How to Record and Mix Great Vocals

Craig Anderton is an internationally recognized authority on music and technology. He has played on, produced, or mastered over 20 major label recordings, did session work in New York in the 1970s on guitar and keyboards, played Carnegie Hall, and more recently, mastered well over a hundred tracks for various artists. His onstage career spans from the 60s to current, EDM-oriented solo performances. As an author, he co-founded Electronic Musician magazine, and has written over 35 books on musical electronics and over a thousand articles. He has also lectured on technology and the arts in 10 countries, 38 U.S. states, and three languages.

• Introduction. About This BookThe Impact of Great Vocals How to Use This BookTips and ReferencesChapter 1. Your Mic Is Your InstrumentDynamic vs. Condenser Mics The Importance of Room AcousticsConnecting Mics Mic Preamps and Setting Levels Accessories Key Takeaways Chapter 2. Recording Techniques To Hold or Not to Hold?Mic Technique Monitoring Your Vocals Recording a Vocal Overdubbing Vocals Punching Vocals Composite Vocals Key Takeaways Chapter 3. Preparing Your Vocals for the Mix Step 1: Remove HissStep 2: Delete Silences Step 3: Reduce Breath Noises and Inhales Step 4: Reduce Plosive Severity Step 4: Phrase-by-Phrase Normalization/Gain Changes Step 5: De-Essing Step 6: Pitch Correction .Step 7: Tweak the Vibrato Time to Start Mixing Key Takeaways Chapter 4. Equalization Equalizer ResponsesMain EQ Parameters What You’ll End Up Equalizing .Dynamic Equalization Automated Equalization .Typical EQ Curves for Vocals Key Takeaways Chapter 5. Dynamics Processing How Dynamics Processors WorkTypes of Dynamics Processors Sidechaining Key Takeaways Chapter 6. Reverb and Delay Reverb Processing Delay Processing .Key Takeaways .Chapter 7. Automating Parameter ChangesAutomation Basics Automation Methods .Automating Effects .Key Takeaways Chapter 8. Double-Tracking, Harmonizing, and Layering Vocals Automatic Double-Tracking (ADT) Plug-InsPseudo-ADT with Pitch CorrectionShifting Pitch to Create Pseudo-Double Tracking How to Mix Double-Tracked Vocals The Doubled Vocal Fix Creating Harmonies with Pitch Correction Software Techniques for Layered Vocals .Key Takeaways Chapter 9. Vocal Performance Tips Emotional Dynamic Range Avoiding the Vocal Disconnect .The Performance Curve