The Pro Lead Vocal Mixing Clinic

Mini Course Introduction: The keys to learning how to mix in the most efficient & effective way

So let’s get into this with a good news and bad news scenario. The good news is that this guide has the foundational elements needed to eventually achieve those results. The not so good news is that like everything else to do with mixing, it takes time to learn how to implement the ideas even after you're aware of the concepts and techniques. And hopefully I don’t come across as arrogant by saying this but if I would have come across a guide like this early on in my mixing journey, it definitely would have been the ultimate game changer. The information that ultimately took me years to learn I could have essentially learned in one day. Which is why I'm one hundred percent confident this guide has all of the potential to get you the consistent results you're after. The elements that make up a “pro” lead vocalSo what is it we all want from a solid lead vocal? We must first ask what are the components and or elements that make for an amazing lead vocal. Of course this is completely dependent on taste and the specific song and genre we’re working on at the time but we’re usually aiming for some sort of combination of these 6 elements.Bright Upfront Wide Thick Powerful DimensionAnd that’s what this guide is all about. Exploring some of my favorite techniques to be able to accomplish all of the elements on a consistent basis. We will cover __ of the key techniques and ideas that are the foundation to help us achieve all of these components in our vocal mixes. And it’s very important to put emphasis on the word foundation here. Simply because there are so many more techniques and ideas out there to create and explore. Always remember that mixing is an art and the technical tools we use are a means to an end for the musical pictures we’re trying to paint. So my hope is that you take these ideas and eventually build and add to them to create your own unique vocal sound.And just a heads up that the purpose of this guide is to give you the fundamental ideas and not to go into depth in each subject. I will have separate video tutorials on how to apply the individual concepts in much more detail for you to dive into on the youtube channel.*TIP - A key aspect to mixing that isn't necessarily a technique to achieve these elements but should always be the goal is uniqueness. Sounding different always helps to stand out of the pack. Remember that mixing is an art and creativity is the backbone of any great mix.

Mini Course Understanding Signal Chain: Overview

In this overview I discuss the importance of signal chain and why it's so important to achieving a pro lead vocal sound

Lesson 2:  Understanding Signal Chain: Tutorial

The foundation of all lead vocals always comes down to the signal chain you're using. So in this lesson we will discuss some tips, techniques and ideas to help get you on the right track to creating your own unique powerful pro signal chain.

Mini Course Using Subtractive EQ: Overview

In this lesson we look at the importance of understanding & utilizing subtractive eq to get more professional results when mixing vocals.

Mini Course Using Subtractive EQ: Tutorial

Out of all of the steps on the list, this is probably the biggest determining factor in achieving a clean and polished vocal. Using subtractive eq and cutting unwanted frequencies from our audio (in this case vocals) is much more important than boosting frequencies. Once you understand this concept and can apply subtractive eq competently, your vocals will instantly sound much cleaner.In this lesson we will cover some common problem frequencies found in most vocals and how to use subtractive EQ effectively.

Mini Course Using Multiple EQ's: Overview

In this overview we take a look at the unique technique of using multiple EQ's to add brightness to vocal without making it sound harsh

Mini Course Using Multiple EQ's: Tutorial

At first glance this may seem like a weird tip but over the years, this technique has proven to be a major one for me in achieving a bright vocal and avoiding harshness. Which is always one of the major eq issues people have when new to mixing. How to get that clear and bright vocal that's not too harsh.So in this lesson we will take a look at this concept and show you how it can achieve great results.

Mini Course Using Harmonic Exciters: Overview

In this overview we will look at why using harmonic exciters can produce much better results than using an eq to brighten or thicken your vocal.

Mini Course Using Harmonic Exciters: Tutorial

Harmonic exciters are definitely an invaluable tool in a alot of mixing scenarios and are top of my list for achieving a pro lead vocal and in some ways, I would even consider it to be a secret weapon. The reason why this made the list is because of its unique ability to not only brighten a vocal in a pleasing and subtle way but also to add warmth and thickness without adding that dreadful mud we’ll know and hate that eq’s can tend to do so easily.In this lesson we will show you the power of using harmonic exciters and saturation on vocals and how it can be a more effective tool than eq for boosting frequencies.

Mini Course Using Multiple Compressors: Overview

In this overview we take a look at how using multiple compressors is the secret trick the pro's use to get a more upfront, powerful lead vocal.

Mini Course Using Multiple Compressors: Tutorial

Now this is a very common technique used amongst all professional mixers and for good reason. This is one of the ways to accomplish getting a powerful upfront vocal. Which at first glance can seem really counterintuitive but if done right can have amazing results. The idea behind this concept is similar to using two eq’s. To not have one compressor doing all of the hard lifting. Having to push one compressor really hard can work but it’s just not as effective if having two on a vocal and here’s why. Using two compressors can help give more control over the dynamics without squashing them completely. Which one compressor can tend to do if used all by itself. And this results in a more upfront, power and dynamic vocal.In this lesson we'll show you how this powerful techniques works in action.

Mini Course Using Parallel Compression With A Twist: Overview

In this chapter we look at how to use the famous mix technique of parallel compression and some tips to make even more effective when mixing vocals.

Mini Course Parallel Compression WIth A Twist: Tutorial

In this chapter we look at how to use the famous mix technique of parallel compression and some tips to make even more effective when mixing vocals.

Mini Course Using Multiple Reverb Types: Overview

In this chapter we will look the unique technique of using multiple reverb types as a unique way to use reverb creatively & technically to get a more width & dimension for you vocals.

Mini Course Using Multiple Reverb Types: Tutorial

This technique can work really well on any type of pop lead vocal that needs to be mixed with a lot of space. And the same principle applies here with the concept of using any two of the same effects processors on one track. Pushing one specific plugin too hard generally is not going to be pleasing to the ear or musical. Gently using two can be a much better way to get desired results. But with using multiple reverbs on a vocal, there’s also an added creative benefit as well. Naturally, different reverb types bring different tones and textures and blending them together to get one overall sound can sound incredible. Not only is this an extremely effective technique in getting a pro vocal sound but it’s also super easy to implement. I've personally been doing this for years on my mixes and the results have been amazing in giving me a unique reverb sound.*TIP - You can get really unique results with adding more than one type of reverb to your vocal by playing around with them in the stereo field. For example, you can pan a hall reverb to the right and a plate to the left.

Mini Course Adding Effects To Reverb: Overview

In this chapter we look at how adding effects to your reverbs gives you a much more unique reverb sound to your vocal and this technique can really help make your vocals stand out from the rest of the pack.

Mini Course Adding Effects to Reverb: Tutorial

Reverb is the most important tool we have to get our vocal to sit in the mix perfectly and give it space, dimension and many other things to say the least. So understanding how to use a reverb correctly is paramount to all aspects of mixing and especially when dealing with vocals.In this lesson we will show you how adding effects and eq to your reverbs is one of the most important elements to getting a pro lead vocal sound.

Mini Course Using Delays For Width & Dimension: Overview

In this chapter we will cover the all important technique of utilizing delays to give our vocals more width & Dimension.

Mini Course Using Delays For Width & Dimension: Tutorial

When I first learned about this technique, it was a complete game changer for me. I never thought of delays as a tool that could help get me width and dimension and at the time, my vocals were really lacking in this department. But it was something so easy to implement to get instant results.In this lesson we will demonstrate how to apply this simple yet powerful technique.

Mini Course Using A Vocal Doubler: Overview

In this chapter we will look at how powerful of a tool a vocal doubler can be in getting big pro lead vocal sound.

Mini Course Using A Vocal Doubler: Tutorial

Interestingly enough, this was actually one of the first techniques I learned when I first started mixing to help me get a bigger vocal sound. Not only did it make sense to me right away but it also accomplishes so many of the things we’ve discussed in this guide all at once. Adding a doubler effect to vocals in the right way gives us width, power, thickness which ultimately ends up leading to more upfront vocals.In this lesson we will look at using a free vocal doubler to demonstrate how this technique can work on any vocal.

Mini Course How To Carve Space for the Vocal: Overview

In this chapter we look at how to carve space for the vocal in the mix as final piece to the pro lead vocal mixing puzzle.

Mini Course How To Carve Space for the Vocal: Tutorial

Strangely enough, this technique has nothing to do with processing the actual vocal itself but is the crucial final piece to the pro vocal mixing puzzle. Once we’ve done the work to get our vocal wide, thick, powerful, bright, upfront and full of dimension, we now need to carve space for it to sit with the instrumental. And this is really the key tie in with the whole vocal mixing process.In this lesson we will show you how to carve space for your vocal in the instrumental by using an eq as the final touch for your pro lead vocal sound.

Mini Course Conclusion: 3 Important Tips To Ensure Your Success