Soundcraft UI16 Vocal Setup

This is how I would do a very quick setup on a vocalist in a live setting. The vocal track is from a multitrack recording made on a Presonus Live mixer. I fed the vocal track into the UI16. I was mixing in headphones, so the EQ likely would have been different in an actual venue.

[@williamgioioso1330]

Nice basic setup, I haven't tried using that much delay but in hearing the effect, it sounds very good. I typically start with the presets and go from there. Thanks Bob!

[@BiggyRatShanksRkive]

Very nice! Clean and distinct vocal track👍🎶

[@BojanBojovic]

This is basically a VCA compressor type so it will benefit a lot if the attack is set at no more than 3ms, also dbx often sounds the best with its over-easy turned on. As for the EQ, it does not sound as far as bad as that abysmal EQ curve. :)

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Ha! That curve is nasty. There must be something goofy in how I pulled that track into the UI. Thanks for the tips.

[@SkyLiink]

@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer dont listen to these peeps, do whatever the heck you want with the EQ. Of course there might be reasons why people dont do this and do that, but in the end, if you dont have feeding, or any harsh noises, then do whatever you feel like mistah! If it sounds good, IT SOUNDS GOOD! :)

[@richardborg8196]

Great video, if you would comment on what you’re looking for, at each setting it would be even better for starting technicians!

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Perhaps the same video with more detailed commentary. Good idea.

[@richardborg8196]

@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer Would love that!

[@paddyeire96]

I second this! Be grand. Also, would be great to see the de esser used/explained. Thanks bob!

[@chucksaeger7500]

May I ask: Are you using headphones while applying your touches or through your pa speakers? Thanks

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Good question. I'm not sure. I think it was my old crappy headphones. I've since upgraded to the Sony 7506.

[@gaelestevez1355]

Very cool, the only problem I hear is this, the make up gain is just too much, to the “bad” point, you can hear it as soon as you reached the 6.5db makeup a feedback started to sound in the PA, the voice is not getting constant -9db of gain reduction because he’s a great singer, so if you raise up the makeup gain too much you are increasing the bleed from the other instruments by 9db all the time, even when the compressor is not acting, the whole point of the compressor is to control the vocal, so is better if you after adjusting the desire threshold take a look at the gain reduction and put the make up to the average gain reduction, I’ll rather set the gain reduction to -6 and not using the make up, that way you can control the loudest parts without the bleed and you won’t get any feedbacks! The gain reduction is better used in a studio environment, on live situations can give you a really hard time. Ps: sorry for the “chat pro” is just my take on this, but great videos!

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Good points. Actually, that feedback occurred during the live performance. That was done by a sound company using a Presonus Studiolive mixer. I was playing guitar on that gig. I made this video using the tracks that were recorded, feeding them into the UI16, and mixing with headphones. I'll be doing a video soon where I'll be looking at a saved mix I did for a band a few years ago. It will be interesting to see how I used the make up gain on an actual live gig. I don't remember. I do like compression on vocals.

[@tientieuviet9903]

Have you noticed that every time the vocals start playing, the background music automatically turn down, and when the singing stops, it gets louder again? Is it a default function on the UI16? How can I turn it off?

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

I have not noticed that. Are you running a compressor on the main outs? That could cause the effect if the vocal mics are hitting that compressor hard.

[@TumblingRiverBand]

Trying to figure out how to run a talkback mic to band AUX (ears) only can anyone help me with this?? I don’t want it to come through mains.

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

You'll need a wireless mic for that, assuming you are off stage with the control tablet, and you'll need to use a channel. Just send the output from the mic receiver to the desired Auxes and keep the main slider down so it doesn't hit FOH.

[@pinoysacanada2023]

Im new in this helping setup in the church. May i ask if you put the main effects levels at unity gain as u adjust the ones in the singers chanel in this video? Thanks!

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

That is likely the recommended way, but I do the effects differently. You can put the effects masters in a "view" which keeps them easily available on the mixer screen. I run the individual channel controls higher, and then use the masters to adjust the effects. In a live setting, time to get to the adjustment fader is important. Doing it this way puts those effects faders always right at my fingers. I have a video on this, called "Soundcraft UI16 Show Setup". Thanks for the comment.

[@pinoysacanada2023]

@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer thank u fvery much or reply, thats a smart way to do it. appreciate the help! :) ur videos are very helpful. Godbless u!

[@Taylor___]

How good is that singer?

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

He's very good. I miss hearing him. He isn't performing presently.

[@77phong]

I've got myself a used UI16 and havent the slightest clue how to run sound. Is there any book or online course you would recommend?

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Do you mean run sound in general or specifically with the UI16?

[@77phong]

@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer in general

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

@@77phong I would suggest youtube. There are a ton of videos on live sound. For exam,ple: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZSZnax9hJWkp9E

[@jamiegeorge4167]

What is that delay? I don’t remember seeing that as an option on my ui16, thanks

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Delay is one of the four effects included. It is there.

[@TheMidnightPerverts]

only channel 1 & 2 have those

[@alexjacintodeoliveiraolive9123]

Hi top, there is instrumental music, how can you download it? Send me a link to download, but what is this song called? I would like to download it, thanks, big hug, top the sound 👍

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

The song is called 3AM by Matchbox 20. You can find it on KZbin I'm sure.

[@jivesesshions2563]

Why do you let it peak?

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Yes it did sneak up during the song. I didn't notice. I didn't hear anything in the phones I was using. I like it around -12db.

[@jivesesshions2563]

​@@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer me too haven't notice any dist., can I separate fx per line using the ui12

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

@@jivesesshions2563 effects per line?

[@noelcalanimiranda]

El Delay que preset lo colocaste?

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

I usually use the tap to set the delay to eight notes or quarter notes.

[@allanchavez8141]

Buena voz.

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Thanks, I think. My Spanish is limited to, "My name Jose Jimenez."

[@TheGiggingGuitarPlayer]

Indeed!