Vocal Dilemma.

[RougeX]

I recently recorded vocals with a friend for a track I've written. Problem was I didn't listen to the takes straight after recording the first time. Somehow I managed to edit, add effects etc and mix the song, before I realised that in some areas of the vocal tracks there was distortion from being recorded too loud. You can't hear it in the mix, but I know it's there so it annoys me. I got my mate to come back round to re-record the vocals. While I now have takes without the distortion, he never quite got to the same level of performance. So now I have better recorded tracks of a worse performance. I'm considering just using the original tracks as you'd have a very hard time (I think) of noticing there was any distortion when everything is mixed together. But I think it would annoy me, the fact that someone other than me might notice it. Help!!!!!

[jim_branning]

I recently recorded vocals with a friend for a track I've written. Problem was I didn't listen to the takes straight after recording the first time. Somehow I managed to edit, add effects etc and mix the song, before I realised that in some areas of the vocal tracks there was distortion from being recorded too loud. You can't hear it in the mix, but I know it's there so it annoys me. I got my mate to come back round to re-record the vocals. While I now have takes without the distortion, he never quite got to the same level of performance. So now I have better recorded tracks of a worse performance. I'm considering just using the original tracks as you'd have a very hard time (I think) of noticing there was any distortion when everything is mixed together. But I think it would annoy me, the fact that someone other than me might notice it. Help!!!!!

Nothing wrong with some distortion on vocals. The product industry has pursuaded users over the years that total clinical cleanliness & clarity are the holy grail.

[RougeX]

That's for the input. I've done a bit of extra tweaking and I think it sounds fine now. I guess it's that fact that I know it's there. I've tested it on some members of the public. Well, people I know. Mainly people who don't know anything about production or aren't really music fans and they all think it sounds normal. So I'll go with the public vote!