Top Mistakes When MIXING Vocals

[@jamestarby9471]

I’m so glad you’re clearing up the HPF thing. Also the last one is good. “We’ll fix it in the mix” is something I never want to hear. I had to delete all my synth tracks a few days ago because they sucked and I had to accept that my idea wasn’t good. I’m glad I did. Thanks for another great video.

[@josephschmizzo1595]

Dave i think the extreme HPF is coming from the culture of recording in bad rooms (which unfortunately most of us have) coupled w hiphop style mixes. I've realized that if i dont cut at least up to 100, i cant get vocals to sit properly in modern hiphop/rnb production. Great video nonetheless. EDIT: i think ur analysis w hiphop vocal high end is on point, theyre mixing for small speakers/earbuds/laptops/iphone etc and that trend actually did really take off w Drake and his engineering team so ur spot on.

[@louiewgroenewald]

"Looks like a Horror Movie Poster" you mentioned in video is a good choice of words and made me laugh...😂

[@alex_16035]

100% some hip hop records i've listened to recently (uzi, thug, gunna, durk, amine) have super compressed extra bright vocals, even tho hip hop sonic signature is quite the opposite traditionally (the low end theory is a great example) I'm not saying rap records are badly mixed today, Tyler, kendrick, mac miller and brockhampton albums are stellar, but it's more like an exception

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

excellent.comment

[@MuzdokOfficial]

Its piercing the hears

[@kingyasofficial]

I think moneybagg yo vocals are clean

[@Joe_Pass]

You make so much sense dude!! Holly shit. Great content.

[@SteppaBanton]

I like number 5. I finally made that decision today and this video just confirmed it. Thanks for this vid

[@simmermusic3894]

Great tips!

[@djdanger9812]

I bought an outboard parametric eq for mixing vocals so im forced to mix with my ears and its given me the best sounding vocals ive ever done. Not only sound great but way more natural sounding and surprisingly there's a lot less happening eq wise now to. I used to get caught up in the visual side so bad but not anymore.

[@maxdishaw]

Man. #5 was so relatable for me. Just finished mixing a lo-fi hiphop album and struggled so hard trying to make it something that it wasn't. I think I got there in the end and the artist was happy but it was an uphill battle because I don't think I wasn't respecting the source material. The video analogy was so on point for this. Make it something unique and original rather than trying to look or sound expensive.

[@alexinfanti4252]

Another great lesson, thank you so much Mr.David, great!!!!! Grazie mille!!!! Un saluto di Sao Paulo Brasile!!!!!

[@indyawichofficial1346]

Although it seems as simple and elementary advice, the truth is many people do not take enough care when editing / cleaning the vox, which can turn badly when the signal gets squeezed as passing multiple step compression. Same goes with any recorded audio. Great advices as usual !

[@pejmanjamilpanah3678]

This is one of the first videos I've seen that correctly advises against unnecessarily cutting vocals. It makes me wonder why so many plugins offer this potential pitfall for mix engineers, like the Xvox plugin, which is designed specifically for vocals. Its low-cut filter can be overly aggressive, potentially damaging the low end and warmth of the voice. There are many plugins like that out there, including a lot of EQ plugins that offer aggressive low cuts in their presets. Sometimes, it feels like there's a deliberate effort to misguide people and distort their perceptions of good mixing practices (and this isn't just limited to music). As a result, listeners have become accustomed to poorly mixed audio, which has degraded their expectations. Sadly, even some world-famous singers have fallen victim to badly mixed vocals, where their voices sound unnecessarily thin and cold.

[@LorenFagen]

For sure, #10...the extra time it takes to call up a client the next day and say "we gotta try harder on this one" is worth gold later on...lots of times they end up nailing the track in a take or two when you bring them back in again...

[@showbizkid54]

David...Do NOT ever change your teaching methods or style! I have had guitar mentors who were cordial but direct about methodologies and work modes in the beginning and later secumbed to $ and the over explained ways and means to the ends. No separation of levels and following the pop trends of the day. You come across calm but direct. "Here's the work..do it and see what you think". Cudos.

[@mixbustv]

Thank you!

[@rizzbod]

David, you're a god to me now. ❤ I can say with proud " David made by mixes grow by 10x "

[@mauricejones9834]

Those 10 = Win! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’ve been following you for over 7 to 8 years and you never miss. Much Respect!

[@mixbustv]

I appreciate that!

[@alessandrosummer]

Number: you can use Melodyne if the background noise is when the vocals are not happening: you import the audio into the plugin and you delete everything that is not actually singing parts. Number 2: what about HPF at 80 on vocals? Number 3: especially on very dynamic tracks you definitely need to automate the volume; as well as changing the EQ/saturation when the singing style changes. Number 4: I'd honestly use more compression automation on the vocal track for that goal, but doing in parallel that's a valid way to do it as well! Number 5: that should be in a separate video, is so important on most tracks that you should talk about it really in depth! But yeah fake doubles/harmonies when they're not in EDM or other genres like this tend to sound... at least not great. Number 6: I didn't notice that much, mainly since I don't listen to a lot of very modern hip hop. But yeah, some songs that have become quite smashing hits (e.g: I'm Good (Blue) by David Guetta ft. Bebe Rexha) have way too much top end on the vocals. Number 7: I'd say it's less a mistake because the result is not a bad vocal, but a boring vocal. But yeah totally go for more interesting reverbs and delays! Number 8: oh my god I hate this thing! Just guys think they're surgeons that should remove all the bad stuff, but by doing this you f*ck up the vocal - personally I almost never cut on vocals unless there's too much low end and I can't re-record the parts. Number 9: it's kinda like number 5: as I said, a video just on this topic would be great! Number 10: yeah it happens, with experience you can avoid those big problems that force you to re-record the vocals but sometimes is much better than banging your head on the wall to make a sh1t vocal sound even decent. Great video anyway, hope you appreciate the comment David!

[@SheikRonMC]

Thank you

[@chiefindisguise]

I work in regueton/latin urban pop and a lot of the mentality (or default mentality) for vocals is to use a bright/agressive mic (manley black), compress the bejesus out of the vocals, ad highs, then the mastering engineer will boost highs again, i hate that sound. P.S. #10 is the most important if one is in charge of the project

[@DOENERUSCHI]

Fantastic as always, thank you so much for these insights!

[@Keroser1983]

This is was very good! All to the point and very clear. Amazing

[@seagers_studio]

Excellent advice and analysis. I'm a Drake fan but struggle to listen to an album in one sitting up loud. So damn bright. Bring back the character and warmth of the early Wu Tang and Nas albums - dust off those MPCs

[@disciplethepoet]

That horror sound killed me. Also I went back to some songs I've been trying to get right and drastically reduced the low cut on the vocals and you're so right. They sounded thin af

[@konjstip6156]

Hell F***ing YEAH for all of them 10 !

[@AdamZiokowski666]

I can't agree more. I work mostly on rock and metal music and cutting even at 75hz is sometimes too high on guttural deathmetal vox. Same thing with brightness - I tend to use lower impedance on my mic pre to get more "chest" and "throat" even if it sacrifices some brightness, because it just creates more powerful feeling, especially with highly distorted guitars. What is more - I prefer to use sm7 instead of condensers when vox are mainly growl or grunt.

[@monkmusic5994]

Again, best honest advice!

[@mbproject704]

Thanks, this video helped me understand your feedback on my song reviews.

[@shaharkarp4357]

Thanks Master

[@TheMixClub]

It made me think when you where talking about moving the fader. I spent most of my life as at FOH. Im always always on the faders creating movement. Im also a player and I get in a zone much like playing guitar when mixing FOH. For me! a bit less movement in the studio less dramatic but it still needs to happen to makes the music come alive. I hope i explained what i was trying to get out.

[@mixbustv]

Definitely, those who have experience with live know and are more used to move faders than the new gen of engineers who learned in front of a computer only.

[@Robin_Cl1bMagic]

Great content as always 🔥

[@NominalTopic]

I always find myself thinking “he’s right” when watching your videos, good Sir. Also- Chest Resonance is a real thing.

[@djorig]

Rappers want to use the Sony C8000, which is a bright mic.

[@loiki_beatz9499]

The fucking number 10!!!! ❤

[@The_Buff_Guy]

I roll off up to 80-100 for my own voice because I’m a Basso and have WAYYYY too much low end when all the vocal tracks are in there together, as I usually work with 4 layers in a verse and chorus. For other singers, I’ll roll off up to 70 for most men, 100 for most women. Really depends on your singer, and very much on the mic you’re using. This is why the shure sm7b is my favourite vocal mic for hard rock and metal.

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

Also depends on the Q…

[@ayoobakeengp]

I love this bro please there is a particular vocal mixing of someone I just love the brightness of the vocal please can you guess the mic use for the record and what the vocal might pass through before it get to the daw or how to achieve the result

[@MuzdokOfficial]

It can maybe sound harsh for some but its just the truth from an expert. Great video David. The end made me laught its so true! Then after you get obsessed over it and you dont want to play it. Lol the f reaction is gold.

[@APaclin]

3:25 I actually sometimes use Melodyne for that function. It cuts everything nicely below the fundamental and it’s never gonna miss. Do you think it’s a wrong approach?

[@mixbustv]

I think it's unnecessary at best.

[@prinxemmy_]

i hvnt laughed this hard in a long time……i am very guilty of some of these thanks a lot for this eye opening mistakes

[@SteveLox]

Always Wait For Your Videos To Pop Up On My KZbin Newsfeed Or Subscriptions Great Work With The No Filter , We Need More People Like You Love The Content. 👍🏼👊🏼 …….. What Do You Think About Digital Audio Workstation’s Sound Engine ? Do You Think Every DAW Has Its Own Color Or Do You Think It’s A Myth ?

[@mixbustv]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYaWpqlmrdutbq8

[@Six2Nine]

Cool tipps thy

[@PharaohLawLess1]

This is a great video

[@mathewjohnofficial1061]

Hey David, I would like to know how you tune vocals and get smothered in the mix.

[@damianoakes2592]

One tip I would offer to fix a lot of the EQ mistakes you're talking about is to not reach for a parametric when you're EQing a vocal. Stuff like Neve 1073/1084, API 550, Helios Type 69, and Trident A-Range were made to sound good on vocals, both in their frequency selections and their bandwidths. Same goes for a Pultec. Even in studios where they have those big SSL consoles with 8 billion channels of parametric EQ, they also have outboard stuff, and vocals are one of the main things on which they'll want a "sweeter" EQ.

[@mixbustv]

They were made to sound good on as many things as possible. I gave the advise of staying away from full digital parametrics as default a long time ago, especially for newbies. If an API 550B is not enough, then something is off with the tracks, especially if it's all of them.

[@thebeatmajors_yt]

The barrier of entry for having a hip hop record breakthrough is a lot lower than other genres. So you either end up with young and inexperienced mixers or truthfully a lot of producers are mixing the entire song. It's really one of the only genres where not going to an engineer is promoted mainly because of the whole KZbin surge of tutorials and channels saying how you can "mix a song in only three steps!" Because once you get to the top artist who actually have professional and respected engineers who are students of the game, they don't have that problem.

[@mixbustv]

Social media understood one simple concept: make everyone a superstar for a day and they'll be hooked to the platform.

[@runemidsun]

Topp stuff, thanks for this video a great reminder. Btw I have a question? Do you have a tip for removing bleed from the headsett in a vocal track? 🤞🤞🤞

[@mixbustv]

Izotope RX or Sonible new gate

[@runemidsun]

@@mixbustv thanks, just downloaded Rx, this will be fun 😅

[@KimonoEtrange]

I'm having a hard time understanding mistake #5, what do you mean by "real vocal production". Good microphone with acoustic treated space, high quality effects and pitch correction is not enough to have "high quality"? Thank you foir the great content!

[@mixbustv]

How many vocal tracks you record, how many doubles, how many harmonies, which harmonies, how many and what BVS, how many accent vocals, how many hidden vocal track, do you need backup/reniforcement singers, which take is good and which is trash and so on.

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

All the nuances you put into your music production, you should also have that level of detail in your vocal production especially as it’s the most important part of your song.

[@renejrhodes88]

I really like your shirt, especially given the current climate! I'll say no more and tip my (virtual) hat to you.

[@nicovandenberg_]

Mobile phones play a huge part in the high end trend. It's just how music is consumed now a days. I have to add an extra transient to almost every kick, otherwise they say it's too dull or not audible enough.

[@mixbustv]

I don't think people listeining music on their phones care about top end or your kick. Hence, you should not mix based on what phones do, also because which phone?

[@thestreetdisciple3955]

I will like to add the mistake of not a/bing with the mix and in solo. I really like the cooper time cube from uad am def getting into making some unique layers of fx that fits with the vibe of the song though cause one of my mistakes was just that too. so I just listen ask does this mix call for a more intimate or dramatic sound? Then go on to choosing maybe some kinda room if I'm going for intimate but not excessively mix in after setting other parameters it in with the vocal especially if I want to add some sort of thin plate to add more of a airy feeling without using a hall because hall verbs adds lot of width and height. Room adds depth, and plate adds a mono, colored type of sound. And if I want to push it back a bit more use a hall or delay completely or subtly depending on the time and whatever else I have going on.

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

Fuck! I definitely hi passed too high! I did it exactly the way you said not to! 😭

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Dictionary Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more se·ries LOL David, I always wondered if you guys pronounce it that way in your country or you knew it was pronounced different here?...I got you :) I know what you mean, been following for years. :) Sorry, this was OFF SUBJECT :) I agree when COmpressing VOX harder than norm that we need to Clean it ALL UP!

[@AutoclaveBeats]

Hi David, thank you for the video. What saturation plugin would you recommend for parallel vocals...do you eq the parallel?

[@mixbustv]

I don't eq parallel (unless there's no other choice or there's a particular problem and 99% there's always a better choice) Audiority Pyros or Decap are probably my favorites for parallel saturation (plugins)

[@SydneyValette]

I spend 80% of my mixing time on my vocals for the last 15 years and I still feel like a beginner, it’s so hard wish I had a mix engineer just for that…

[@josephschmizzo1595]

u in a built out room? or a modest room? I'm finding that probably close to 60% of the time we waste in mixes is because of having either a room too small (typically) or a room w too much diffusion.

[@mixbustv]

Well you have me lol

[@SydneyValette]

@@josephschmizzo1595 too much diffusion i guess

[@contraspower6302]

🙏🙏♥️

[@trending_music_33]

❤

[@47Libra]

Guilty

[@jaymeal123]

Too much reverb, background vocals are too loud and main vocal is lost in the mix are the biggest flaws I hear in my own mixes 😅😅😅 I’m trying to get better!

[@mixbustv]

Or you can switch genre and do Emo Pop and the same mix will be perfect lol

[@kenselcer]

I guess this is good advice and info, but I suggest you use examples. Wouldn't this be beneficial? Otherwise, it's just more information, and we have plenty of that. Thanks

[@mixbustv]

There's plenty of examples if you buy my mixing course.

[@kenselcer]

OK. Thank you