What kind of technique am I using in this distorted vocal ?

[akarawd]

I had been using this type of distortion for years but had to stop because it had a detrimental effect on the rest of my singing voice - especially head voice.

The sensation is like a grinding of the vocal cords and it can produce a burning in vocal cords area (no coughing).

It can only be applied to the falsetto (impossible to make it occur below the passagio area) and it's neither resonant nor extremely loud. It's quite powerful though.

Whenever I ran out of breath and couldn't hit a high note I could rely on this voice to sound convincing and tons more powerful on that ending phrase or note.

It's pretty effortless to produce and can be produced using low volume but the end effect on the voice renders its use prohibiting.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1781520/Vocals/Hurting%20Distortion%20Vocal.mp3

I'd be grateful if someone could let me know what it is I was doing.

Thanks in advance,

akarawd

PS. I am currently developing at least one different kind of distortion that is not taxing to the voice.

[jonpall]

MLN with distortion, I think. In other words, a light, underlying tone but with lots of twang added, in fact so much that it produces distortion. Try being a bit more relaxed when your doing this, if it is hurting you, because you should be able to do it fairly often without destroying your voice. Disclaimer: What the hell do I know.

[Jens]

I agree with jonpall to a certain extent, what you are doing in this clip is combining some sort of creakdistortion with hoarse attacks.

I might be wrong but falsefold distortion usually sounds like the voice is run through a filter, i dont get that sensation on this clip. If you listen to the part where you sing "you will feel it's power"

On the Poooweer you can hear how your offcentering the mode thus creating this type of distortion, where as the you "will feel it's" if fairly centered.

Then thing with this coordination your producing is, its advanced shit probably one of the hardest things to get right. Be carefull, and dont overdo stuff thats taxing on your voice.

Edit: relistened and i think your mixing in some falsefold distortion at some parts to :P

[akarawd]

MLN with distortion, I think. In other words, a light, underlying tone but with lots of twang added, in fact so much that it produces distortion. Try being a bit more relaxed when your doing this, if it is hurting you, because you should be able to do it fairly often without destroying your voice. Disclaimer: What the hell do I know.

I've been reading the cvt book to find out what mln is but haven't come across it yet. I'll keep on searching but it'd be great if you could let me know. I have stopped doing this type of distortion months ago because it hurts (well, it limits the headvoice) both with and without twang. I talked to my cvt vocal teacher about it and she said it's distortion with air which goes against the rules of healthy screaming, hence the taxing on the voice.

[jonpall]

That could very well be your problem - too much air flowing out of your mouth when you do this.

[akarawd]

That could very well be your problem - too much air flowing out of your mouth when you do this.

Could be - although I have to admit I don't feel more air coming out than when I sing in head voice. Maybe that's too much when applied on the falsetto.

[akarawd]

I agree with jonpall to a certain extent, what you are doing in this clip is combining some sort of creakdistortion with hoarse attacks.

I might be wrong but falsefold distortion usually sounds like the voice is run through a filter, i dont get that sensation on this clip. If you listen to the part where you sing "you will feel it's power"

On the Poooweer you can hear how your offcentering the mode thus creating this type of distortion, where as the you "will feel it's" if fairly centered.

Then thing with this coordination your producing is, its advanced shit probably one of the hardest things to get right. Be carefull, and dont overdo stuff thats taxing on your voice.

Edit: relistened and i think your mixing in some falsefold distortion at some parts to

I have absolutely no idea if I'm using the false cords or not but I do feel the discomfort on the actual vocal folds when I produce this effect - could be due to the fact that only the small part of the folds producing the falsetto is engaged.

I can get in and out of it when using falsetto but if I sang in headvoice and tried to go there it'd sound like a totally different singer, there's very little bottom on this effect.

I've searched and searched and I'm still trying clearly identify what it is.

[akarawd]

Another sensation I get is the muscles right underneath my adam's apple feel slightly sore, just like when you weight-lift.

EDIT : Jonpall, I found some sound samples of MLN - at this point I find it hard to distinguish from falsetto, what's the difference ?

[jonpall]

Falsetto sounds breathy, like a man imitating a woman. MLN sounds a bit like an evil witch laughing. MLN is far more powerful for metal than falsetto. Falsetto for metal usually just doesn't cut it.

[akarawd]

Falsetto sounds breathy, like a man imitating a woman. MLN sounds a bit like an evil witch laughing. MLN is far more powerful for metal than falsetto. Falsetto for metal usually just doesn't cut it.

Cheers Jonpall, it's very clear to me now.

[Jens]

MLN is a twanged falsetto if you wish ;)

[Steven Fraser]

I've been reading the cvt book to find out what mln is but haven't come across it yet. I'll keep on searching but it'd be great if you could let me know.

akarawd: MLN=Metal Like Neutral

[akarawd]

MLN is a twanged falsetto if you wish

Thanks Jens.

akarawd: MLN=Metal Like Neutral

Thanks Steven, I'm slowly familiarizing myself with these terms (EDIT : Just found the section in the book). I'd be happy to know what you make of the above sample. Thanks again.