Vocals Mix Conundrum

At the moment I am working on mixing and mastering a song - lyrics by Dawn Sinclair - vocals by Amy Caldwell.

The song is finished in all musical respects - but I am having a problem getting the vocals to sound as if they are in the same space as the instruments. As it is Electronica, there is a degree of complexity and of course a beat.

I want it to sound as if there are guys surrounding Amy, playing live synths - clearly then it is a function of how I group the instruments. I have kick/claps/hats/perx. -( A more supporting role than a banging affair -)There is a synth bassline - A quasi guitar like instrument - Strings Pad - a few layered plucky synths - there are also the mono vocals and vocal harmonies -

How should I go about grouping and more importantly creating the right reverb for each group?

Any clever technical hints appreciated!

I am using Logic Pro 8.

[GavV]

Hi mate. I am not technically trained in any way so others may have better techniques but for me the idea is to get every channel independantly compressed and sat in its own frequency as much as possible, then just use the master mixer to adjust the final volume to blend everything. If the dynamics are not even then it doesn't matter what volume you play a channel at it will sound wrong in the mix. If the dynamics are pumped and the frequencies spread it will give that enveloping sound & don't be afraid to strip lower/higher frequencies to give more room for the dynamics from other channels that can make better use of that space. Point is, give the vocals its own timbre/frequency in the mix and let everything else happen around it.

[TonyMiller]

Hi Phil

A trick I use to graft a vocal into an electronic mix is to (a) make sure the vocal track is stereo and (b) add a little trace of 'ear candy' chorus to the vox, so it pans about slightly and feathers the edges so they sit into the mix. By ear candy I mean a slow subtle chorus

Hope that helps.

[MoonTurnedBlue]

Thanks Gav and Tony - great advice there. I have copied and pasted them for future reference!