Mix with the Masters
Add width and size with short delay and chorus
Tom Elmhirst enhances the width and size of jazz and pop vocals using a combination of short delay and chorus effects. He employs the UAD Brigade Chorus to add warmth and width, creating a "cotton wall" feeling around the vocal without overwhelming it. Additionally, Elmhirst uses the Valhalla DSP Delay set to a slap delay with no feedback, providing depth and a sense of space while maintaining clarity and intimacy in the vocal performance. This approach ensures the vocals sound bigger and more engaging, fitting seamlessly into the mix.
Mix with the Masters
Using two compressors in series on the vocal
Tom Elmhirst demonstrates using two compressors in series on rock vocals, employing a UREI 1176LN for fast, aggressive compression and a Tube-Tech CL 1B for slower, more controlled dynamics. This combination allows for maximum flexibility and control over the vocal's presence in the mix. The signal path includes a Neve 1081, which provides subtractive EQ and occasional high-end boosts, with low-end filtering at 47 Hz. The UREI 1176LN compresses quickly, achieving about 3 dB of gain reduction, while the Tube-Tech CL 1B offers a slower release, akin to a Fairchild 670 on a slower 3 release setting.