Oct 1, 2009 12:00 PM

Naturally 7 performs

Photo: Film Magic/Getty Images

Naturally 7

Seven-part R&B vocalists Naturally 7 is out on the road supporting Wall of Sound. Mix caught up with tour manager/front-of-house engineer Andrew Lefkowits.

What gear are you carrying?

We're picking up stacks and racks, so I'm only traveling with mics, in-ears, my Pro Tools LE rig, a Boss RC-20 loop pedal with a wired Sennheiser 935 and a Boss OC-2 pedal.

What are you mixing on?

Andrew Lefkowits

I'm picking up the Digidesign Profile and mixing entirely “in the box.” Slowly but surely, I've replaced all my outboard stuff with plug-ins. I really love the Sonnox stuff — Inflator and Trans-Mod are killer on my beat-boxer. The guys do lots of instrumental imitation. I supplement that with some plugs like Voce Spin, Amplitube and Recti-fi.

What is key in your mix?

The bass and drums. The act is seven vocalists, so without good vocal drum and bass sounds it doesn't really feel like a band. I've got an octave pedal for the bass that fills out the spectrum down low. With vocal fundamentals running from 100 to 450 Hz, there is no shortage of those frequencies. Also, knowing the arrangements is crucial. I have guys going from lead vocal to part of a trio singing an organ pad to singing lead guitar lines. I've got to route him to the right plug-ins at the right moment.

When you're not on the road, where can we find you?

San Francisco is home — I just wish I had more time to enjoy it.

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