Vocal Production Techniques: Editing and Mixing in Pro Tools
2h 7mIntermediate2016-09-23
Authors
Scott Hirsch
NYU Professor, Sound Designer, Film and Video Editor, Audio Engineer
Course details
Vocals are one of the most critical pieces of any song. No other instrument has as much power or influence. But almost every vocal track can benefit from some post-production. Vocal Production Techniques introduces editing and mixing techniques for the most popular DAWs. This course focuses on Pro Tools.
Audio engineer Scott Hirsch starts with comping the vocals—combining the best performances into one final vocal master take. He explains how to edit out breaths and other noises and fabricate a doubling effect for additional texture and vibe, and then brings in some plugins into the mix—Antares Auto-Tune, Melodyne, and iZotope—to tune vocals and create more interesting soundscapes. In the "Mixing" chapter, Scott enhances the sound of the vocals with EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and automation, adding life and motion to the song. The final track demonstrates everything you can do to maximize the effectiveness of vocals with Pro Tools.
Learning objectives
Comping takes in Pro Tools
Editing breaths and noise
Doubling and tuning vocals
Experimenting with iZotope's Stutter Edit
Processing vocals with EQ and compression
De-essing vocals
Using reverb, delay, and modulation effects
Automating levels and FX in Pro Tools
Audio engineer Scott Hirsch starts with comping the vocals—combining the best performances into one final vocal master take. He explains how to edit out breaths and other noises and fabricate a doubling effect for additional texture and vibe, and then brings in some plugins into the mix—Antares Auto-Tune, Melodyne, and iZotope—to tune vocals and create more interesting soundscapes. In the "Mixing" chapter, Scott enhances the sound of the vocals with EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and automation, adding life and motion to the song. The final track demonstrates everything you can do to maximize the effectiveness of vocals with Pro Tools.
Learning objectives
Comping takes in Pro Tools
Editing breaths and noise
Doubling and tuning vocals
Experimenting with iZotope's Stutter Edit
Processing vocals with EQ and compression
De-essing vocals
Using reverb, delay, and modulation effects
Automating levels and FX in Pro Tools
Skills covered
Pro ToolsAvidDigital Audio WorkstationsAudio and MusicDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
- 02 - What you should know before watching this course
- 03 - Using the exercise files
1. Post-Production Editing
- 04 - Comping takes
- 05 - Editing breaths, mouth noise, and pops
- 06 - Doubling vocals in post-production
- 07 - Using Antares Auto-Tune nondestructively
- 08 - Creating harmonies with Melodyne
- 09 - Experimenting with iZotope's Stutter Edit
2. Mixing Vocals
- 10 - Processing vocals with EQ
- 11 - Processing vocals with compression and limiting
- 12 - Applying multiband compression for more focused dynamics control
- 13 - De-essing a vocal track
- 14 - Using reverb send to enhance vocals
- 15 - Using delay effects to enhance vocals
- 16 - Using modulation effects to enhance vocals
- 17 - Layering multiple vocal tracks together
- 18 - Automating vocal levels
- 19 - Automating FX
Conclusion
- 20 - Next steps