swift.
Why This Chain?
The WA-CX12 brings gentle boosts and cuts starting in the upper-mids and tapering off around 14 kHz, removing sibilance. This gives listeners the impression of clarity with smooth high-end. The WA73-EQ provides a wide-open preamp without too much “punch”, allowing the fullness of the CK12-style capsule to shine through. The EQ section in the pre makes it easy to adjust frequencies as-needed before compression. The WA-2A acts as a final adjustment to control dynamics on loud portions of the recording that need to come down to fit the song.