Mixing Rap Vocals with Waves Plugins (Part 1)

We're back once again in the Mixing with Waves Plugins series, mixing a rap verse start to finish! Covering all the essentials plus cool techniques like serial compression to help your rap and hip hop vocals stand out in the mix.
Part 2: • Mixing Rap Vocals with...
My New Album "Tired Eyes" 🎶 spoti.fi/3yBSO2Z
Plugins Used 🔌:
Waves Gold Bundle: waves.alzt.net/xm3dd
Waves StudioRack: waves.alzt.net/eQM7D
🎛 Mixing Presets & DAW Templates
NEW Divine Mixing Vocal Chains Ultimate (StudioRack): bit.ly/vocal-chains-ultimate
UPDATED Divine Mixing Vocal Chains SR (StudioRack): bit.ly/vocal-chains-sr
UPDATED Divine Mastering Chains SR (StudioRack): bit.ly/mastering-chains-sr
Divine Mixing Waves Template (Logic Pro X, Cubase & Pro Tools): bit.ly/waves-template
Divine Mixing Vocal Chains - Logic Edition (Logic Pro X): bit.ly/vocal-chains-le
🎹 Synth Presets & Drum Samples:
8oh!8 Bass Presets for Serum - bit.ly/8oh8-presets
Urban Dreamscapes for Serum - bit.ly/urbandreamscapes
The Niche Kit (Creative Drum and Loop Kit) - bit.ly/nichekit
🎓 Video Training Courses:
NEW Divine Beat Mixing (Mixing & Mastering Course): bit.ly/divine-beat-mixing
Divine Mixing Session 1 (Mixing & Mastering Course): bit.ly/divinemixing
Divine Mixing Session 2 (Mixing & Mastering Video Course): bit.ly/divinemixing2
Hip Hop Vocal Production (Lynda.com Course): bit.ly/hhvpcourse
🎶 My Favorite Music Distribution Service (use this link for a discounted membership): distrokid.com/vip/seandivine
*I have the Musician Plus plan
🔈 My Studio Gear
seandivine.com/studio
💬 Let's Connect
seandivine.com
Instagram: / seandivine
Disclosure: My videos contain affiliate links to products and services I use and recommend. I may receive a small commission on sales through these links, at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support as this helps me continue to create content for the channel!

[@Wayde100]

I do not comment on youtube, but this tutorial is phenominal! My mixing has vastly improved because of your videos. Thanks Sean!

[@chiefyovany572]

Basically I’m graduating from KZbin university with an audio engineer degree. Thanks for the video.

[@graceproduction3889]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂funny . I’m straight behind you

[@papa_da_engineer]

Great video as usual Sean🔥 I really enjoy these start to finish type videos, very informative. 💯

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Gringo :)

[@thatboychub9963]

Been learning from u since ya old videos bro u came along way and blessed a lot of our production special salute 2 ya success and for increasing mines.. God Bless ya my brudda..

[@SeanDivine]

appreciate it Chub and glad to hear it!

[@GuimaBeats]

Always great tips, Sean!

[@victornico]

«Tryna be a son og the most high» i feel these lyrics man! 🙏

[@AustinAlchemy]

Man I swear the tips and overall wisdom you drop is straight gold. When it came to mixing and mastering my own EP, you totally helped me. I just wanna say thank you bro!

[@SeanDivine]

awesome, I'm glad it's helping Taylor 🤜

[@ToRaw98]

Good tutorial bro I like that one take punches panned left and right , sounds good definitely trying that next session

[@Bornwenzday]

I'm a simple guy. Divine drops a mixing tutorial and I hit like...

[@SeanDivine]

thanks :)

[@DreErdna]

Not gonna lie, I definitely look up to you when it comes to doing music !!! (recording, mixing, etc)

[@GhettoSista]

Thanks man! I used this video for my first mix and I really appreciate the valuable content and the good representation of your mixing technique!

[@SeanDivine]

🙌🙏

[@michaelblackbeats8217]

Great man, thank you very much for this. I've been mixing beats for years now, but mixing vocals is something new for me and this is tremendously helpful! Can't wait for the next part!

[@SeanDivine]

glad to hear it Michael!

[@lilave5]

This is so helpful man. I’ve been using logic stock plugins for way too long. Thanks man this video was 🔥🔥 thank you

[@MrHumphrey2000]

The simplicity and methodology for teaching is 💯

[@mr.jerrymusic8623]

its all we need man thank you .

[@arenbie30]

Sean don’t worry about explaining yourself about peaking if it sounds good it’s good. Good stuff as usual bro 💯

[@SeanDivine]

thanks bro :)

[@65Biggo]

Everytime Sean drops a video, you know it's going to be good!

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@shelemiahbenisrael8820]

Thanks again Sean. That studio rack plugin is interesting. Love that song too.

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Lloyd!

[@KevinKouto]

This is definatly worth a like and sub keep it up!!!

[@thomassimmons2204]

I've watched a lot of youtube videos on the topic of mixing and logic pro x, and Sean Divine is the most informative and UNDERSTANDABLE

[@SeanDivine]

thomas simmons thanks Thomas, glad it’s helped you 🤜

[@mfghost2165]

Nice tutorial! Mixing is never getting old. Good work Sean!!

[@SeanDivine]

agreed, never!

[@DreErdna]

Great great great video! Yo! U gotta let us know when you drop this song! Looking forward to PT2. Also, the stereo punches r pretty cool too. I have been doing that with some of my songs.

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Andre, will do!

[@dopesnare]

dope! looking forward to part two

[@SeanDivine]

🙌

[@AuxSauce]

Sean Divine 4 president!

[@Bornwenzday]

Ayyy I can dig that..Sean Divine #2020 let's gooo!!

[@davidjamesqc]

I think he’d do good. He’s probably too moral to be an American President

[@Beatsbynysom]

Great Turorial!

[@MikeHeebz]

Thanks for sharing. I've never seen the Studio Rack used before. Solid tutorial. Peace+Love

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Mike

[@KappaVonDeeStudios]

Your name is divine for a simple and obvious reason! THANKS SO MUCH MAN, Love From POrtugal!

[@SeanDivine]

🙏 much love

[@nushrecords47]

Un mixed 0:59 mixed 16:25

[@matrix4596]

woow fire fire fire love it ♡

[@flipsergio2985]

Great video tutorial on the plug-in chain sounds great

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Michael!

[@ambeez___]

“It’s gonna sound like a jumbled mess” *sounds better than my mixes* 😔😔😔

[@ProjectsToMansions]

Something about having rap in my life makes me happy !

[@amiarbrain7434]

Best channel for videos on mixing

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Amiar!

[@orlandomenal3531]

Bro I really love tgis hook man.. sickkkk my best part tho is trying be a son of the most high reflect brightness and contrest

[@PRINCEPUDA_LTR]

Love the song. The message is powerful 🙏🏽

[@SeanDivine]

Thank you!

[@bbddymusic]

🔥😤💪🏽

[@7evenLandGmoneyManTaliban]

this vid took my power level from 100 to 200 ty bro. #grateful

[@SeanDivine]

awesome :)

[@nfmusicdesigner3627]

TY

[@abtrucesphiwehlatswayo3648]

You the one homie! thank you

[@SeanDivine]

sure thing 🤜

[@vancenichols9490]

AWESOME!!!! THANKS SO MUCH, BUDDY!!!

[@EHall-zj9zy]

Just checked out your latest album. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥....Keep The Faith!!!

[@DoubleOGentertainment]

id love to listen to this entire song

[@SeanDivine]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3SoqIametF-oNk

[@diogenessbeats7421]

insane

[@mixedbygip8938]

great video sean. Nice track as well. I would love to get my hands on the Tracked out files so i can mix this song in my studio if you don't mind?

[@orlandomenal3531]

the lyrics is great + the beat have a kinda pop rap style with the rap hip hop old school vybe.. not really the flow of the new dsay but its set on nd vybie… God bless (y) … #StayTrue

[@marioCazares]

Just found you and you're really good! Subscribed

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Mario! welcome

[@amiarbrain7434]

You should def make more like this and get into more details. Lol I don't even have to go to school because of videos like this.

[@boderrickshorter]

I wanted to thank you again! Man those vocals presets are bad ass!!!!!!!💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 and I bought some used event 2030’s I can hear my entire mix now I couldn’t with my HS8’s...

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Derrick! I'm glad to hear that man!

[@jasonjonesMK]

Very nice vocal chain. I'm using Waves for some projects right now also. HComp is 🔥👊

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Mongo, H Comp is a hidden gem 🤜

[@borisdouon2589]

thank you a lot

[@jairomarquez4759]

Mr Divine, what’s your opinion on the Slate VMR and all of Slate’s plugins. I started using th VMR and I haven’t looked back. I used it for everything. You should do a video on Mixing with the VMR

[@LuffyAkAMaDGuY]

So productive would love to hear this song & beat too!

[@SeanDivine]

thanks! coming soon :)

[@Darksagan]

This song is sick.

[@SeanDivine]

thanks!

[@aybeewon4325]

Hey Sean,I have been following up on your videos for a while now and I must say you are doing a really good job putting up tutorials like this, I got a problem though. I use FL Studio as my DAW and still have my levels much quieter even at 2db below zero! So I tried raising the gain and had many clipping issues though it didn't get to distortion point, as soon as I saw a video you made about putting a limiter or the SSL G master Buss compressor, I first tried the limiter on the master bus but it ruined all my dynamics even at default setting, also experimented with all the limiters at my disposal but it was still the same even with my Izotope Ozone 5 Maximizer, the only one that gave me a very nice compressed and lovely sound was the SSL bus compressor as it checked all my clippings and seemed to really glue the sounds together but now taking it to another session, it was still sounding too low even at 0db compared to other records, raising the levels again would either make it sound clipped or distorted or sound squashed and over compressed with a limiter. This has been my major problem for a while now, I don't really know whether the problem is coming from the DAW as even my waves De-Breath plugin has a massive delay response when put as an insert on my mixer channel in FL Studio and doesn't De breath my vocals as it normally should in the tutorials I have seen so far or maybe it's just me missing something along the line. I'd be really glad if you could address this issue or better still show me with a video on how to get a high level using FL Studio as the DAW for the demonstration to make it easier to understand. I was also wondering if u could put up a tutorial on how you achieved that effect on the vocal sample at the very first start of the video? "All the way from the start I could feel it in my heart like......." vocals. Thanks so much bro.

[@billionbarze427]

good song and thanks for the video

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Elias, sure thing!

[@giulioboobzilla]

Great Verse!

[@SeanDivine]

thanks!

[@giulioboobzilla]

U r welcum! Great mixing as well.

[@justlowrence5972]

Your tutorials changed my life bro

[@SeanDivine]

glad they've been helpful!!

[@Chimp_daddy]

Another banger from Divine! Do you double and pan every lead vocal? Or when do you find you need to do that versus just one comped take?

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Cameron! Not always, typically just if I feel the vocal isn't cutting through enough and need more excitement

[@buildgatesmusic]

Great video as always Sean! Off topic: Is it possible to use your Serum 8oh!8 presets through the Maschine MK3?

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Anthony! If Serum is supported it, I don't see why not although I haven't used it on Maschine yet

[@markmendozamusic]

Great video Sean! Super super random question, but how do you get your playhead to play where you started without cycle on?

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Mark! right click play in transport, select "play from last locate position"

[@norbertbalaz5281]

very helpfull video bro! Two questions: 1. If I doenst have 2 Backing Tracks for the Main Vox, could I imitate that technique by pulling up a Doubler on an aux-track? 2. Is it better to mix the vocals in the project where you are producing the track, or is it better to export the track and mix to vocals on top of it? I ask because I have the feeling that I dont get that "glue" when I mix the vocals with the final track. Greets from germany! :)

[@SeanDivine]

hey Norbert, sure you could use a doubler, just make sure that you detune / pan them slightly differently. The important thing is that the takes are not identical - this is actually what makes the effect work well is having different takes. The second question is a matter of preference. If I'm producing the track, I personally like to record vocals in a separate session. My production sessions tend to have a lot going on so it helps free up CPU and resources.

[@bikesnbeerz]

60K subs SD! Doctor Mix got a YT office (UK) invite at 100K . All the best brotha; you are amazing on so many levels. INRI

[@SeanDivine]

thanks bob!

[@MusicValency]

Sean, a question about the backing tracks: since you feeding them to the bus on a very low volume, wouldn't it mess up the compressor settings for them (because of the threshold)?

[@SelectGameboy]

Hey sean, question for you! What are your thoughts on making eq boosts on the vocal? I always see you make boosts at the top end around 10-15k to give it air but never around the 200-250 area to get the warmer mids of the vocal out or the 500 area or even the 800-1.5k area to make it more aggressive/present. An example of a artists vocals I love is drakes! His vocals are so present yet they are so clean and warm and just sound good. How can I achieve a similar sound to that on the vocals when mixing songs? I would really appreciate it if you could give me some tips. Thanks and keep up the great work as always!! 🙏🏻💪🏼

[@ceogriffsta1]

Hey Sean, great video....Any particular reason that you use stereo plugins on your vocals that are mono? I also seen in some of your other videos that you used stereo plugins on your kicks, etc. I have read to use mono plug-ins on mono audio sources. Whats your take?

[@SeanDivine]

I use stereo effects often (reverbs, delays, spatial effects, etc.) Using a stereo version of the plugin will allow you the flexibility to do so when needed

[@wani4774]

That studio rack plugin tho ‘

[@prod.danielvasquez9145]

Did you make the best? Love the piano!

[@SeanDivine]

I did, thanks :)

[@ekclay7]

Great

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@shawnmelody8346]

cool

[@uptobatentertainment]

Cool mixing session 😀👍 sounds like Christian rap 🎤🗿 The high end shaping of the lead vocal was very nice🔥💪 This is a great channel with quality content 👍🔥 My opinion & feedback is: 1. I would back the low pass filter down on your lead vox to 80Hz - 90 hz max 2. The H comp ( & other analog modeled plugins ) operates according to waves -18dbfs = 0Vu ... 3. It’s best to not clip any plugins, any tracks, or busses. When you bounce to disk you are not in 32 bit float ( most daw ) LPX can bounce 32 bit float recently but doesn’t import 32BF only 24 Bit. To import files to mix or master in LPX from another LPX session you have to bounce 24 bit & import 24 bit. Tpdf dither recommended 4. It is scientifically proven a human thinks louder always sounds “ better “!

[@earljohnson8851]

Can you do a video on how to use a Bus and busses properly? Really important

[@SeanDivine]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZWQfHtjg9llmsk

[@OCTAVIAakaQueenO]

Hey SD! Thanks for the tips. Can you recommend a substitute eq to boost the highs? I have everything except the eq you used in your chain. Would anything within the Gold bundle work just as good? I also have the SSLE/G.

[@SeanDivine]

the SSL EQ is great but I would suggest setting it much higher on the boost (14K), otherwise it can get harsh

[@OCTAVIAakaQueenO]

Sean Divine thank you 🙏🏽😊 I’ve been learning so much from your tutorials and tips!! Much love ❤️

[@FloccOnTheBeat]

Nice video! Would u have an idea why my plugins are not available in my studio rack?

[@SeanDivine]

seandivine.com/vocal-chains-v2-help/

[@amansahota6171]

Hey sir I bought the vocal chain from you like year ago and that time i was using logic x but now im using ableton 10 so is those vocal chain pack will work in ableton or no?

[@WolfGang_Champ]

my waves plugins don't have studiorack.... but dope video tho, super helpful.

[@KBaudio11]

Hello. Thanks for the detailed course on logic pro x. I liked everything, I would like to ask you after a recent update of the program I had one problem if you know please help. The fact is that when editing notes in the audio editor, when the flex pitch function is used, the sound disappears, that is, when you hover and press the mouse cursor on the note, it does not sound, there is no sound as before. Where are these settings, which box should be activated? help me please. Thank you

[@SeanDivine]

hi Konstantin, unfortunately experiencing the same thing on 10.4.2 :( seems like a bug

[@doyenmayhem1567]

Can I do this without soundstack?? Thanks, love you content, straight to the point! thanks for sharing!

[@SeanDivine]

definitely!

[@doyenmayhem1567]

How would you recommend? I tried to stack on the bus each eq;compression, etc and send it to each channel but doesn't sound right.

[@geniusmusic2044]

too strong my Brother ..tu if your really know .. blessings of heart

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@300avenue]

Do mixing adlibs like waka flocka adlibs or asap ferg adlibs

[@bycmano3878]

Question: You keep the vocals in Mono?? I usually record in mono and then change it to stereo as it gives it a wider sound... Should I not be doing this? I appreciate all your help!!

[@SeanDivine]

yes, the vocals are recorded mono and then I send the vocals to a stereo aux, so we can use stereo effects for width 👍

[@PharaohLawLess1]

Yo Sean...nice video. I use Waves plugins in every project But how do you feel about that Gullfoss Intelligent EQ?

[@SeanDivine]

thanks! I will have to check it out

[@PharaohLawLess1]

Sean Divine No sweat

[@yeshuagang7718]

You sound like Fort Minor. Love the bars too brother, God bless in Yeshua’s name 🙏 🇮🇱 Shalom

[@SeanDivine]

thanks!

[@plan4studios977]

Not sure if you can do it in the Waves 1176's , I don't think so, but I like the Slate 1176's because you can bypass the compression but still run the audio through it and drive the transformers for some nice saturation!

[@SeanDivine]

awesome, you can do this with the CLA76 also :)

[@plan4studios977]

Oh, sweet, good to know. I wasn't sure!!! Thanks!

[@Spencerlayne]

I need your help bro. I have bought the wave plugins. But is there any I can add to my channel I'm recording on before the vocal is recorded?

[@flamersss]

I'm wondering, when l record is this a good way as far as plug in orders go?

[@typae]

Love from Nigeria

[@SeanDivine]

love to Nigeria :)

[@updown6814]

Hey Sean I'm thinking about treating my room,I'm thinking about using 2 by 4 panels and use Owen's corning r-19 pink fiberglas within the panels and hang them up throughout the room. would that be good enough to kill room reflection when mixing my songs??

[@SeanDivine]

hey Ashani, that will definitely help! I have about 7 panels in my project setup and they're very effective for reflections / bass build up

[@updown6814]

@@SeanDivine thanks really appreciate it

[@flamersss]

Did you track with any plugins already or is this all from raw recording?

[@uzidiagonal]

You used the same effects on the backing tracks as on the main one right? So practically you just raised the volume.

[@TCF_Trill]

Can you bus vocals The way you did on this video in ProTools?

[@jamalcole1985]

Is this chain better for hip hop vocals or definitive rap chain?

[@djmode4327]

when u use studio rack for the vocals do u use the mono or stereo version ?

[@SeanDivine]

stereo as I'm usually processing on a stereo aux with stereo effects

[@boderrickshorter]

Do you mix through 2 buss processing, or add it after the mix?

[@SeanDivine]

I typically keep a brickwall limiter set to -0.1 dBFS on the stereo bus. That's it though until the mastering process.

[@DDTV213]

Did u release this track? I really like it..can u post a link?

[@SeanDivine]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3SoqIametF-oNk 🙏

what's software is this you recorded on ?

[@LukeReelfs]

If anybody else knows for sure please comment back and let me know! I watched a video by Waves (so you think I'd just trust that but I'm still unsure lol) about the attack and release on the CLA-76. Is 1 or 7 the fastest attack/release? I think a few times I've heard Sean say 1 was but in the waves video talking about the CLA-76 they said 7 is the fastest.

[@johnbrown621]

7 is the fastest. It's reverse from most other compressor plugins.

[@LukeReelfs]

John Brown dope, thanks a ton!

[@Alejandro60835]

Still a fan yo hope ur doing good with the music u makin

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@deejaynerrotinted240]

Bro did u duplicate the lead as background volcal or u re record them

[@SeanDivine]

they are re-recorded as different takes

[@ProdMX-cr1fj]

Hey Sean, how come you decided to route your vocals to a Stereos bus instead of mono?

[@SeanDivine]

I use stereo effects on aux tracks often (delays, reverbs, spatial effects, etc.) so it's better to have the flexibility... and it doesn't hurt if you don't end up using any stereo effects anyway :)

[@warfarebeats]

😀😀😀