Hip-Hop/rap mixing?!?!?!

[musicnsoul]

well i'ma rapper and i'm having problems mixing down the masters.
i'm working with cubase le with an audiotechnicia mic and presonus firepod interface..

i've got a clear recording but not too sure how to mix the songs down properly to where it'll sound good enough. it might b my speakers i've got a pair of m-audio studio pro, but if anyone's got any advice/tips/techniques on how to mix in the hip-hop/rap genre then i'd preciate a little knowledge...

[thesilentdrummer]

I'm no expert on Hip Hop (nor are many people here), but if you post an example of what you have in bash this Mix, we may be able to help you.

In response to your immediate question, can you be more specific? It's like back in High School when you tell your teacher "I don't get it." Great! That doesn't help much. We know you don't get it cuz you failed your last few tests. But if you say "I don't get how to factor out the y terms, like in problem number 35.", then the teacher can help you out. Same is true with mixing. So you can post a mix, or you can say something like "I am having trouble getting my drums to come forward in the mix.", or you can do both in one post.

[DogpitStudios]

Have you done overdubs for the vocals? That could help fatten up your voice if that's the problem you are having.

[elvisgoncalo]

i am suggesting you to use the Fruity Loops 7 XXL Producer edition,>!!!for Hip-Hop / rap.!!

you can do you final mixing wth this program!!

[brandondrury]

Unless I needed specific loop functionality (which Cubase also has) I'd probably stick with Cubase. With that said, I'm guessing that Cubase Studio 4 would have better loop functionality than Cubase LE.

[orsup]

I have done quite a bit of mixing in that genre. It is essential that your vocals are full and the only real way for that is to double them with whatever you have handy. You can try doing3-4 takes and get as close to the original as possible then pan one hard right, the other hard left. EQ them slightly different. Now work on the main (center) vocals. Make sure you use some compression to fatten them up. Another trick is to use the Antares VX doubler. Sounds good and gives quick results.


Good Luck

[brandondrury]

Why don't you post a mix in Recording Reviews.

Brandon

[RuffianSoldier]

over dubs are a key thing in hip hop.
they need to be pretty spot on. telephone bandpass filters are good on overdubs....

the great thing about hip hop and electronic vocals is you can do whatever you want with vocals, especially if you are the artist!

it all depends on the beat. sometimes i will use some crazy "metalizing" effect on the vocals if it sounds good with the music.

also, i like heavy, intense, compression on my vocals... but this is personal preference. but you should always compress hip hop vocals even if its not to the extreme.

also, i like to cut out low end (under 150hz) so it doesnt compete with the bangin bass lines and kick drum

this is just me though, theres no wrong way to mix most of the time...

also automate some delay effects here and there (maybe the last few words of a verse)

[brandondrury]

over dubs are a key thing in hip hop.
they need to be pretty spot on. telephone bandpass filters are good on overdubs....

I guess your definition of "overdub" is different that mine. To me "overdub" means any tracks that are done at a different time than the band recorded. Of course hip hop doesn't usually have a band, so maybe that's where the difference in terminology comes in.

this is just me though, theres no wrong way to mix most of the time...

Agreed, but only if the results come out how you like it.

Brandon

[RuffianSoldier]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I guess your definition of "overdub" is different that mine. To me "overdub" means any tracks that are done at a different time than the band recorded. Of course hip hop doesn't usually have a band, so maybe that's where the difference in terminology comes in.

yea, i know what you mean.