How to Get the Greatest Background Vocals

The difference between background vocals and background GREAT vocals....
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[@BobbyHuff]

Also...in the list of great bands with background vocals that I give in the video I left out 5 of my favs The Bee Gees, EWF, Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, and Jellyfish...MY BAD. STUDY these bands!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL and know that I feel BLESSED that YOU watch my channel!! Doc.

[@JaviBello]

Boooooooooob!!! Don't forget the Beach Boys 😜

[@BobbyHuff]

@@JaviBello oh crap!!!!!! I feel awful now! Haha

[@JaviBello]

@@BobbyHuff hahaha

[@Fiveash-Art]

JELLYFISH

[@davidasher22]

You did a great job with this tune! Those centered background vocals also have a mono styled chorus effect that you just don't get when they are panned. You can hear the "rub" better.

[@BobbyHuff]

YES David!!!!!! Its such a cool sound right??? Thanks for the compliment!

[@davidasher22]

@@BobbyHuff it’s awesome. I really dig the song too.

[@guillermodelnoche]

Excellent advice Bobby! I learn something every video and sometimes I feel like one of your videos is a full year of MP&E at Berklee. Awesome channel!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks so much Guillermo! Glad you dig man!

[@dammcadam4689]

Amazing...just watched a documentary on Geoff Lynn today and here you are....

[@BobbyHuff]

Awesome.....LOVE HIS STUFF!

[@fldrummerman]

What was the documentary?

[@dammcadam4689]

@@fldrummerman It was Geoff Lynn & ELO on KZbin, it was entered around GL and his productions and people who has worked with him.

[@fldrummerman]

@@dammcadam4689 Thank you!

[@dammcadam4689]

@@BobbyHuff Xanadu was never mentioned in the documentary and we all know it's ELO and ONJ that made THE record just like Natali Um's version of Torn was THE version although it was the 4th or 5th version. Xanadu I'm talking about is 3rd version?, doesn't matter....talk about it.

[@walruswasrob]

Brian Wilson was also a master at arranging and orchestrating vocal harmonies.

[@newlenmedia]

I loved this video. These are the kinds of things I've always wanted to do or try but never had the words to communicate. Now I do. Backing vocals with a purpose! You rock. Keep making these great videos.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks so much Newlen!

[@eoresco1]

HEY !!!!..... DR. BOB....... That's one of the best songs I've heard in.......20 years. I'm buying it went its released. Absolutely outstanding.

[@Bananson]

Hello Bobby! I've been a fan of Jeff Lynne's work for decades. Today, I was astonished by this gem because I've been recently thinking about recreating Jeff Lynne's vibe with our band. What are the odds? Most of us probably have watched hundreds of youtube videos about mixing but your materials are special, full of flavour and personal touch. Looking forward to see more videos from you about Jeff's technics. By the way, I came to your channel because of your other video with Jeff's snare sound which is also great. Keep up the good work!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Damian! I’m a huge Jeff/Elo fan and am working on a project with that vibe/Beatles/Queen/BeachBoys. This is one of the songs.

[@haysgoodman8068]

What a catchy tune! Love how a song like Dave Edmunds ‘Slipping Away’ was immediately identifiable as a Lynne production. So distinctive!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Hays! This song will be released some point soon.

[@mikeloosen53]

Luv this! I’m a nobody as a mixer/producer but! with so much of the material I’m working on I employ panning of backing Vcls almost all the time. Another great way to make the different parts pop out (fer me) is to use different amounts of verb/chorus and boom! It can really keep things exciting! Luv your informative videos doc! I’ve learned and employed so much of your wisdom into my projects!!!!!!🤘🏻🙏🏻🤘🏻🙏🏻🤘🏻

[@winstontk]

Some really good advice here. And a really cool track here, too. What should be pointed out, especially regarding someone like Jeff Lynne, though, is the time that songs were produced. Lynne made great use of mono for the classic ELO stuff because the primary medium for its broadcast was AM radio, which of course is mono. Also, one of the biggest ways these songs were played was on car radios. This is also one of the reasons why bass guitar levels were boosted a fair bit, to overcome the limitations of both AM radio and car radios. (Just listen to how loud the bass is in a song like Sad Eyes by Robert John.) Jeff's production in the 80s onward shifted more towards stereo, because people were now using Walkmans and Discmans, etc. This is a very important aspect of looking at music production in a historical perspective.

[@IntellectualDarkWave]

Love ELO and love this! I've been hearing snippets of what I assume is all from this project over the past year on your videos and I can't wait to hear the final product. My favorite example of these kind of harmonies and call and response (and a lot of other things) is "Do You Believe in Love" by Huey Lewis. I could go on about things I love about that song (the extra deep snare, the chorused clavinet playing a very un-clav part) but the vocals are just nonpareil. Mutt scored a lot of home runs, but that one is a grand slam.

[@SmudgeTAC]

Great video Bobby ! Super vocals and loads of variety to help keep the listener engaged.

[@davebops2478]

Yet another great video! I love the fact that you advocate thought and experimentation (and don't just whack some doubler/harmony plugin on the track). I've seen you track 80-odd BV tracks with a smile. Yessir Dr Bob, I love your channel!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Dave! I always sing all the parts as harmony generators aren’t the same.

[@GoldTopDeluxe70]

Thank you Dr Bob!

[@SaintD382]

This song is awesomely ELO -- great job Bobby!

[@johannalvarsson9299]

you brought up a good point at 6:20. People: listen to mixes, not just youtube-videos. The mixes will teach you just as much as.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Johann! Agreed!

[@mikeharwoodmusic]

Those vox are just Lush Bob, thanks for posting this one 👊😎

[@michaeltablet8577]

Absolutely Awesome! Thanks again for teaching and sharing your gifts! Your videos are always helpful! This one is excellent! This will help me make my background vocals sound more like Queen and less like Dairy Queen. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

[@BobbyHuff]

Hahahaha!!! Dairy Queen. That’s hilarious!

[@donnathan745]

What a great job, no kidding! Thank you so much for sharing these nuggets Bobby, but now I have to re-mix my VX this week lol! Awsome

[@BobbyHuff]

Hahaha! Nothing wrong with remixing to make it better. That’s what half of mixing is!

[@lesjuly]

Going to mono in the B section of the chorus back to wide is soooo MONEY ! Makes the ears focus in and then out (wide) again.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Les!

[@winip9261]

Wow what great ideas. Thank you so much

[@BobbyHuff]

Thank You Winip!

[@ncironhorse8367]

You nailed the call and response piece. My vocal coach taught that many years ago.

[@michaelparson-mcnamara782]

Another gem in my graduate studies! AND it was so fun to listen to! Thank you, Dr Bob!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Michael!

[@Taffafilms]

Massive lesson on background vocals. Thanks Dr Bob! Stellar

[@toddmichaelbradt624]

Great tune and treatment!

[@philvandel]

This is so good, man. Excellent work.

[@jonwanrocks]

dang right before you said it, i thought 'dr bobs been listening to ELO'

[@BobbyHuff]

Love ELO!

[@simonsmith2642]

I love this but I did get a little lost at, what was what.. I need to rewatch this a few times. Im in a duo. So my partner is triggering scenes. To do lots of backing vocals, wouldn’t be hard to mix with live vocals. And this would add so much dimension, we have the tech and controllers to do it live, why not use it, and fill all the spaces with sound. Love it! Jeff Lynn is a God Blessed genius!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Simon! Yes Lynne is amazing!

[@paulnagel8161]

Merry Christmas!

[@BobbyHuff]

Merry Christmas Paul!

[@ulfsvensson9710]

A good and inspiering lesson! Thank you, Dr.

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Ulf!

[@paulkerriage4470]

Great lesson and a killer song. Happy Christmas Doc!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Paul!

[@hankslapper]

Great video Bob thanks

[@davidgann3251]

ELO has a new album??? VERY ELO is a bit of an understatement! (1976 Skylab Theme song-- "Don't Bring Me Down")

[@kellywamboldt6878]

I tend to double the upper third and hard pan. Then, down a third, hard panned double. Then, I sing a walk across the melody. Maybe, seventh to second or fourth for that suspended sound. It takes a few takes when you’re faking it! Double, hard panned.

[@christiangillmann9466]

Super interesting! Thanks.

[@simply3141592654]

early blues is very call and answer. It comes from many Gospel and old work songs

[@BobbyHuff]

Agreed!

[@davidhayman9330]

Thanks Bobby, great tips, you've brought a new dimension to how I look at BVs!...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@sergeprovost]

I DON'T QUIT to listen those harmonies again and again that remember me ELO when i was a teenager 40 years ago . So emotive and make me cry inside. Is this song available somewhere and what's the title? Thank's to Dr Bob. Genius.

[@magnusdevo]

Wow! Great song!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Magnus...it will be released.

[@robgracia509]

merry christmas and god bless

[@BobbyHuff]

Merry Christmas Rob!

[@caseyhayes2004]

Great Video Dr. Bob!! Excellent ideas for using both mono and stereo backgrounds. Exciting! Gonna try it on next mix! I'm gonna listen with headphones to the SD, FM, and to the Jellyfish' first album again for the background vox and how they filled int he gaps... Also, I really liked your song!!! Great lyric idea that you fully fleshed out in the chorus! Way to go

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Casey. Listen to Jellyfish Spilt Milk. I feel like that is the height of creativity.

[@TimE_5150]

Great stuff, thank you Bob! May I add a 6th great band with killer backing vocals -The Mighty Van Halen starring Micheal Anthony !

[@thomaspersson1533]

Awesome track and great tips 🙏🎄

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Thomas!

[@DThompson55]

So much goodness here! Thanks Doctor!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Dan!

[@robgracia509]

sounds great killer vocal performance

[@BobbyHuff]

Thank You Rob!

[@savedalsman2081]

Thank you for this gift... and Merry Christmas to you!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Save!

[@chris_share]

Excellent as always!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Chris!

[@simply3141592654]

I can imagine those Jeff Lynne acoustic sound on that too.

[@BobbyHuff]

I did a video on that sound!

[@antcall6779]

Great as always bobby! You rock🤘

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Ant!

[@dkpianist]

Thanks Doc, that was very enlightening. I think I often made my BGV too wide so they lacked punch and definition. Good idea to try narrowing down things every now and then, creating more focus. Side note - what on earth is ELO singing there? Don't bring me down WHAT? _Broos?_

[@DonaldMerrit]

You forgot to mention the Cowsills about great backing vocals. Hehe

[@southdank3190]

Always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks!

[@fldrummerman]

Reminds me of the Traveling Wilburys!

[@BobbyHuff]

Love that! Thank you!

[@deeskushun]

learned lots this year ,thanks, happy holidays bob

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Dee! See you next year!

[@ScottRandall31]

Very cool. 😎

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Scott!

[@SalvatoreMusicTV]

Cool Song Bobby!!!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thank You Salvatore!

[@rubenbekkevold4455]

Wow! Awesome vocals. Question: Is that a whisper track in the background or is that just your vocals?

[@fldrummerman]

Great stuff!!!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks James!

[@mainsailsound983]

Hey, Bobby. Love your work. I'm shopping for bluetooth earbuds and wondering if you had any recommendations. Thanks for the vids!

[@subterraneanpimpernel9455]

Hi Dr Bob. Check out the stone roses drummer BVs and harmonies. look for waterfall rehearsal and shoot you down. he sounds like Smokey Robinson.

[@BobbyHuff]

Ok great!

[@shanelarue8162]

cool song!

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Shane!

[@gregmize01]

Why don't you have more subscribers!?! 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@BobbyHuff]

Growing all the time!!

[@musicproductionvideos5019]

Ok what program did you use on those strings? So close to that sound! Great work!

[@AGENTARMES]

Where the hell do I listen to this song? I love it!!

[@BobbyHuff]

Will be coming out and Ill let everyone know. Thanks!

[@AGENTARMES]

@@BobbyHuff Jeff Lynne would be jealous. So epic. Can’t wait.

[@yogiblair22]

Makes me wanna break out The Pointer Sisters CDs

[@BobbyHuff]

Love the Sisters!

[@earache70]

not done watching this so forgive if you already answered, but is that the "don't bring me down" groove sampled and sped up?

[@BobbyHuff]

Haha. No but it’s roughly the same drum pattern.

[@THEESHITSHOW]

what program are you using to record your screen?

[@BobbyHuff]

its by Filmora

[@sottovoce4]

Excellent song and Vibe!..... Im just curious why you chose to Tune the vocals so hard?... knowing that you have excellent pitch while singing, I'm assuming you where going for a "vocoder effect", so why not just use a vocoder which would be even vibier?

[@BobbyHuff]

There is some Vocoder on it as well and I’m okay with the tuned vocal sound. I’ve come to accept it and it sounds good to me as it’s absolutely required for popular music now or they will think you can’t sing! Ha

[@sottovoce4]

@@BobbyHuff thnx for the reply! I understand your point. admittedly I listen to mainly older recordings pre 1990 and find that there is a lack of an emotional connection that im able to have with more modern recordings where the vocalists are autotuned, I call it the "GLEE" effect. that being said for some reason I don't experience that lack of connection with Justin Bieber records??? do you think they are melodyning him at all? or is he a rare pop talent that doesn't need it? thnx again, and love your channel!🤘

[@dammcadam4689]

At 3 mins where you demonstrate the stack of harmony vocals, you play one track at a time but each track sounds like there is processing.....is each track strictly clean vocal and a discrete preamp? .......Hans Zimmer ....Hmmm good question, here is the response ... or it was something like that?🤔 All he was saying though was suspended to 3rd😂😂😂

[@BobbyHuff]

Hey Dam. They were all compressed with 1176 compressors, cut through a vintage Neve pre with no eq and no compression on the way in, quadrupled, and I used an SM7.

[@walkinthrutheparkbymr.melo3905]

#ELO vs #BEACHBOYS!!!

[@BobbyHuff]

Yes!!!

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

The harmonies sound great, but something is sounding a bit artificial to me. Are you using auto-tune? I guess most people do these days.

[@BobbyHuff]

Yea there is tuning in them. A necessary sound these days. Some vocoder too

[@henryijeoma]

why are you still on Windows 7??????????? lol

[@BobbyHuff]

Extremely solid and I’m getting giant track counts. No need to change until it breaks.

[@michaelcottle6270]

Fantastic harmonies but I hate that ^$^$&^ banjo

[@BobbyHuff]

Banjo??? No banjo in this one…

[@eranddroory9987]

another great video. Thanks Bobby..

[@BobbyHuff]

Thanks Erand!