How to Mix Rap Vocals | Leslie Brathwaite (Pharrell Williams)

Grammy-winning mixer Leslie Brathwaite (Beyoncé) takes you inside the session of Lil Uzi Vert & Pharrell Williams’ “Neon Guts,” sharing his processing techniques for killer hip-hop vocals. Watch Leslie’s tips on mixing hip-hop beats: www.waves.com/leslie-beats
(1:17) Get Creative with Pitch Correction
(4:10) DeEssing
(5:52) EQ & Compression
(7:45) Enhance & Shape
(10:21) Gel Different Vocal Leads Together
(13:20) In-Your-Face Classic Compression
(14:09) Tone Top-End Harshness
(15:55) Tame with Light Compression
(17:04) Ad-Libs & Overdubs
(20:13) Filtered Delay FX
Plugins used by Leslie Brathwaite in this video:
CLA Vocals: waves.com/cla-vocals
DeEsser: www.waves.com/deesser
Renaissance EQ: waves.com/reneq
Renaissance Compressor: waves.com/rencomp
Renaissance Reverb: waves.com/renreverb
S1 Stereo Imager: waves.com/s1
CLA-76:waves.com/cla76
Waves Tune Real-Time: waves.com/tunert
SSL E-Channel: waves.com/ssl-e
H-Delay: waves.com/hdelay
Music: “Neon Guts” by Lil Uzi Vert feat. Pharrell Williams

[@camo7173]

7:15 keep in mind that professional studios often have expensive hardware compressors on their microphone chains already, meaning the raw vocal has had its dynamics tamed a bit to begin with. Thats why he doesnt need to compress too much in the mixing phase. If you dont have that set up you may need to compress more than he does to get consistent dynamics.

[@unlawfulmuzik]

Dustin Cross fact!!!

[@dsahin11]

@@unlawfulmuzik yeah is that Rcompressor on the aux even working lmao?

[@captainvoluntaryistthestat3207]

how much ratio and attack?

[@automotiveperformancemobil4030]

@@captainvoluntaryistthestat3207 There's no one way easy breezy answer for that. It depends on the voice who's behind the mic

[@djproducerccm]

100% true

[@gbrcas2661]

Finally, somebody that actually knows what he’s doing when it comes to rap vocals (1000 likes tho😂)

[@lilrariwmb3656]

OFFICIAL CASPA same thing I said

[@kcityy]

For real!

[@zafmo9829]

he didnt let off any secrets. if you think thats all he does to get a professional sound your insane.

[@gbrcas2661]

Zaf Mo okay mate😂😂😂😂

[@steeziak]

exactly. whats the master bus looking like is the real game

[@SYVERIA]

This is porn to us aspiring audio engineers and lil Uzi fans

[@zepp.5784]

Exactly

[@TheFTWairsoft]

100%

[@eloyramirez7063]

Literally

[@agent_sickx3593]

Aye fr ! 😂😂😂

[@jaycesaerius]

EXACTLY

[@AquaticAudio]

I love how he emphasizes that he uses his ears (6:27) instead of focusing on doing what's "technically correct". I feel like that's a massively underrated way to mix. At the end of the day, if it sounds good, that's all that matters!

[@theRealManDawg]

This is my method only because I don’t know what anything means lol

[@grrrruh]

@@theRealManDawg Absolutely BASED

[@kingfreshbeatz5622]

This cool methode

[@MixedByS]

Waves is amazing for giving out pro tips

[@sinbrando3234]

these arnt pro tips.

[@theR0ck3tsumm3r]

Bro that cut around 200hz on the SSL changed EVERYTHING for me

[@melohypewill777]

@@theR0ck3tsumm3r lmaoo i felt that !

[@stuff4826]

waves is amazing for making basic bitches feel special

[@Kathayne636]

@@sinbrando3234 These are tips from a professional. Protips.

[@Josh.Bartel]

Perfect example that complex mixing techniques does not mean a better mix👌 When I started learning how to mix I was tempted to stack on loads of plugins everywhere. But the more advanced you get, you begin to use less tools with more specific intent AND get better results. Interesting.

[@shaikirksey3208]

Josh Bartel when I started out with my own home studio I didn’t know about a lot off gear plugins and didn’t know how to use them I just focused on good equipment (very minimal) and my music still sounded great.

[@theR0ck3tsumm3r]

Exactly! Everything serves a purpose. Mixing is meant to enhance the song, not change it 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@sirshinra]

Same, I used to have so many plugins and now 75% of what I use is stock FL Studio plugins, they all pretty much do the same thing anyway, as long as it sounds good, it sounds good.

[@soulslaveone]

Just wish he had some real music to mix.

[@zachary963]

Josh Bartel lol seriously. I went back to a track i mixed in my early days. I couldn’t get the vocal to sound decent, let alone good, and I had 16 plugins on it, including two compressors. I did a new mix, and I literally had one eq and a deesser on it. Lol all the other crap was just unnecessary

[@crimewavbeats5532]

So happy for G from Fresh Prince, crazy how he went from acting to mixing....

[@omarbarrios3420]

lol

[@kariokegathering9782]

bad boys 3 out yet

[@Kathayne636]

Yeah, good for him! Days of waiting hand and foot on those rich folk is over!

[@Prod5300]

Wait you fr?

[@crimewavbeats5532]

@@Kathayne636 😂😂😂

[@mrdilonemusic]

0:51 I love how he's got a keyboard on a keyboard

[@blackfen1x]

Nobody: YT auto subtitles: Little woozy bird

[@IndexusYT]

blackfen1x He was called susie at some point aswell lmao

[@idan226]

Or ossie

[@neconbeat]

Lewbert

[@LuisCasstle]

🤣🤣 I would use that if I was a rapper, just to mess with people. People in conversations would be like: "wait, did you say uzi vert or woozy bird?". 🤣🤣🤣

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

Little Woozy Brid represent

[@thebookwaswaybetter2827]

I think the beauty in this mix really lies in the beat. The engineer is able to keep things really clean and simple on the vocal because the beat has so much space cut out for it. Each instrument and drum sample has a space carved out for it so nothing is clashing. I’d really like to see how the beat was mixed more than anything

[@jessedutton2474]

the book was way better the beat is all low end and high end and the vocals sit in the middle perfectly

[@Vidorraofficial]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJXaaGpno7hoj6M here's the video on the beat being mixed!

[@ashaolujimi3751]

All Drums should be eq'd with any 1073 you have at your disposal,I find that a switching eq is the holy grail when it comes to eq'ing drums so that they have the punch and weight that's desired.

[@facksvillain2296]

@@ashaolujimi3751 would you put it on a drum bus or the mix bus?

[@ashaolujimi3751]

@@facksvillain2296 i eq on the insert with a 1073 channel strip and the drum bus and proper gain staging will keep your volume in the sweet spot so no worries when it comes to clipping...

[@GuyFerzOfficial]

I like how he thinks with the "sound" in mind and not the "stats"... that's what music's all about

[@animaltronix-world]

Dude. Love this guy. Everything he's saying too is making me feel better about sometimes mixing more by instinct and not always getting too caught up into theory and freq. numbers. Also his respect for the tracking engineer's/artist sound when he gets the session is great. I just love this guy's whole vibe. No wonder he's so successful.

[@DidierBampiliMusicProduction]

I have good music contents check me out

[@jeremyfox7599]

This is easily one of the absolute greatest professional top-level industry-standard educational breakdowns of the mixing process that I have ever seen and I have seen them all. Thank you, Mr Brathwaite, the time you gave us was hugely appreciated - I have bookmarked this video so that I can watch it again to take notes. Truly brilliant work!

[@rasko2900]

Lmao engineering is literally the hardest thing to do

[@iamkamp616]

Rasko 😂😂😂😂 frfr

[@kri8beats778]

Maybe the most rewarding in many ways

[@gepvpr]

@@kri8beats778 I Was thinking this because youre a part of more diverse sucess

[@lostheartmega5388]

Yes bro just got waves and I’m so lost lol

[@slumppednova]

When you have a mindset like that, yeah it is...

[@LUSCIOUSDUNCAN]

brother that whole concept of acting like a "reductive" producer by starting with getting rid of what you DON'T want in the mix and THEN boosting the stuff you DO want, that's beautiful, i love it man. very clever philosophy. hope to see more from you!

[@kamtheproducer]

Me & Leslie are both graduates from Full Sail University Recording Arts program. I met him a few times while at Full Sail. Amazing dude here!🔥

[@RealLiveEnt321]

What year?

[@theuniversalmindsetpodcast6253]

everytime i tried to enroll there they played me

[@Zopo214]

I graduate in june

[@lesterbud]

Thanks Bro

[@alecoftheyouth454]

i start there in august! i saw him when i went on the BTS tour

[@JEANJKKT]

you don't need college when you got gems like this lurking on the internet.

[@ceesarort3ga940]

BAESIKLI and how you gonna learn this skills?

[@MrCman987]

BAESIKLI he went to full sail tho 🥴

[@Waynyce]

Watch the videos. Read the manuals!

[@Dbwj-so6mu]

Yah but having a degree means you went through 100s of hours of Indepth education in a certain field, and will make you more qualified forma job then someone who is educated through KZbin

[@daam9888]

@@Dbwj-so6mu don't hate.

[@NVtheEngineer]

this is everything I do and a lot of the same plugins. This spoke to my soul. Love your work. Jack Harlow - Confetti is $$

[@theR0ck3tsumm3r]

Shea McDonald he mixed jacks new project?! Yo that’s crazy! Been listening since gazebo

[@andrewjacoblayton]

Shea McDonald Jack is fire

[@KO-iq2kv]

@@theR0ck3tsumm3r I did not know that either! No wonder it sounds so fire

[@lesterbud]

Thanks

[@bchopdidit.13]

Bro can you please help mix my work?

[@Masteracci]

When using H-Delay make sure to set "Analog" to 0. It adds alot of noise. Good Vid LB! Thx Bro!

[@newnula2444]

Masteracci he ended up using 0 at 22:30 I seen that too at first😂🌊

[@thegenrelifethegenrelife1118]

Masteracci yesss analog noise

[@mitchellsloanmusic9658]

Masteracci TRUTH! Learnt that the hard way haha

[@justinberisha6498]

realtalk bro

[@TEXANSon3]

Trill

[@ATCBeats]

His voice sounds like he has Wavestuner engaged lol, good tips and overall great video 👌🏽

[@debidi1461]

it is on EVERY vocal

[@KO-iq2kv]

Shiiiiet that's that Island Dialect lol, Leslie is a legend

[@guzzo5819]

Man i smoked a joint started this video, when it kicked i started hearing, Waves tune with the CLA delay...

[@joesphclifton9730]

Lmfao

[@ahmetcobanc4003]

CLA VOCALLLSS

[@rontti8646]

best hiphop vocal mixing tutorial i've ever seen!

[@realkabecio]

I really love his good energy and clear way of describing things, imparting his knowledge & creativity.

[@bigprevo]

It took me years of trial and error to learn what you just dropped in a 24 min video...DOPE!

[@chrissonix5092]

That analogy he gave about cleaning a room is a perfect mindset when thinking about the art of mixing. Alot of principles elaborated on in this video. Well-put together!

[@CantonMasterDrummer]

I been learning a lot about the industry from Leslie in my recent classes at Full Sail. Dude has so much amazing advice for young producers and engineers.

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Love watching him work!!!!!!

[@999GNG]

THIS CLASS IS PURE GOLD! THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS 4R!!! 💜💜💜

[@Braillionaire]

Thoroughly enjoying this series and especially this brother's approach

[@Marvinostin]

That’s the tutorials I was looking for I remember about a year ago when I was just watching tutorials without even knowing I was goin to get into this crazy journey now I own my home studio and learning actually how to work on vocals and mixing I remember I watched this and totally lost this huge help treasure thanks again this is amazing

[@mayacolorato2412]

This was so helpful! Thank you so much for great advice

[@ce1402]

Amazing Vid, thank you very much for everyone involved in it!

[@herscheldaniels3005]

Leslie is so good at what he does. He came and spoke to my class at Full Sail and it was so interesting to hear his take on how feeling effects his process.

[@sizhan]

It is so nice to see a professional 6:27 not talking about frequency ranges.. I get so overwhelmed watching tutorials and how everyone talks about frequency ranges for XYZ. It makes the learning curve from a technical standpoint look insane.

[@DLithic]

i dont find that, hmm. what do you mean exactly, as in, what about frequency ranges is 'out of range' ?

[@GeorgeKhouriofc]

This guy is so knowledgeable and easy to follow. Huge help watching this, thank you for dropping these gems on us!

[@mexflairzondmix2598]

Lotta respect for Mr Leslie. Huge impact from his uniqueness. Works for me. The greats....

[@genolexismusic983]

Great video. So many great lessons on KZbin but it's hard to find tutorials from Caribbean based mentors that I can relate to. Thank you for offering your perspective on mixing rap vocals with Waves. Truly appreciate the information and tips.

[@tipfertilizer4595]

You have a good metaphor explanation.

[@RonCecchetti]

he does

[@boweshow]

Thank you so much for sharing this! A lot can be learned from videos like this!

[@natetheplug7994]

Thank you Leslie & Waves!

[@Gates216]

I just learned so much! This brother is a naturally great teacher 💯🙏🏾

[@mazenhamdon9649]

This video was amazing. Really made a difference in my vocal mixing.

[@Jessie88ITA]

Could stay here hearing Leslie for hours & hours!!! Thank you waves for bringing up this videos ;)

[@MarcusTheMC]

Loved this video. Out of all the tutorials I’ve watched this was definitely the best. Very specific and throughly explained. Thanks.

[@warnutztheloser]

He's the genius behind the Diamond HIT "HAPPY"

[@cjeoleo6994]

warnutztheloser wow that’s litty

[@warnutztheloser]

@Gerhard Schöner Dont matter

[@CamJames]

@Gerhard Schöner Considering the layering on Pharrell's sung vocals, you'd be incorrect. Mixing always matters.

[@JiggOnline]

This video is so helpful. Leslie has actually mixed some records for me and its dope to see his process. I've watched this video like 20 times.

[@DeethaDon]

How much does he charge for a track

[@TrakMonkProductions]

I would like to thank you for being so clear with explaining your process

[@alexandroaltuzar]

It is one of the videos, which has served me the most, listen to the audio quality that I edit and uff, the best are the waves, the effect that it gives, very real Thank you.

[@IdrisTowervideos]

Leslie the goat had this song sounding big and clear

[@ceeorchino2816]

I can actually relate to this guy so much when he talks bout EQ. I need more tutorials from him

[@MrJodava]

Loved the honesty about his intuitive approach. Great video!

[@markross2426]

Great episode. I like Leslie's approach and there's a lot of sound advice on offer here that could save newcomers a lot of time 👏🏻

[@K3zz21]

The way he words things and his voice and everything is just so perfect.

[@NormalAF]

Ya know I give no fault to the smaller producers that give knowledge and sauce about stuff but it's nice to see someone with a highly recognizable and well known track record giving sauce, Doesn't happen everyday

[@massivebeatzz]

Thanks for posting - this guy has great energy! Please bring him back.

[@dafingaz]

Had to watch this one again. So many gems!

[@88Doug]

This guy is good! Cool calm and collective, and mixing!

[@AlecWyld]

I wish I could work under this man. So knowledgeable in this field.

[@mickeymiguel2726]

Thank you very much Waves audio for all those educational videos

[@KaizerNYC]

Fascinating. Thanks Leslie.

[@milan.comedy]

I'm so glad they've timestamped the use of the plugins

[@URMUSICCONCEPTz]

Thank you Lesley

[@chillycee1802]

Fantastic job on your teaching skills and explanations - for me its like you've added those same fine tuning mixing elements & plug ins to your overall video presentation. Very Nice LB.

[@TheZAPcon]

Yooo happened to see this in my recommended the day after doing the first pass on mixing a song for a client. That De-essing tip for "dirtying" up the vocal was more useful than I thought it would be. Wasn't even reaching for it because I wasn't having any sibilance issues, but kept thinking "damn this vocal is too clean!" Great tip! Here's a tip from me; if you feel like a vocal is lacking punchiness, try adding a transient designer to the chain. This especially works great on fast flows in my experience. Thanks for the knowledge!

[@sinewavemusic]

God bless you Leslie .... You did it smartly. Thanks to waves also

[@88Doug]

MARKO BEATO This is great!

[@Crookthatsme]

This is an incredible breakdown video - thanks for sharing, great insight.

[@marcelruja]

Waves...amazing...Leslie... inspireing like usual. Thanks 4 the post

[@gcgb2186]

Big legend right here guys, thanks for the vid !!!!!!

[@BONUSLANDER]

The pre mix is better than most people final product lol prob recorded that on a lit set up

[@jim7609]

Probably just engineered properly in a well acoustically treated space (which can be done with some foam and blankets) on a quality mic which can be 200 bucks. The actual performer makes the most difference

[@ilikelines7271]

@@jim7609 exactly. you can't pay for a good product; you need talent.

[@rage_fusion]

They use proper anolog pre Amps and compressors. Digital can never compare to anolog but a lot won’t tell you that it’s like becoming a secret these days lol

[@ilikelines7271]

@@rage_fusion cause in reality digital has come so close to the real thing. sooner or later the only reason to go back will be nostalgia.

[@VareaIII]

Bruh when he played thr before I could barely tell the difference. Those vocals are crisp 🤣🤣

[@ShreadsEBS]

Thanks Leslie, great video. I love your work!

[@timothygoodbarz4082]

IM so happy you guys created this. Thank you, best tutorial ever

[@TimsGuitarWorldwithTimFeskorn]

Great.... Vocal tutorial .... Even Old blues guy's can learn a lot from this video. Waves offer some great in the box mix tools. Thanks.

[@tranquil5891]

Yohh. Im hella grateful. Mastering & mixing is the hardest. Thing to do. No question. 😂

[@leerlj97]

Love Leslie. He came to our school all the time to talk to us❤️

[@dirtyspice4560]

Much needed.. Excellent breakdown..

[@syn8394]

This is reason why im buying your plugins! Thats tips are so helpfull for us

[@youngbossoxygenated5689]

How do I order for the plugins I'm in Nigeria

[@syn8394]

@@youngbossoxygenated5689 on the official site you can buy In few different currency so if you see price in $, don't worry on the next steps you can change currency

[@youngbossoxygenated5689]

Thanks bro

[@KyoSkyz]

Damn fam the information in this video is priceless ❤️

[@whomadethatbeat6133]

Best video on KZbin! Thank you!!!!!!

[@PathPMusic]

6:48.... I felt that. That's how I've been comfortable with mixing as I'm learning. I just go with what feels right.

[@Socialmediachat]

I been askin for this thankz guys to show us

[@cjeoleo6994]

Honest Bread me too

[@Writtenmirror]

This is gold! 🔥🔥🔥

[@88Doug]

Written Mirror Agreed!!

[@TeezoTarantino]

Watching the mix of a song makes me enjoy it more I Love Waves plugins they're very versatile

[@Chroxolimet]

Extremely helpful, thank you so much for this.

[@LexOfNP]

This is a great post. Wasn’t planning on sitting on youtube this long but here I am lol

[@RuslanTyab]

Legendary.

[@JulianFernandez]

more of this dude, please! Great stuff.

[@chiefyovany572]

This is one of my favorite videos.

[@PathPMusic]

Damn these vocals sound beautiful. Though I;m not always the biggest fan of the kind of Hip Hop Uzi and the like does, this album is actually what made me dig Uzi more, the actual sound quality of his production and mixing. He's working with some great engineers and producers like, as I can see, Leslie Brathwaite. Great Stuff.

[@poorhouz5051]

Exactlyyyyy. I must say I am not a fan of Lil UZi but his mixes be TIGHT. This guy is very professional. From Your Boy Poorhouzzzzzzzz

[@towoawawaboofficial]

I tell people that, once you understand how to mix something, it'll end up being on what you like and what you want to achieved. Everyone mixed different because we hear things differently.

[@scartabellomusic]

This is awesome! We need more mixing of hip hop videos!!

[@Enatural_7]

Yo, Thank you. You the way he explains is so straight forward. I do not have the capacity to hold wave plugins on my computer, but understanding his technique, I can use stock plugins for the time being. Thank you Mr. Brathwaite and Waves Audio for this gem!

[@parismilanproductions3061]

who watched in 2020 this is beyond great information and tips !!!

[@PlayRouletteProductions]

Waves tune is soooo helpful... It's not cheating it's not musical adultery

[@davidseay8097]

One of the greatest in the world! Full Sail Grad also! He knows his stuff and a great teacher.

[@MariBeats]

Dope, This probably on one the best videos I’ve seen on mixing vocals.

[@BrainztormProductions]

He did it so well, its sounds like theres only 1 rapper on the entire song, I swear its hard to tell when they take turns

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

That’s because all these auto tuned vocals sound the same. 😆

[@reconfigurine]

This guy has got mixers on top of mixers, monitors on top of monitors, and keyboards on top of keyboards.

[@MrFree-vj8qj]

Id like to see some pro working humbly for once

[@alleypallaceballin]

Thank you sir for blessing us all🙏

[@robertcrans1448]

This was amazing. Thank you.

[@jjdagreat187]

Dope video!, not sure why 7 people disliked it smh. Probably some fckn know it all's. Great Job Waves