How To Record That Foo Fighters (Dave Grohl) Vocal Sound - RecordingRevolution.com

[@JackCarverMusic]

I love doing this to beef up chorus sections. I've found sometimes it's really nice to just use the double take for the reverb send and keep the main take dry. I got the idea from Warren Huart using snare samples for his reverb sends to avoid the real snare mic's spill getting into the verb send. You can get away with a few double take layers this way and use one to trigger a short delay and one for a reverb. This is particularly nice when the main vocal take is pitch corrected, you can leave the doubles as they were performed and get a nice polished but natural sound by blending them all.

[@AARONKAYE]

the key to making badass doubles is BEING ABLE TO RECORD BADASS DOUBLES. your timing, tone and pronunciation has to be damn near perfect.

[@rockyourworld5374]

No it does not. Sadly! I am joe shit average and i can do it. If the neural pathway in your brain is formed for the song. Your brain just spits it like a cd. It is shockin how machine like it is.

[@catsjacinto]

The tripe doubling, with the doubles panned left and right sounds so much cooler than just the two tracks. Thank you for this video!

[@TheHeavyJetsBand]

Double/triple tracking vocals is life! Do it all the time

[@stormshadow2k]

I started out knowing NOTHING, zero, about mixing. Then I started following Graham. Now, in this video, for the very first time he is showing a trick that I've used for years allready. Makes me feel like I've actually got somewhere. I am currently working on two albums for two separate clients, and I'm building a 40 square meter studio. And again, its ALL thanks to Sir Graham Cochrane. I am living proof that how ever bad you are at this when you start, as long as you stick with it and love what you do for your own sake, results will come. Peace from Norway.

[@recordingrevolution]

Love it

[@JohnRahzel]

"Weezer-Hit04" Thats my favorite sample name ever

[@recordingrevolution]

☺️

[@jeremytodd77]

I do the doubling effect in my choruses always and sometimes in my verses but I didn't think about the tripling or even hard panning the 2 takes L/R - definitely excited to put these tips to use in my music. BTW great song Graham. You've got a killer voice man!

[@MirzaAnshari]

Yesterday I was experimenting this triple vocal by myself, and I thought, wow it sounds so great ! Why didn't I ever see a video about this in recordingrevolution, and now he uploaded this !

[@liamsmith6644]

ive been using the double since I was 19. I'm 30 now and I have never tried the triple. I only stumbled on your channel a few months ago and I realised how many of my own mistakes I have been practicing! I would recommend this channel 100% to anybody!

[@zachrowe3017]

I LOVE THIS!!! i have done this for years, kurt cobain, john lennon , as well as dave have all used this amazing effect

[@3x7project]

*I'm falling in love with that tele :)*

[@PlasticYabby]

Sorta catches the eye...(sorry Graham)

[@RobImagines]

Same

[@BeatsAndMeats]

If you have a vocalist recording for you at a different location... Always always always get a triple of every vocal line, every backup, and every harmony, so you can alternate between when you need to.

[@deltavistastudio124]

right on, sometimes you can use an edited version of another take as your double, or triple later; even if that wasn't the original intent

[@ccandrew111]

Yes, I believe this is called comping. Great solution for patching up any small mistakes

[@rome8180]

Personally, I do around 10 takes of each line. Modern DAWs make picking and choosing the best phrases really easy. In Logic, for example, it stores all the takes on a single track in a comp folder. Then you can just swipe to highlight a section you want to use, and it does automatic crossfades.

[@QuincyKane]

I'll use the triple effect on a chorus, but I've just never cared for the way my voice sounds doubled. However, sometimes I'll sing a double that's an octave lower, and I usually double harmonies and pan them left and right.

[@IdovShai]

I use it all the time, it give more powerful performance. Usually I add chorus (fx) in the chorus and the result is amazing

[@jeffroberts_tunes]

Probably one of the best short pieces of info that will change many DIY recordings. Yes and almost exactly like you demo'd here. Lining up consonants, cutting/moving/or attentuating sibilants, plosives, etc that don't line up. and lately this: Triple with +20 LEFT -6dB Center at 0 (main) +20 RIGHT -6dB

[@jeffroberts_tunes]

3 doubled tracks, ok...tripled, there's a main one dead center at full volume, the other two at about 60% volume panned at 10 and 2 o' clock. Like in the video --this way you get the full sound but it's subtle and not an obvious double, but the full volume double is also an option--just depends on the sound you like. Then harmony vocals maybe just a tad wider soundcloud.com/jeff_roberts/jeff-roberts-what-you-do

[@bbbrianwilliams]

def use this. enhances the vocals 100%. was also the trick that made all the beatles songs sound amazing

[@tisbonus]

Excellent technique and singing! Still use this myself. Like the song too. Reminds me of "Say it ain't so" a little bit.

[@JeremiahFernandez]

Tisbonus fuck yes I love that song

[@zachbaker1385]

Exactly what I thought 👍

[@jasondavis839]

I've been writing and recording for years and I was never able to get a decent sounding vocal track...hence most of my songs are instrumental only, with a huge folder of lyrics waiting for...something. THIS is what I have been waiting for! Foo Fighters are not only one of my favorite bands, his vocal effects are what makes his sound unique, and now I finally know how he does it. Thanks SO much for putting this video out...I'm stoked to record vocals, where I've always avoided it in the past.

[@Muuney]

Yep, I use the double vocal when I'm recording my own band and other vocalists too. Ever since I found out about Butch Vig doing it on Nevermind! :)

[@rskityaev]

I was so used to hard-pan rhythm guitars. but when i saw that on vocals... That blew me away for a second :)

[@Necromanos]

I recorded a 4 part vocal which was the main, doubled, a higher harmony, and a whispered part and it sounded great.

[@arjun2211i]

Holy shit, I've been searching EXACTLY for this for the last few days. My search keywords were 'Dave Grohl Vocal Mix Technique'. Thank you so much!

[@wlflightlr]

Yes, I use this technique quite a bit. I am a huge Beatles fan & they did a lot of double tracking of vocals..very cool effect. I have read where John Lennon said he didn't like to double track his vocal parts because he couldn't get it exactly the same as the 1st take & If you listen to early Beatles some of the vocal's were off a little but it didn't matter, it still sounded fantastic! Graham, thanks so much for your awesome videos & courses!

[@rome8180]

It was actually the opposite. Lennon hated his voice, so he always wanted it doubled. He didn't like the sound when it was just a single vocal.

[@gisellechacon7081]

Worth pointing out- and Graham you have emphasized this all along- is your exceptional vocal performance. Both tracks are production quality at the mic- solid, well-supported, in tune, intelligible, and phrased exactly alike. That is being prepared. Great technique, I use it all the time. I also meld it with the delay trick you taught me- tuck the second part under the lead, -7dB and use some low pass filtering to hide it in the mix. Great way to pop a lead vocal you don't want to sound doubled.

[@terrelldunn3973]

I’m new to recording and mixing vocals. I’ve had some experience with drums, guitar and bass but not vocals. I’ve noticed this doubling effect and when I went to actually do it, funny thing is I did it exactly the way you did with one track centered and one hard panned right and one left. Thought that was the coolest sounding. I was doing a Helmet cover of ‘Easy to Get Bored’ and he used a lot of vocal doubling. Great video.

[@lfox02]

Duuuuude those are so on point they sound like there's a chorus on it. Incredible!

[@Anchor-Tractor-Man]

You are a great resource for DAW help. I'm old school analog guy, just getting my feet wet in digital within last year. I do a lot of doubling or tripling and pan hard right+left pushed back with middle track out front. U da man Graham!!

[@Dan-sn4dd]

I tend to use one track on verses and two on choruses but I definitely want to try 3 on the next chorus that I write. Thanks again Graham for a great and informative video.

[@gavinberry3814]

First step of grunge rock: awesome vocalist who says “yeah” and “hey” frequently

[@dehartmusic6728]

I've been using triple vocals for a while. I actually add a bit of reverb to the two spare panned tracks to push them further back in the mix. However, it could make the song more muddy if done poorly.

[@bloodsweattones]

I've followed you for several years Graham and you have really helped me focus on the things I did miss in my production arsenal. This is by far the best song you've made to this day! Well done! As an answer to your question, I always double. You get that nice chorus vibe when you get it right but I always try to get it in the take, not with editing.

[@LegitMusic]

Everytime I try to vocal stack it sounds like shit. I definitely needed this video

[@thelolguy007]

LegitMusic it’s an art in itself. I found a serious appreciation for it whilst doing my album last year.

[@OlliGarch]

It’s like painting a picture just with sound and rhythm. Recording can be frustrating but when you finish a song and it works is one of the best feelings even when I know not many people are gonna hear it. I just do it for myself anyway. Plus what I do most wouldn’t get anyway.

[@BenHelmsCreative]

Great vid! I usually triple track, and use L and R tracks as the lower, effected tracks, and the middle track as the main, strongest track. Works well in country, softer rock stuff.

[@joeyvpoisonfree]

I’ve been doing this since almost day one, because I love Foo Fighters and I love Deftones

[@paulstefanowicz3669]

Yes, I use it. I probably use the Triple more than a straight double and often, I will HP and compress the outside tracks a little more aggressively than the main vocal.

[@matdube3577]

Nice! I’ve seen Devin Townsend using this technique even on his guitar tracks. Will definitely try that. Thanks for sharing 😃

[@ccandrew111]

Mat , dev is an absolute genius when it comes to music. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s used every trick in the book over the years

[@TheVigilantStewards]

Wow, great track Graham. Best I've ever heard from you. Love that drum sound

[@recordingrevolution]

Thanks - it’s a collab with my bud ill Factor

[@TheVigilantStewards]

Nice, I want to buy it when it's done

[@eddiecrane6214]

Yes I do use this. I produce my two children's band Second 2 None. It depends on the song. My kids band went viral on Facebook with 20.5 million views covering Teen Spirit. We recorded it on their album. I triple tracked the lead singer. Exactly in the same manner you used it. When I watched this it validated some of my production decisions, which is nice.

[@resington]

I always use it. Usually double and then higher octave take double lower in the mix. All panned to taste. Great stuff Graham!

[@ricc333]

I use this every now and then for my own vocals; it really depends on if the song lends itself to that effect. As far as recording other people, this trick is really good if you have a singer with a thinner sounding voice. It gives some density so they can hold up in the mix.

[@rodrigoavga]

I have used the vocal doubling in my songs, it's quite effective using it to emphasize the strongest words in a verse, or to make the second verse a bit thicker so it's not the same intensity as the first. Classic trick!

[@dpelley]

Thanks Graham, I have been trying to incorporate the Foo Fighters vocal sound into my recordings, your timing is impeccable! As always your videos have been a big part of my songwriting and recording education.

[@papa_da_engineer]

Thank you Graham 🙏🙌 I record doubles all the time, but never thought about moving the consonants I will be trying this next time 🎶🎶🔥🔥👍👍

[@johnmcchavs]

I came here because I was searching for the Foo Fighters effect! So super cool. If I ever record my voice, I'm pretty sure I'll be tempted 😉

[@markwiscombe313]

I've needed this video for ages.... and you've uploaded it on my birthday! bless you Graham!

[@recordingrevolution]

☺️

[@repfabrika]

Congrats on 400K Graham, keep up with your great work!

[@recordingrevolution]

Thanks!

[@TheAussieStigX]

Just finished a first take on a FooFighters cover. This answered everything I was looking for. Thanks mate. Great video.

[@CrystalDennisMusic]

Great tip! I always do this, but I do a lot of choral and folk music so since my instrumentation is more simplistic I use vocals to add character and dynamics - I'm more of a vocalist too, so I play to my strengths XD I tend to do the triple method always if I'm going to plan to layer, and if I want to hard pan or set up a staircase of sorts for thickness, I get to about six or eight layers. Nice to see your process, as always.

[@maxmileski1248]

I double my vocals with 2 performances then usually add a 'doubler' fx to the double. One of my faves is the UAD mxr doubler or the eventide h910. I'll set the fx 100% wet & wide then blend the wide, effected vocal track into the single, center main vocal to taste. I spend a ton of time making sure the two recorded performances are tight then often do even more in editing to lock the performances up. Good video! www.Sadkinsound.com for examples of my doubled vocal sound. Peace

[@Abelmusic]

I love using this technique I learned it from one of your old videos and it one of my favorite vocal recording techniques. I use it all the time.

[@dream.cast.studios]

I use this technique a lot in my vocal recordings.... LOVE THE FEEL!!

[@astiachi]

HEY! WAIT! i've got a new complain!

[@jesse_cole]

Hahaha, _finally_ someone else noticed it.

[@senorpigeon9564]

*FOREVER IN DEBT TO YOUR PRICELESS ADVICE*

[@Terbie36]

@@jesse_cole Realized it on day 1, minute 1..

[@zip7806]

This Guy is a Poser.

[@godswarrior298]

I'm one of those people that have been trying to do this without the second take, or rerecording the main vocal. I normally take a copy of the main vocal, and add elastic audio to get the same sound, but just doing a second take, or rerecording the main vocal is better from what I've heard and seen. So yes, I will try this again on my next Track. I have tried what you did in times past, but was unsuccessful. This video makes me want to try it again. I was even thinking that maybe people are putting flangers or phasers on the track to give it this sound. But I see now.

[@deltavistastudio124]

If you didn't record a 2nd take originally, you may still be able to take a different chorus vocal from the song, tighten it up, and use it as the double in another chorus, :)

[@godswarrior298]

Right,Instead of doing a second recording,I would make a copy or duplicate ajust it with elastic audio to give it that double sound.But Just Recording a second recording does sound better.

[@MangoOverload91]

This song is killer, Graham

[@L.A.W.Studios]

Great demonstration of this extremely useful technique, including the extra editing...bravo!

[@RadioBluesPR]

Yup! Used it on an ep I did back in 2015.

[@joshuamathermusic]

You're such a talented and solid performer. I'm sure your skills behind the scenes overshadow your singing/playing sometimes because of how immensely helpful they are to me and everyone else here, but I really hope you get the credit you deserve for your voice and your playing!!

[@bradlongmusic]

Excellent, Graham! Just started doing this actually. Super helpful to see the "how to"!

[@KykashiMusic]

Love doing this in my vocal recording. Thanks for suggesting some more ideas! You’re the best Graham :)

[@adamsj2007]

Yes, I use this doubling and tripling technique in my own recordings, and on instruments and vocals. I enjoyed this video Graham, thank you.

[@MikeFoerster]

Good video, I did this on a lot of my songs. I used to do it with my 4 track recordings.

[@onedaydreamerband]

Thanks for this. On a few tracks on our record, I kept a melody double up the middle and we did harmony doubles wide left and right. It's a cool sound.

[@FTGU1]

You're good dude 👌🏻 Update: yes me and my brother do this all the time

[@NickManuel]

Going to try this on my next recording. Great stuff and very helpful Graham!

[@dougmann66]

MAJORKOOL !!!!!! I USED THAT ON MY OLD ZOOM PS2 PALM STUDIO .. HAD NO IDEA JUST INSTINCT.....

[@KaitavSapreMusic]

Awesome tutorial! Once you hear this doubled vocal effect sound, it is difficult to go back. By the way, great song!

[@e.g.systems6146]

"Slide the continents"? Wow, you really are a powerful man :O) Great video, very useful, especially when showing how to clean up the 2nd take in reference to the first, or master take, as those little inconsistencies show up even more when you use delay.

[@TimLuxter]

Jamming out to this tune! Would be cool to hear this track in that gang vocal style

[@AldyWaani]

it was originally Butch Vig’s idea since Smells Like Teen Spirits on Cobain’s vocals. Since cobain died, butch vig helped foo fighters until today.

[@Vitaconfide]

The Beatles did it, and that's what convinced Cobain to use technique.

[@AudioReplica2023]

who created the technique was Les Paul and is called Automatic double tracking (ADT) The difference here is that Graham is doing it piece by piece (MDT) instead of all at once. But is the same concept.

[@AldyWaani]

i’m talking in the context of dave and his root. Beatles and Les Paul indeed use the same techniques back in the days. Nowadays, everything can be done in post, Waves ADT, Doubler, etc can do the work, specially if the vocalist are to ‘lazy’ to do double takes.

[@hadleymanmusic]

Aldy Waani yea labamba take 30

[@thewalrus1968]

a caveman called Ug invented it in 20, 000 b.c when he recorded the smash hit "Ug Grunt Burrhh"

[@daveprimmett7429]

I use the double but am going to experiment with the triple now. Thanks, great tips as always

[@ultrafunk100]

Thank you. I have stacked vocals a few times but don't get it as tight as you did. Gonna keep trying and maybe do the editing the way you did it. Thanks again!!!!!

[@joshnealmusic7782]

Thank you for the great info I have been using this trick for my first attempt at recording just playing around with it. It is hard to nail the end of phrases for a newbie but I really like the effect so far.

[@sunnydaytoad]

I've always loved this technique! Great tips here, can't wait to try them out and refine a little bit. Really digging this song here too, awesome!

[@Dawisch]

I double almost everything I record! Good video! Focusing on lining up the consonants is something I had not thought of.

[@JuanCastroOficial]

That's right. I used in every single song That's I record. I LOVE THIS TECHNIC

[@lg.anchieta]

Amazing video brow! I'm using this technique on my band !! ROCK ON!

[@cyrusfontaine2598]

I have an EP planned soon that I definitely want to try more of this on!

[@dexteritybox]

Nice to see someone else still using the triple.

[@adriaandorresteijn1694]

Thanks, Graham! I occasionally double the lead in a chorus but I'm not going as far as you did here. I have a hearing impairment prohibiting to hear stereo, so I leave that to my producer. It's nice to know the tricks you explained nevertheless. I'll discuss it with my producer.

[@ceedee874]

I use this technique sometimes. An other panning trick I use is a very little panning the main vocal track to one side and - simmetrically - the double track to the other side. Makes vocal sounding fat.

[@alecunkel1613]

you are making it look much easier to recreate a performance than it actually is! well done

[@elwoodroadsmusic9639]

I use triple vocal recording regularly in my tracks. Its a great trick.

[@aaronsmith2611]

When using this technique, do you ever add effects, eq, compression, etc. differently, or do you just bus it to a single effects track and treat them all the same?

[@haaardcoooreee]

I want to know the same

[@bradylasserre9320]

@@haaardcoooreee Late reply, but it's really up to you. I like to eq the takes ever so slightly so the frequencies don't stack too much. Compression should be applied as needed.

[@bradleyodwyer3512]

EQ depends on the gear im using but usually I would always use a low pass filter set at about 1k

[@TarzanHedgepeth]

Yup. I’m gonna use it, Graham. Thank you, sir. You probably won’t see this because you’re busy elsewhere… but still. God bless.

[@larzy5249]

Love the intro of this song particularly! Great vid awesome content and channel!

[@scottnanni7629]

Thanks Graham -always great tips on the Vox - especially when your dealing with a vocalist that tend to be a bit thin-soft sonically-BTW your vocal chops are sounding excellent and the tune is catchy and has lyrical depth-thanks for your contribution to better music -Scott

[@recordingrevolution]

Thanks Scott

[@bushibayushi]

Badass tune! Love it.

[@BigAlRocks]

I'm planning on giving this technique a try.

[@TheBawss90]

Discovered it randomly by messing around with vocals for a thicker sound! It's good in a lot of rock that I produce and works great 👍🏻

[@thesullivanstreetproject]

I just recently wrote and recorded my first song, and I used doubling on parts. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out overall, amateur though I am. Thanks for the great content!

[@haveguitar]

Kinda applies to guitar tracks as well, allways fun and interesting to dubb a number of guitars and then play around with pan different ways. Great video, thanks!

[@jakubfranczak1399]

Really good song!! The idea of using that vocal effect is spot on because it reminds me of "the sky is a neighborhood" a little bit :D

[@christianpaeznegron]

you should also do a guide on using octave harmonies on vocals

[@stefankessels]

I will be using doubled vocals, sometimes to enhance the song structure (choruses doubled) or just because the song itself calls for it. Octave 'doubled' is also an option I really like. For lead vocals I use a Neumann mic and for the left and right doubled vocals I use an old Shure 'model 51' mic - perfect blend that makes the 'extra' voices sound less like ''me'' compared to the Neumann..

[@rickylpollock]

The late Kenny Hinson always used this effect. Love it

[@chainstrikers]

I just would like to say that this song is 🔥

[@Booskop.]

This song is sooooooo good. WOW And when you did that triple technique double WOW

[@SdarotMaoreli1]

Wow this song you've recorded is so awesome! Where can I listen it?

[@dinhobarral]

Nice one, mate! I’m gonna start messing around with that today! 👊🏼

[@SakarSubedi]

I do this all the time !! Learned it from one of the coursera course. Can you do a video on how you mixed this same vocals ? Especially the reverbs and delays !