Ted Blaisdell Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 I have a session next week where I have to make a vocalist sound like he's singing underwater. I was wondering if anyone has ever done this and if you used plug-in's or unconventional recording techniques. One method we've discussed is wrapping a 57 in a condom, putting it in a tub of water while the singer puts his face in the water and sings. I'm serious. Any tips would really help. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audiobotica Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Slap back with deep amplitude modulation. Add flange and/or chorus to taste. Steep high end roll-off. Extra mushy damped verb. Been a long time since I did this trick. Think that was everything I used. Yours in Music, Ben Fury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Bear in mind, what you may be thinking of as singing underwater is an effect you've seen and heard in movies or in novelty songs. The point is, no one actually sings underwater for most and quite possibly every instance this has been done on film, etc. Foley and sound effects editing is all about making you believe that what you see and what you hear match. What you hear is often created without any of the real sound the elements on screen might actually make. Audiobotica spelled out a darn good method to create this effect. Keep your mics out of water unless you need real sounds of underwater creatures! :D It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundcrafter Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 One super simple way to do it is to pull out high and low and really boost the mid on EQ. I'm going on basic knowledge and gear here, though. Also, try a flanger and set it with a very slow rate and the bandwidth just covering midrange. Those tricks get me the traditional, albeit rudimentary "underwater" sound...also sounds a little phone-ish :thu: "If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. Unless you are a table." -Mitch Hedberg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 I have vague memories of a band called "Nektar" who recorded an album called "A Tab in the Ocean"...where the lead vocal sounded underwatery...don't know how they did it. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundscape Studios. Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 I would say to keep the modulation rate at a minimum on the chorus/flange or whatever you end up using - too quick would be a dead giveaway that it's an effect, and not the real thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Tonk Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 I know this is gonna sound crazy,and I have no idea if it could ever work.......But I had a song I had contemplated getting an underwater sound on guitar and here's what I dreamed up but have never tried.Take a cheap speaker and mic that you're not gonna miss if all goes horribly wrong.Put the speaker in a garbage bag,and the mic in another and put'em in the bath tub with some kinda rack or stand to keep 'em in the correct spot.Like I said crazy idea but it may work ...who knows? jgc2002 is not responsible for damages ,injuries and or death as result of above post.Side effects include nasuea,dizziness,dry mouth,vomiting,blurred vision,nervousness,loss of memory and in extreme cases sexual side effects. www.mp3.com/salt_creek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECBRules Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 waves: enigma or Mondo Mod have good presets for that..... That is, if you have waves. http://www.kennyruyter.com/old/cowmix.mp3 <- Cowbell fever REMIX oh damn!!! http://www.eastcoastbands.com aka: ECBRules . thisOLDdude . keny . Scooch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halljams Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 Just grab some sort of notch filter and slide it around while they are singing Check out SUPERVIBE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagevibe Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 I have a friend who used to do a lot of jingles in Nashville. He did an ad for "Mr. Water Cooler" or something like that. He actually filled his mouth with water and sang the part. True underwater sound. No effects needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audiobotica Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 [quote]Originally posted by dino321: [b]I have a friend who used to do a lot of jingles in Nashville. He did an ad for "Mr. Water Cooler" or something like that. He actually filled his mouth with water and sang the part. True underwater sound. No effects needed.[/b][/quote]The other cheap way to do this effect is the old inex finger wiggled up and down on the lips while speaking/singing. Classic, effective. Yours in Music, Ben Fury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy clay Posted December 13, 2002 Share Posted December 13, 2002 How did the Beatles (George Martin) record those background underwater vocals on Yellow Submarine? I don't have all the documentation available, but I would think it would be available somewhere. They seem to have documented everything about the Beatles. Or that singing with a mouthful of water might work. I heard that on a album once depicting a guy drowning in the ocean. It sounded great! I'm trying to think but nuthin' happens.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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