How to record a choir with one person

[@r.k.knight2164]

The internet can be cruel and I think this video was an excellent response to what happened. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch and I really enjoy your music. You are a treasure.

[@southernlady5085]

Superb video. I know nothing about production, so this was highly informative. Everything you share is excellent. I can’t believe anyone would take you to task for production values (correct term?) that are commonly used these days. You music is ALWAYS a delight to listen to. Well done!

[@khelectrical]

​@@southernlady50851:09 1:47

[@khelectrical]

​@@southernlady5085😅😅

[@khelectrical]

​@@southernlady5085in

[@life.with.sabine]

I am dying of laughter when you did the different tones by using characters. I just love the covers and originals you do each time.

[@TheLeannansidhe]

This was super fun to watch! And it definitely wasn't you not explaining well enough in the video you showed at the beginning, a bunch of people just suck. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@jillianbuckley5570]

THE "JERSEY MOM" SINGING MADE ME CRACK UP HAHAHA

[@M-eye-uh-rawr-D]

Why would anybody be mean to you? You're a delight! I can't believe some people

[@jckatz]

Because KZbin is a horrible place it's amazing that they have such wonderful people like Malinda creating beautiful art.

[@MrGreatplum]

@@jckatz - I think it was TikTok which is a den of iniquity at the best of times!

[@jckatz]

@@MrGreatplum that's why I didn't see it. I installed tiktok once and un-installed it 3 minutes later

[@MrGreatplum]

@@jckatz - yup, definitely not for me!

[@emaayan]

at least according to the comments she displayed, i wouldn't call those mean, most of them simply said they didn't undestand.

[@ChrisPreece]

Whenever people ask me one of my secrets I always say different locations. If you have the ability, drag the microphone into your bathroom and do a track or two in there, then maybe with you in the bathroom and the microphone outside the door. Do one inside a wardrobe (or similar space) with coats hanging up, then do one in your living room with the windows open (fun for all the neighbours!) it can make mixing a bit of a pain, but it really can add something to have a lot of different ambient noise and natural reverb in there, as long as it isn't completely out of control. I know the trend nowadays is for recording as dead a sound as possible and then adding digital reverb but remember that some of the greats did things like recording in big hallways or putting microphones at the bottom of a stairwell and the drum kit playing at the top, and those made for awesome records.

[@toffeefuchs]

and now I know why the upstairs neighbours in my last apartment would record parts of their music in the bathroom sometimes.... It always hella annoyed me because they often did it at night, but at least now I know why. :D

[@ecospider5]

I was coming to say the bathroom would be a good place. But you in the bathroom and the mic outside the bathroom that’s brilliant.

[@ecospider5]

Supposedly Frank Sinatra sang into one microphone which was recorded. And at the same time had that come out of a speaker in a room with only a microphone that was also recording. Giving a slight delay. Now the crazy part. He had the room painted multiple different ways to get the sound right.

[@ademers03]

In my opinion the whisper track is a GAME CHANGER!!!! I really didn't think about it, but it makes it feel so "real" and "full" ! Loved the video Malinda!!!

[@cosmeticincantations7997]

Hell yeah! Now I can finally have a choir without the dread of actually contacting other organic lifeforms!

[@prayforukraineplease7605]

🤣🤣🤣

[@tamismile2]

😂

[@jtmotenz]

Bro my issue is that I have to contact other life forms and make them do all this stuff for a fake choir LOL I’m terrified

[@odu_history_1972]

I started recording a year ago, so I'm still learning stuff. "Doing characters" is something I figured out on my own, but flamming and whisper tracks seem counterintuitive and I would never have come up with that on my own. I think both of those are what my recordings are missing and I'm definitely going to add that for future recordings.

[@SamirCCat]

Could you please help me explain what she means at 6:50 with "exporting it"? I make advanced music on the computer since 10-15 years back and I've already discovered flamming and duplicating and panning by myself, but what is exporting? I can't have 8-12 tracks of just the choir, my computer thinks it's too much to handle at once. Does exporting mean you join the regions into one? How? I use Garageband and have no one to ask due to mental illness and isolation.

[@outlanderfrog]

​@SamirCCat I know this is very late, but she bounced or exported all the choir tracks as a single file, then brought it back in and duplicated it.

[@SamirCCat]

@@outlanderfrog Could you please explain what that means in other words? As a non-native speaker I don't understand in this context what bounce or export means. I've even studied English at uni, but not music or computer terms. I have decided to record four voices in different tracks and different panning, then I mark the recordings and "join" (command-J) them into one track. I then duplicate the joined recording and put as two tracks with different panning to give more stereo-sound. Is this what she means? I have no one to ask...

[@eksboks148]

@@SamirCCat sorry you keep getting ghosted, I'm not necessarily confident in this but I think joining them would end in the exact same result. exporting is what you do when you are done with a song and say, go to upload it to youtube. the computer processes all the files and basically ends up joining all of the audio data into one single file, instead of the many it started with, so you do this with the multiple files you recorded to begin with, then take the one file the computer sort of "spit out" from "chewing it all up" (lol), put it back in your audio software two times so you have two of the exact same master file, and then pan them. Let me know if this helps, I'm not very good at explaining stuff but I would hate to see you left without a satisfying explanation, even after a year haha

[@DorothyOzmaLover]

So amazing as always which is why Malinda is such a muse! It'd be a joy if Malinda did an arrangement of The Highwayman and Henry Martin since she'd bring her flare and style to them making both epic.

[@BonaparteBardithion]

Personally, I find The Highwayman a good one for trying different voices.

[@robertckulp]

Great video. When you brought up the claps and shifting them slightly, it reminded me of how Brian May and Queen recorded the "Stomp, Stomp, Clap" section of "We Will Rock You" - adjusting the timing of multiple recordings of just the four of them so that it sounded more like a thousand. Again, great job with this and all your work.

[@mikewiese]

I wish you dropped this video two weeks earlier... before I actually recorded a choir with myself and a friend. 🤣🤣🤣 I learned a bunch, though. I find everything related to recording/mixing fascinating and really appreciate the info. Thanks a lot, Malinda. ❤🤘

[@conditionedby]

Despite not having any interest in recording vocals, or anything artistic except just hearing music, i enjoyed this video a lot! You have a nice flow of delivering information that makes the subject even more entertaining. Good job!

[@Krrrsten]

IM HERE AFTER THE SONG CAME OUT AND I LOVE IT EVEN MORE

[@kalmingkalimbaofficial]

She's literally an angel. Both her voice and her personality.. literally an angel ❤️❤️❤️

[@LeviMcClain]

As someone who's also felt the full wrath of random TikTok hate at one time or another, good call privating the video. Engaging with the hate will bring you down so much and is entirely undeserving of your attention. Also, the old man voice got me 😂

[@CreativeMindsAudio]

The characters wow! That's a great idea! i'll have to use that one! Also I'm an audio engineer and never thought of this haha.

[@JohnFL]

As a bass, I have actually done this about 150 times to create ''choirs of Johns.'' I would sing Christian hymns that already have added SATB harmony in the sheet music. I didn't spend a lot of time on each one, it was more for the personal enjoyment but this video really was right up my alley! Thanks for the tips Malinda!

[@igormitin1989]

Thanks, this explanation is really nice and interesting! Also, the trick with pitching up and down for adding "fake-tenors" is brilliant) Being a tenor myself, I now feel not needed:) Can't sing anyway though

[@BonaparteBardithion]

As an alto, this could probably help with fake-soprano too. Gonna have to try it some time.

[@davechess8855]

Huge props for staying so positive (and enjoyable!) when the internet gets obnoxious!

[@PhilippeArantesTina]

Thank you so much !!!! I'm actualy writing a song with my band that has choir ! The timing of this tutorial is just perfect !! Thank you very much !!

[@casual-owl]

I just listened through a bunch of your recent folk music. I loved it so much!! Irish history and art is so inspiring to me, and I'm so happy that your using your talents to celebrate it!

[@TheGreatJohnPlays]

Flamming is a basic technique in drumming, often taught alongside another technique with a wonderful name: the paradiddle!

[@JT-rf4qd]

I think you’re amazing. I imagine anyone throwing negativity your way has a fraction of your talent and charisma. They can fall to the wayside as you continue to shine and be successful.

[@findingair9353]

Omg!! I dont even know what kind of human would say anything mean about you. I feel like you didnt need to apologize to anyone! I loved your video and your new song! Keep being you and ignore the ugly stupid humans who dont know how to human. You're talent, voice, knowledge, creativity, art, and energy blow me away! You are awesome!

[@markbenson488]

You're so very talented, I wish I could sing like that! Your personality, sense of humor, and sass, also cracks me up lol. It makes the videos more fun :).

[@MrKevinp0]

I can't understand how anyone could ever be mean or insulting, especially to someone as sweet and kind as you are. Please don't ever let the haters bring you down. You, Malinda, are indeed a treasure!! Thank you!!

[@onesandzeros2u]

The world could always use more Malindas, hope you get up to do some shows up in Canada. Stay awesome!

[@darkmoon_dawg]

What a very helpful, concise, distilled explanation of how to do a really powerful trick in vocal production.

[@urbosasflurry4711]

I was INSTANTLY reminded of your Wellerman/Hello Fresh Song as I saw the Hello Fresh sponsor ad😅 Soon may the Hello Fresh come, to bring us fresh and tasty noms...

[@potkettle]

What a wonderful gift to anyone doing recording. A perfect little 10 minute masterclass.

[@northstarhiker]

Absolutely impressive. Great techniques, and masterfully explained. Those giving you grief on your original whisper track video were to lazy to look into the purpose of it first. Well done as always.

[@Cinnder]

Flamming has to be a term that the Jersey Mom character came up with!

[@llswarts]

I ve always been fascinated by folks doing their own recordings, this sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing! :) Now I can add this to some of my own stuff

[@knightofni735]

Watching this for the second time since yesterday, just because it's so weirdly satisfying to gradually hear all of the tracks coming together and creating more and more layers for the final sound. Really cool to watch! Also now I can't wait for the song to be released, those two lines already sound great :D Excited for the full thing!

[@tssas2813]

I know nothing about making music or really music itself beyond the music I like but you made this very interesting. You’re an excellent communicator beyond being a very talented musician… great job!

[@rockinrileys5678]

I saw that video and thought it was funny. Just watching you lose it and them calling you out. Such a great friendship you have.

[@drkeithnewton]

I just found this video 1 year after posting. it's been tremendously helpful for my own production work. Hope you're rockin it! Thanx!

[@jo_g.germany]

Both of my parents sang in a choir, my mother still does at 84+. I never aspired to that or to singing, but I am a very active music consumer, mostly what I call neo-pagan, medieval folk, melodious metal music, and cinematic stuff. But I never really had a full grasp of the creative efforts required to develop outstanding music. Especially due to the pandemic, I discovered vocal coaches (The Charismatic Voice thankfully early on), reactors like Tank the Tech and Chase Carneson, and musicians like you. I have developed an entirely new appreciation of music and of musicians. Thanks for videos like this one, and thanks for the music! 🤘🏻 from Germany! (Edited for typos)

[@michaeltimile]

that's crazy how good it sounds

[@krystalmogensen6674]

This is probably one of my favorite videos I have ever seen from you. Not only is the content super fun, I think, you explain it well. I am so excited to hear this new song! I'm in love with those lyrics.

[@DotsAndLinesMusic]

As a mostly a capella singer who's still figuring things out, this was really interesting and helpful! Thanks for explaining and showing what all the steps sounded like. I want to try out a bunch of these ideas now.

[@MathiasFritsche]

What a great idea!! ❤😁👍

[@hellos3487]

You're a talented, intelligent, funny, down to earth lady with a beautiful voice! Always be true to yourself! No matter what anyone thinks! I appreciate your site.

[@2001madeincgy]

Whisper track is like a bass on music production it makes your vocal full and bright and gives color!!!! :))) nice voice!!!

[@ProdigalGeek]

I'm so glad the KZbin algorithm led me to your channel! It's absolutely incredible and this video in particular was so enlightening and educational. Thank you Malinda

[@colinwiltshire4503]

This was such a fun and instructive video. As an older guy, I can relate to the ‘old man’ vocal, but what a fun project to make 1 voice sound like 1,000. Greetings from Canada🇨🇦

[@kickinghorse2405]

Yea! Genius, kind, empowered . . . Love it!

[@ashleycox432]

This was great and a really nice subtle application of the whisper track. Thanks for sharing.

[@caminopreacher5958]

You are one of the most enthusiastic and optimistic artists I've ever seen. Please keep that same fire stoked as you continue on your journey. And thank you for bringing all of us along!😁🍻

[@gefginn3699]

Great response. Great character shown here by you. Much love, care and blessings to you my dear. 💚

[@Qexilber]

Wow, the whisper track ABSOLUTELY made a difference to me. As if the room was suddenly really filled with sound and people.

[@huginnn3002]

god this is so well explained, i'm really grateful people like Malinda exist

[@MK-kn5ol]

I CANT WAIT FOR THE SONG!! As soon as any of your songs come out I try to sing them in as many different styles as possible and its really fun :)

[@racerdeth]

"...and if I can do them literally anyone with a microphone can do them" says one of the best technical singers in my music collection.

[@bc6399]

Oh! I’ve always wondered how on Earth you did all those voices in all your videos. I love your clone choir.

[@SarahAliceDouglas]

Love seeing how other people create their one person productions! Definitely giving me some extra ideas, but also I do some of the same things myself :)

[@_mariacarolina]

Just watched this video and I have to say that you are so gentle, funny and talented!! AND you explain things perfectly. Thank you for teaching us

[@JohnWass79]

This. Is. Brilliant. You have, in the space of just a few minutes, made a concise explanation of what I have been trying to wrap my brain around for weeks. Thank you so much!

[@Brando56894]

As someone that knows nothing about this, that was awesome to watch and listen to, your voice so beautiful 😍

[@lolzguyl]

I'm wearing that very shirt as I type! The perfect memory from the show in NYC!

[@SanderEvers]

This is really creative, educative and fun to watch. Thanks :)

[@Brittanysplittany]

Oh my gosh, I love Wild One!

[@Beatsbasteln]

you should make more production tutorials like this. i just saw this seems to be kind of the exception on your channel but you're great at this

[@a.j.laponsie9226]

Oh my goodness, literally perfect timing! I've been thinking lately about making songs where I create a choir by myself. I'm definitely going to use these tips and see what happens! P.S. Please make more tutorials for other techniques like this :) For example: how to make your singing deeper or higher than it can actually go, while making it sound natural?

[@daringterra4046]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! Go for it! I Learn so much from you you are amazeballs and I'm sending positive vibes your way bc you deserve it. We all exist in the world and I want to make it a more positive place :)

[@rev.rachel]

I adore watching tutorials even for things I would never want or have time to do! And this is something I'm super interested in, so I would love love love to see you teach us more about how to do the things!

[@bobsternvogel5550]

I'll have to listen for these tricks next time I hear a "choir" on what appears to be a one-person performance. Looking forward to hearing the song you previewed in its final version, and I agree with your decision to give the "Jersey mom" special prominence.

[@BonaparteBardithion]

Recommend listening to some Enya, another one person choir. She uses a ton of reverb, many layers of vocal (hundreds in some tracks) and carries her voice different for the low notes.

[@anouklopatka7613]

You're a so great teacher, thank you for making music so interesting! I'm impressed!

[@punmasked]

I would legit never believe that was all one person if I didn't watch you do this. So cool!!!!

[@jaredini]

I recorded some takes on the 15 floor concrete staircase in my block of flats. I also got two friends to sing even though they said they'd feel stupid, but told them that it doesn't have to be perfect. It worked well.

[@philosophrwiggles1175]

Your personality and humor makes your videos very easy to watch. Top that with amazing talent. Also this video was quite informative even though I don't have any musical ability.. at all lol.

[@himbo_noa]

This video had me learning, laughing, WHEEZING, and then just in awe. This was beautiful. ❤❤❤ i also feel a massive urge to fight everyone who was a jerk on that TikTok

[@bw6138]

Malinda, you are freaking adorable! I like how you nerd out on music.

[@ДарьяОсипова-ч1р]

I would like videos for beginning singers: how to choose a repertoire? how do you develop your own singing character? how do you choose your style( I want try opera, jazz, folk ALL OF THEM)? what do you think about singing in native language vs singing in English for a non-english speaking person?

[@IceNixie0102]

I cannot wait to hear this song in full.

[@haileynichelle8343]

More like this please! Love seeing the behind the scenes of songwriting ❤

[@lefthandedspanner]

a particularly wild example of this is Tim Buckley's "Starsailor" the entire song consists of him singing (sometimes yodelling) at different speeds and tones, layered into a sort of choir - it's extremely trippy also if you want to create a truly unearthly effect, combine these techniques with microtonal variations a good (live) example of this is paragraph 7 of Cornelius Cardew's "The Great Learning"

[@SamirCCat]

Malinda, I've followed you since the very beginning, and I'm so impressed with how you have grown as a singer as well as a person. I struggle with mental health too, so I understand exactly how difficult it is, and I'm proud of you for coming this far!! An thank you SO MUCH for this video!! Could you please make more pedagogic videos about tips of recording music? I love writing music and have done it for 20 years. Due to my illnesses I can't work, but I'm very musical and I record on the computer. I do everything myself, all the singing and all instruments, but the technical parts about recording is difficult for me when I don't know anything about computers and have no one to ask. Due to my disability I live a very isolated life, but I wish to create my own youtube channnel with my music and lyrics, but I need to get better at recording first. I think all your fans, no matter if writing their own music or not, would appreciate seeing behind the scenes and how recording is done. I love your voice! You're an amazing person! /Another queer girl that loves folk music

[@tomhwoods]

This has come at the perfect moment. I was experimenting with a choir effect this week, and now thanks to you Malinda I have the quick tools to finish the jobette. Lovely.

[@jonathanansleymusic4992]

This video was made for me!! I’m recording a song and making myself a choir AS WE SPEAK! Thanks!!! 😁

[@VIJID1]

I have never laughed this much in a very serious video. A masterpiece just like your voice.

[@FrankBell]

Jersey Mom. Holy moly hell... I LOVE Everything about this video.

[@petermazur2520]

This was so fun to watch. I tried it immediately and the result surprised me :) Thanks for the tips

[@wpolleon]

My friends and I really enjoyed (and learnt) from this video! Went to your channel to see if you have any more teaching songwriting/production and we'd love it if you had a playlist with them/made more of these! They're really interesting to watch and insightful❤ Keep going with all the great work!

[@RisenShine22]

wow, it's the whisper tracks that give me goosebumps!

[@sorachandler7169]

I can't wait tillthe whole song comes out next year ia m so excited for it.

[@Whabligone]

The further I watched this video, the more my jaw dropped. It is SO amazing and awesome. I have seen such single person choirs and always wondered how on earth is it done. Love your music and think you have a super awesome voice

[@katsukamijo3943]

It's a huge help for us beginner vocalists/cover singers. Thank you lots.

[@KeithOlson]

You're right! The whisper tracks *are* SO SUBLTE!!! :grin:

[@AngieNTheComettes]

I also recorded a bunch of vocals for my cover of "Beautiful Creatures" along with the help of my vocal coach. After mix and mastering it sounds like a choir

[@daleighmckay]

Omg~! I love this video. I've been dabbling into music recording myself, and this technique sounds like it will totally help flesh out some of my songs! I'd love to see more technical videos like this!

[@RaheemBakare]

Super helpful! You’re amazing ✨

[@gorgisgang6712]

very awesome Malinda

[@chuckn3579]

That was awesome. So nice the help you can get from modern recording software with all the tracks, pitch transposing, etc. Great job.

[@colinparks619]

As an enthusiast producer, I was debating recording a real choir, but this is so good, I will link you to when the album drops using your technique Thank you so much xx

[@Dude_Guyman]

I laughed all the way through this at the silliness of it, but it is actually very cool, and useful info.

[@gember1382]

Wow!! That sounds sooo good!

[@alexanderhild150]

Malinda😂..good morning from Germany ☕️☕️. I love the humor and uniqueness of your character. You are an awake human.☕️☕️ Molaim do ghrásta. ☘️

[@richardlibby2407]

Love the harmonies!! More harmony pieces, please!!

[@alexiakonstantaraki]

I am really new to all this andI barely know how to use programs and all that jazz but I am really looking forward to using your advice! Thanks for uploading such helpful tips!

[@BigBaldandBeardiful]

I was obsessed with staring at that clock reflection! Lol it was cool to see the different times of day when you were recording or just how much time passed from the last cut. But very interesting video. Great job! I did enjoy the rest of it, too! I swear hahaha.