PSA: Please Stop Faking Live Vocals

[@HungryLights]

Oh, I forgot to mention this, but there is a video of me on Jared Dines' channel, where I am dressed in a maid costume and playing drums. The drums you are hearing are OBVIOUSLY not the drums I am playing in the video. I thought it was wicked apparent, so I never said anything. Plus... my whole contest entry was a joke, so I did not think it mattered. It seemed like common sense to me... There are no drum mics in the video, it is not an electronic kit, and there is zero recording device anywhere near the drum kit other than the camera. How would you be hearing the drums that crystal-clear if they were real XD? I was not trying to deceive anyone; I was just having some fun making a dumb video :P

[@ShadaOfAllThings]

I can't believe you just tease that you were playing drums in a maid costume and then not link to it

[@evanblake5252]

For just being a joke video, it was a very entertaining entry.

[@natoba4617]

anyone who thinks those were the actual sound of the drums, is actually just straight up dumb. lmao. plus you can hear the real sound of them when you throw the sticks up XD.

[@EthanDyTioco]

@@ShadaOfAllThings I got you fam (I just looked up jared dines hungry lights) kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5WpqXynbapnf7c

[@deductivereasoning4257]

I don't know about training wheels. Any mechanical assistance that is needed is to perform art is questionable. Does a painter need a mechanical device to make sure they apply the perfect amount of pressure they seek on each stroke? Should they allow an Ai machine to mix paints for unique color palates? Musicians are above painters in prestige, but this was when there were no mechanical assistances. I don't know anymore since painters are surely more original these days. Training wheels are training wheels and metronomes are surely training wheels. And as I look up the metronome, it's a French device made in 1696 - mankind has been playing music for a little longer than that. And well, I looked up classical composers that were French and no big names. That's what cheaters get; the true greats didn't need the metronome...

[@kimmyfreak200]

i remember laughing when i watched a slipknot show on YT cuz corey's voice cracked when it was time for the echo vocal...so it echoed the voice crack...it may be funny but at least he was actually singing... same with fair to midland when darroh killed his voice cuz he had been sick and they did shows 3 nights in a row until like 2 a.m.. in the moment he tried to improvise which was nice to see...i always appreciate the musical effort from performing even if its not the best...just being there is enough for me

[@HungryLights]

I would much rather hear musicians make mistakes than fake things. It makes the experience more memorable and special to everyone there!

[@3toinsanity]

link?

[@dantelan-i-er5466]

I'm pretty sure it's a 1999 or 2000 show and they were playing Me Inside. I haven't laughed that hard in awhile 😂

[@RaneMusic]

I love how you can make informative videos and rants like this so insanely funny xDDD

[@ToxicChaos115]

Shoutout to Justin for calling out the bs. No fake nattys, bbls or backing tracks are safe! Fr though he approached this in a very mature and understandable way while also yelling at us.

[@The0nlyy]

Tough love 🖤

[@mrsigmatic1967]

The live feed mic really shows just how great of a vocalist Justin really is. Even with all the imperfections, he sounded fantastic.

[@deathisonyourcards]

I always appreciate Stella's informative and entertaining insight, such talent - and Justin was okay too, I guess. Great video, as always.

[@MrJesushadAegis]

That vocalist coming in from the side killt me. Love you bro!

[@TheTheAndreiasantos]

The world needs more honest artists and people in general like you

[@CatherineBriseboisCatWoods]

If I wanted to ear the same thing done in studio, sounding all perfect, I'd stay home. The best thing about shows is to get the raw sound of the band! Totally agree that maybe a few backing tracks can make the song sound more complete and full, if you can't bring an orchestra or choir (good example you gave). But if everyone is ''faking'' playing the main instruments, it's a total rip off. I totally agree with you. Stella is awesome BTW.

[@Hatredkopter666]

Loving these PSA videos

[@CxpOnTube]

HILARIOUS TAKE ON THE MATTER AND ALL TRUE. As a bassist who've been touring with the band where the only thing that was not doubled in backtracks was my bass lines - it hits sooo hard. Justin, love the video

[@SillyKami_666]

Oh, man, Justin... You are just so awesome. I super appreciate you talking about this and just everything, definitely can't wait to see Tallah live 💚

[@andreabruciati275]

Thanks for speaking out, lying to fans is really an issue, especially for bands to come

[@SpaceDuck-fn9ss]

Rip the homie stella fr the way she looked away when you took the "blunt" from her and then was like "oh aight bro" when you handed it back😂

[@nohopeforthenate]

As a vocalist I laughed when it got to the vocal layering in slippery slop....and then the bassist after it hahaha my god (I also play bass) I can see a few bassists I know doing that

[@fknlmusic]

so grateful to have you man. bless the legend

[@micahdoig937]

Love this. As a fan and someone who is constantly practicing to be a better vocalist, honesty is a value I hold dear.

[@jasonpoland5507]

Holy crap dude. You’re articulate and well spoken. You’re the goat right now

[@angelz9841]

You gotta love that School of Rock reference with the dry ice!

[@owl23452]

That vocalist impression was so good. 14:57

[@UndyingRein]

The track you are performing during your examples is an absolute banger

[@DustyDoorKnobs]

What song is it?

[@UndyingRein]

@@DustyDoorKnobs it's Soot Locker from his project Call It Ego

[@AdamTheKluga]

"Yes" to everything. But I'll go a step further. "You sound just like the album" isn't even a compliment, IMO. I'm always a little bummed out seeing a band play to a laptop, even if all the members are still playing live. The show is completely "on rails", every night will be the same and it's basically like listening to the record in a hot, sweaty room. All the best shows I've ever been to are just the band doing their thing. Well rehearsed, super familiar with each other, in sync, having a good time and making every night unique for the fans who are present.

[@Pigmarine9000]

This was both A) Very informative, and B) A spiritual experience in more ways than one.

[@moth5799]

If people need harmony then they can multi-track their instrument or voice live, it won't sound as good as the studio version but it's more raw and that's the point. Hearing the little imperfections in the band is one of the things that makes seeing people live so fun.

[@workout3D]

When you talked about slippery slope with these examples of multi-layered growls and screams, i remember beloved by reactors "Picses" live by Jinjer. Everybody reacting to this clip were just stunned by very deep female growl, but nobody notices backing tracks, which make vocals sound so deep. You can clearly hear it at the end of the song. She is really good singer by the way, but still p. s. when you mentioned Clarissa Ross, you meant Melissa Cross? Her "screaming" is hilarious

[@Yeehaw0588]

Yeah I love jinjer, first metal band, but I can scream deeper than her and I am not even an adult yet, also I thought the layering was apparent in the clean vocals (nobody can sing back track and lead vocals at the same time) so who wasn't to say her harsh vocals weren't layered. I'm not saying she isn't badass and talented, but there are other female screamers that can go way deeper with zero layering

[@Eivesohn]

15:13 OH MY GOD THANK YOU, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY TIMES I'VE HEARD THIS THING ABOUT THE MILK AAAAHH

[@nickwilschut5356]

Nice man, I agree, I play in a 3 piece band, and we use live tracks for the orchestrations in our music. But we do have 1 song where we have an extra guitar effect playing in the chorus since I don't have 4 arms. So we play everything live and use the backing tracks as a filler for the stuff we can't physically do. So the tracks don't include vocals, bass, drums, rhythm guitar, and solos.

[@MrJimmypickles]

My bands drummer plays synth parts live, and we have songs that are very layered in recordings. A pal of mine came to our most recent show, and thought we were playing with a backing track until he noticed our drummer playing a synth part whilst playing the drum beat, he and so many others weren't 100% convinced we could pull it off live. My point being that, you don't NEED backing tracks, and if anything, they turn live performances clinical and lifeless.

[@JimsMusicDungeon]

The slippery slope was comedic gold... great video as usual :)

[@AndreiPascu]

these videos are a whole experience

[@michaelrigney9682]

30:00 if anyone wants to see the concert Justin's talking about. It's a little hard to find It's called A Killers Confession Mosh Pit @ The Odeon, Justin's song starts around the 1 hour 17 min mark.

[@twilightrobbery4840]

You can clearly hear that the backing track was echoing along with his voice and he wasn’t perfectly on time for the reasons he explained. I think even without the context of knowing it was backtracked it was pretty obvious. Great performance anyway and I loved his split jump 😂 props to Justin for being completely honest and vocal about it

[@Bizkitlove]

backing tracks @ live shows has been going on for along time,it's nothing new.great vid dude,Tallah is rockin.

[@noodlesthereugo9277]

Love the Mumkey Jones rant halfway thru. Great vid!

[@nibru786]

thank you justin especially comparing it to the fitness industry and on social media

[@ptbempire]

23:41 This is the exact reason why my one takes are not instrumentals and my covers are with the vocals taken out of it. If I am gonna do a cover I want it to sound like I did it if it's a produced cover. In contrast, one takes I don't care cuz it takes way too much time to remove vocals, produce, and sing so I don't bother to do it with one takes.

[@JWVLL]

Well said. 100% agree.

[@maria.rather.be.dreaming]

first of all thank you for the insights. as a fan you can just assume. second: I think it must be soul crushing to find out people you admire are faking it. if you are inspired and then find out it's not real you are heart broken in so many ways. I am continuously amazed by Justin's vocals (that is how I found this video) so I appreciate the efford he puts in always getting better ❤️

[@YeahTheDuckweed]

The fan: "How'd you pump out vocals like that live, man?!" The vocalist: 😷

[@excelfan85]

Also i am pretty sure that Justin is lip syncing during the entire video, not one bit of what we saw him appear to say was live. All pre recorded in the studio and then he lip synced the whole time, the head band he is wearing is to hide in-ears that are playing the click track. loved this video was so good, so true!!

[@jeffthekille7629]

when you live mic'd it i got chills was fire af

[@heatherwilliams6410]

The School Of Rock reference made me so happy! ❤

[@epikazn16]

My biggest fear tbh. The music I make, are not capable of playing live. I know for damn sure I would need back tracks and what not to give the listeners that listening experience if I had fans. Love your music bro. Saw you live at Aztec theater this year and this makes me feel more confident about not giving a fuck what other people think. It's the PERFORMANCE that matters

[@ElWray8]

OMG, I love all versions of Justin. I can't decide! lol

[@armbarre]

This is a super interesting video. I came up on DIY and lo-fi punk and it was a long time ago. So I feel like I have the opposite problem: I’m stressed out and embarrassed when stuff I record doesn’t sound live. The expectation that you’re going out to hear the record is wild.

[@aL3CnR]

didn't expect this to be this entertaining

[@ConnorElliot]

This video was a work of art

[@icarusbrune]

i went to see modest mouse live a few years ago. They had what seemed at the time close to 15 people to get the sound they had in studio. no movie magic required and as an artist and fan i really respect how they play live.

[@femorsp]

Hey, loved your explanation. I am definitely not in the music world professionally but found really interesting the explanation. I can really notice the differences!!! Thanks man.

[@justaspeedrunner]

As 1/2 of a (currently) studio only band/duo, if we ever play a show together we will be doing as much as possible live and leave as little as we can to backing tracks. I would rather take on more responsibility and work at a show to learn how to do vocals and guitar at the same time than just stay with my vocals and have even more of the experience of a live performance be left to a recording. It's part of the fun to play it live, I'd feel bored just doing vocals to a backing track while my band-mate plays one instrument. Especially at a smaller more personal gig, it'd be amazing to play just a few feet away from the crowd and see them enjoying what I'm putting my energy into.

[@lye_solution]

8:30 happened for my chemical romance at milton keynes because they let the crowd set the tempo.

[@maaax2105]

"16:10 ronnie radke" OH YES IM SO HERE FOR THIS

[@richjennings63]

I used to play in a local band that was all about using synths in the music. Don’t get me wrong I love the artistic freedom of using synths, but I had run into a problem. Depending on where we’re playing or if the click track doesn’t work for whatever reason, we wouldn’t be able to achieve the sound we wanted. Which is why on my recent musical endeavors I’ve been doing my best to create songs that can be played by the whole band without depending on excess technology.

[@ritoarsall24]

You're one of the best vocalist on youtube and i'm a fan since 2015 and when you joined with the team of Austin and formed graystone with nik i say in my mind that would be making a f*king awesome deathcore track with my 2 favourite vocalist of youtube (sorry for my english thats not my mother languaje)

[@Unwedged]

I have many things that i enjoyed about this video, but to keep it short and simple, bless you too justin, thank you for making this one and sharing all those thoughts!! I am interested in vocal safety and i might want to learn more about singing, who knows...in the future i might hit you up for lessons and knowledge!

[@iamlamprey]

shoutout to mewzxn keeping it manual 😘

[@AGMLIST]

12:55 I gotta know what that cats pondering about

[@pyroboy417]

Justin is the Rich Piana of metal vocals

[@anseljames5531]

I like that you know mic technique I saw that when you were going for particularly loud and protected screams that you backed off a little. I like the usefulness of click/backing when not overused but I am a fan of bands like Tallah (for sure) and 99% sure that starset doesn't use backing tracks as they hired enough people (synth, violen, chello) so it seems like there stuff isn't back tracked and I appreciate that experience because it makes it different from others who do. As someone looking to do live vocals I'll probably have a backing track low on the mix But if I feel like I can do it without a backing track I will. That also depends on a ton of theoreticals. I will never however abuse backtracks just use them while needed.

[@mOnStErMACEO]

Look Justin…. We know you’re a freaking unicorn!!!! But a really gifted and talented unicorn!!!! And what you do and what Tallah does is just face melting!!! Keep it real spit that truth as always!!! Tallah for ever!!!!!!!!

[@cenobytecode]

Flashbacks to Demanufacture 20th anniversary tour. Burton missed his timing mark and he was "singing" while drinking a water....Dino tried, quite obviously, to cover it up but it was too late. It was still a good time, but wasn't at all surprised when Burton was out...now I'm sure there are other backing tracks on that tour too, but it was sad.

[@spookshow6999]

Cherish your time with your cat. I just lost mine unexpectedly. He was the love of my life.

[@Trainzstation]

you play in Bend Oregon maybe last year or so ?

[@iGhostx0123]

I know I'm probably the only one. So I acknowledge that. But I would LOVE to see a live rendition of your Kled verse from This is War 8. I also know there's probably rules against it, which is why literally nobody has ever done it. Love you Justin!

[@josephprince3111]

Beautiful

[@michaelrigney9682]

Backing tracks are relatively cool with me, (within reason, like lip syncing probably wouldn't be cool etc.) as long as the artist is relatively open about the fact that they're using them. Like I love Devin Townsend to death but his live shows, at least as of 2020 when I saw him in Dallas, are SUPER processed. But it's still mostly his vocals and it's still his and his band playing what you're hearing through the speakers, so it's still in thumbs up territory 👍. I thankfully haven't had any experience with your really bad offenders. But who knows. On the other side I did see Asking Alexandria live at a festival a couple years ago and maybe Danny should have lip synced lol he wasn't singing too bright that day.

[@BONE9646]

Justin, will Tallah do a tour in Sweden?

[@stoopit123]

School of rock reference is approved I love that movie

[@The0nlyy]

When it got to the bass player I lost it and immediately knew where this story was going 😂

[@JaellesDrums]

oh god not melissa cross😭 i will never understand how the hell she got popular as a screaming teacher while SHE CANT EVEN SCREAM HERSELF

[@ND-iz6dd]

4:50 whats the song.

[@Ignition_Spark]

But seriously what’s the song?!

[@Ignition_Spark]

It’s Soot-Locker by Call It Ego and the part he sings here is 3 minutes in. Justin I’m gonna kiss you on the lips if you keep being this skilled.

[@Superlativofilms]

05:01 that tune is dope, what is that song's name? (Sorry, my english sucks)

[@cRoW_Dman2002]

Can we just acknowledge the fact that one of the chapters is literally called "fake butts"?

[@chepbcreate]

Came for the opinion, stayed for the cat

[@cheby470]

Loved the School of Rock reference

[@retrohipster1060]

For me backing tracks are okay when the studio version has so many vocal layers that the track would sound empty, but I'm going to be really really sad if those amazing live vocals I heard were just some prerecorded take.

[@Laporch]

That Fake Butts and Social Media section were both hilarious and VERY true. The average person has no idea that MOST Instagram fitness influencers (both men and women) are using some form of PED. They just try to say they got that physique naturally and with just some BS supplement they try to peddle to the masses. Edited to say: also most famous actors. The Rock, Marvel actors, etc etc etc.

[@ecogrief9936]

It‘s so sad seeing the majority of people believing this juiced up bastards telling them they can get so big naturally =( And selling empty suplements for a lot of money

[@joshuafrato]

Hit the fucking nail on the head with all your points.

[@thebanner28]

I'd like lessons from you you're one of my favorites

[@MiloDRough]

People are geting it more and more... That's why i farsee Tallah, gonna be the biggest metal force in about 2 years from now... 🤘

[@Nathan-p7s6z]

New subscriber here sending everyone a big hello from Massachusetts !

[@delightmaremusic1226]

What if we put the studio track in the in ears and then the live instruments in the in ears AND in the PA for the audience to hear that way we can mimic the studio version and sound better through that

[@spookshow6999]

I get some of your points.

[@kai6424]

I honestly don’t mind what style they go with as long as it sounds good and it’s not completely lip singing. I mean they wrote the song that amassed the fans. More than any fan can do. If you love the music you love the music. Layering vocals and instruments are awesome once again as long as everyone is actually playing something.

[@Jinx504]

This was insightful and funny thank you

[@frodokhunt]

It hurt so bad seeing my fav band live and he does a filthy af growl and i was in awe , until he stopped and the track continued and there was no change in sound or level 😪

[@HungryLights]

Yeah, I would estimate like 90% of bands are doing this now. It has become the industry standard, and it is really sad.

[@mOnStErMACEO]

Justin Bonitz with live background tracks is a cheat code!!!! Lmaooooo

[@akamurashiki3816]

15:33 that moment just killed me LMAO

[@hermit_lofi8641]

9:57 Love the reference

[@TheTheAndreiasantos]

"do we though?" 😂😂😂

[@danielprice2743]

Of course I made it to the end. Glad you broke out the cake. Lol

[@Mattseak]

9:50 I understood that reference ^^

[@excelfan85]

Hey Justin this reminds me of the Jared Dines comment on Rings of Saturn after a video from a fan recorded the guitar backing track while they were playing live and the comments. As a metal fan i prided myself on the fact that my music wasnt fake. Nowadays $$$ > Integrity.

[@minedude33]

You should always strive to be yourself and or be better than someone. You can never sound like someone 100% or be someone.

[@VicRattl3h3ad]

I'm a bassist and this truth hurts my ego

[@exiledinthepathofexile]

“That’s probably what’s going to happen: some brilliant kid will come along and be popular. I can see a lone artist with a lot of tapes and electrical … like an extension of the Moog synthesizer - a keyboard with the complexity and richness of a whole orchestra, y’know? There’s somebody out there, working in a basement, just inventing a whole new musical form.” Jim Morrison

[@Hipno702]

I’ve been playing guitar for almost 18 years now. I’ve also been through a shit ton of physical trauma in those same 18 years. I get carpal tunnel episodes frequently and I’m pretty sure I have arthritis in my wrists. I was recording a guitar part for a cover and in the bridge there’s a down picking section that I just could not keep up to speed no matter how hard I tried and after hours of failed sessions I finally just said fuck it and played the section at like 75% speed and sped up the tempo. Not because I wanted to bullshit and act like I’m better than I actually am. Because I know my limitations but I’m also not going to put out something that sounds like shit because I couldn’t play a 30 second section of a song. If I ever was to release that cover, I will not hesitate to disclose that info. But at the same time I’m never going to be on a stage performing live and I probably won’t ever make a career out of music but I still just wanna have a fun time doing the things I enjoy whether or not my body allows me to do everything 100% organically is irrelevant There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you can’t do what everyone else can. Not everyone is going to be a fucking god in the music world whether you’re touring or just posting covers to social media. But I 100% agree that people should stop lying to their fans with this shit. I appreciate the nuance that you applied to this discussion because the discourse surrounding this topic is usually so one sided And Stella had some very poignant additions to the conversation

[@Androssverse]

YEEEES👏🏾👏🏾

[@ZikyMusic]

About your point where you say you have to be skeptical as a fan when going to a concert, I'd say that when you know the band by heart you just know if it's real or not, like if the singer has aged and they do stuff like ad-libs they're gonna sound different, the guitar tones are gonna be different because their gear has changed, or you're gonna be attentive enough to notice a mistake etc. But if you don't know the band that well/aren't an absolute nerd about music, yeah… You can be easily fooled over how loud live music is

[@Lymothafukinjiji]

Falling in Reverse did not like this video

[@jamdungvybz]

Why?

[@ToddMurphyAU]

@@jamdungvybz our guy probably didn't watch the video lol

[@williamhall3043]

Ronnie just cancelled shows needing ‘vocal rest’ 😂

[@spookshow6999]

He definitely didn't watch the video.

[@catharinaventer1232]

Oh no 🤭 Ronnie is going to lose his shit on Justin if he sees this.

[@redheadredemption2]

Backing tracks, the use thereof, and the dishonesty surrounding them, is like the music scene's version of fitness scene's natty or nah

[@redheadredemption2]

bro I legit posted this halfway through the video and when you started talking about it, I was like aw man he beat me to it