How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

[SabbathFan0220]

I have another recording question for those of you who have some studio experience.

How do I get some grit/breakup/distortion on vocals? I'm thinking along the lines of Nine Inch Nails. I probably won't go this far with it, but the chorus (at 0:50) of Heresy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DmGJrrLCQE

Is it done by clipping the preamp? I don't know anything about mic preamps, I've been plugging my condenser mic straight into my USB interface. Is this an effect I can accomplish with a VST plugin?

My mic is a Rode NT1-A. Thanks guys.

EDIT: Another good example is at 1:05 of I Do Not Want This:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKNo3J4daDk

 

[rashayritto]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

a lot of times people "re-amp" recorded vocals through a guitar amp and record the signal. You can do that with guitar stompbox vst's or amp vst's. Im sure there are tons of other ways but this is a method i've used in the past

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Hopefully, somewhere amongst the effects section of your DAW, you will find a process named Bit Reduction.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Just patch in a dirt box...

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Cut some of the lows and highs from the vocal before sticking it through a dirt box . . . it seems to make the vocal sound extra lo-fi/old school.

 

[RobSoundtrack]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Parallel compression

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Thanks for all the replies.

Funkfingers...I'm using Reaper, I'll look for Bit Reduction. What exactly does it do?

RobSoundtrack...What's Parallel Compression?

Everyone else...Can anyone recommend a specific VST amp model or distortion? I've tried a couple and they all distort the vocal so much you can't distinguish words anymore. It turns it into noise/mush, even with the gain set pretty low.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Funkfingers...I'm using Reaper, I'll look for Bit Reduction. What exactly does it do?

Most graphic representations of digital audio recording illustrate the source soundwave as a smooth line that modulates over time and the recording as a series of "stepped" samples of discreet momentary values along that line.

Reducing the bit count of a recording reduces the resolution, making it sound coarser or more "grainy". In crude terms, the "steps" become more apparent. These "steps" bear a passing resemblance to analogue audio clipping. Hence, the distortion.

I use Apple Logic. On this, some of the controls for the Bit Reduction process are presented as linear sliders. It is then a matter of raising and/or lowering the slider until one arrives at the desired degree of filth.

EDIT: The YouTube video version of "Heresy" that you have posted seems to be plagued by an audio artefact similar to aliasing. This does not occur on any of the versions of the song that I have on CD.

 

[rashayritto]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Everyone else...Can anyone recommend a specific VST amp model or distortion? I've tried a couple and they all distort the vocal so much you can't distinguish words anymore. It turns it into noise/mush, even with the gain set pretty low.

I've succesfully used tubescreamer VST's on vocals. I usually turn the tone knob all the way down and adjust dirt to taste. Try the free one by Simuanalog, their entire free guitar suite is pretty handy

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

Sorry I forgot about this thread. Thanks so much to all that replied.

I tried a bunch of the VST's suggested and I've been having great results with the Tube Screamer.

 

[DankStar]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

part of the fun of recording, at least for me, is experimenting with weird stuff. anything that distorts guitars can distort a voice - some sound more pleasing than others. one I love to grab is the the free camel compressor - a lot of great voice-altering distortions/compressions in there.

woah, old thread, oh well, hehe

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: How to add some "grit" to studio vocals?

The Line6 Toneports or what ever they call them now have a Neve mic pre that you can dial in some grit. A good mic pre that has color to it or a plugin that emulates a vintage pre.