I want to share with you a short video (1:54) that covers a very interesting and counter-intuitive approach to vocal production, an important topic for any indie musician looking to produce radio-ready, industry-standard mixes. (And by the way, tracks with Vocals tend to earn a more lucrative return with music licensing).
This
video was recorded last Saturday and features #1 Billboard Charting, award-winning producer/engineer Gary Gray. Gary has conducted over 30,000 hours of research into psychoacoustics, sonic illusions and the differences between analog and digital recording, mixing, and mastering. One area of research that Gary found particularly fascinating was vocal production. The video you’re about to watch covers an interesting scenario we all run into when addressing the challenge of vocal production.
Let’s say you just made what you consider an important adjustment to one or more instruments in your mix. You’re about to listen back to the adjustment you just made. What do you listen for exactly? And how can that instrumental adjustment affect your vocal production? The answer, though it may seem counter-intuitive and not very exciting or monumental, can make a big difference in the quality of your master in terms of vocal production. As
you’ll discover, what you focus on when listening can actually change the perceived balance and quality of your mix. The mind is a very powerful mixing tool!
In fact, Gary successfully used this exact approach when mixing a recent major motion picture soundtrack. Specifically, the vocals of Halle Bailey, star of Disney’s hit live-action movie, The Little Mermaid.
Check it out. . .
