Arts >> Music >> Live Music

How to Use Delays for Vocals at Gigs

Advancements in audio technology and performance tools have created entirely new genres of music, as well as a wide variety of possibilities for sounds and textures. A "delay" effect is one popular tool that performers and producers use on a regular basis. When delay is activated, sounds produced by vocalists or instruments are repeated at predetermined time intervals.

Things You'll Need

  • Delay pedal
  • Software delay program
  • XLR cable
  • 2 Instrument cables
  • Microphone
  • FireWire cable
  • USB cable
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Connect the microphone to your software-based delay tool using the audio interface and an XLR cable. Plug the microphone directly into the "mic" port on the interface. Connect the interface to your computer using a FireWire cable and the FireWire port on both devices. If the interface is USB compatible, connect it to your computer using a USB cable and the matching ports on both devices.

    • 2

      Connect the microphone to your pedal-based delay utility using the audio interface, an XLR cable and two instrument cables. Plug the microphone directly into the "mic" port on the interface. Connect the interface to the pedal by plugging an instrument cable into the "line-out" port on the interface and the "line-in" port on the pedal. Connect the pedal to your amplifier by plugging another instrument cable into the "line-out" port on the pedal and the "line-in" port on the amplifier. Your delay pedal can now modify signals received by the microphone.

    • 3

      Adjust the length of delay with your pedal or software settings to customize the sounds. Delay devices measure the length of delay in seconds. An extremely short delay will produce an effect similar to the synthetic reverb used in commercial music. A longer delay setting will create a more noticeable split between the initial sound and its delayed response.

    • 4

      Modify the "low-cut" and "high-cut" parameters on your delay device to remove specific sound frequencies from the repeated delay. This can be especially useful if your initial sound uses large amounts of bass frequencies. By selecting anywhere from 60-80 hertz in the low-cut parameter, the heavy bass frequencies will be removed from the repeated sound, adding clarity to the overall mix.

Live Music

Related Categories