Mixing Rap Vocals with Waves Plugins (Part 2)

Part 2 in the Mixing with Waves Plugins series, mixing a rap verse start to finish! In this tutorial, we'll setup reverb and delay aux tracks, blend our overdubs, apply pitch correction and process ad-libs with fun effects.
Song: • Sean Divine - L8ly (Of...
Edit: When adjusting the speed / transition on Waves Tune, the notes must be selected, otherwise they will remain on the default setting :)
Plugins Used 🔌:
Waves Gold Bundle: waves.alzt.net/xm3dd
Waves StudioRack: waves.alzt.net/eQM7D
Mixing Rap Vocals with Waves Plugins (Part 1):
• Mixing Rap Vocals with...
🎛 Mixing Presets & DAW Templates
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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
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The Niche Kit (Creative Drum and Loop Kit): bit.ly/nichekit
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[@mistrbravado]

That "You ain't nothing..." Crazy Chick ad-lib pitched up was a neat little trick. It's funny but also, it's a nice little insert I would have left and tucked in just so I could laugh at it later. It be the little things that we leave in that bring us joy in laughter when listening to it down the line lol

[@cjkiley3914]

Your tutorials have been incredible as always. I always come back to reference things from your channel and learn new techniques. The song is absolutely fire. I really like your lyrics also, they speak volumes. Thank You Sean

[@SeanDivine]

my pleasure, glad to hear that! 🙏

[@michaelheinsen5292]

Sean-That beat slaps! Killer vox quality and performance, too. Another great video filled with so much valuable knowledge. Thanks again for such great quality content and for helping us all out! Keep grinding, Sean

[@SeanDivine]

Michael Heinsen sure thing, thank you Michael!

[@markvilla4654]

Thank you so much for these vids bro! Truly helpful, you're walking us through all the parts so greatly, it's really nice & easy to follow for me. And you're so talented! Absolutely loving the beat & the bars!

[@SeanDivine]

🙏 glad to hear that Mark! thanks bro

[@addyaceofficial]

Amazing as always!

[@AndreJetson]

LOVING THE VIBE OF THE TRACK.. THANK YOU FOR THE KNOWLEDGE... YOU ARE SO TALENTED AS WELL

[@SeanDivine]

thank you Andre!

[@flipsergio2985]

Another great tutorial keep them coming, I’m learning lots of great stuff. Thank you 🙏

[@SeanDivine]

glad to hear it!

[@jmthemelomane1470]

Always dope content! I dunno what I would do without your contents! U're a gift for artists that are self-taught. Very simple and straight to the point! Props

[@SeanDivine]

🙏🙌

[@LuffyAkAMaDGuY]

YOU ARE A GAWD BRO!!! So many plugins I've slept on!!

[@SeanDivine]

:)

[@qingbusiness6713]

Bless you man 🙏💪🏽👌🏽

[@bvbonthekeys]

Very helpful videos bro, thank you for all you do!!

[@thatboychub9963]

I just finshed watching ya tutorials on waves.com...Thanks again bro

[@MikeHeebz]

Dope video. Thanks for sharing! Peace+Love

[@AG_TheReal]

This is dope like how you ultra pitched shifted for the young lady adlib, I learned something new! "You ain't nothing" crazy chick, I was thinking maybe a quick ping pong from after the left pan to right and delay it right. " nothing nothing nothinggggg"...etc give it that "thinking effect" just something I thought of overall lol, I'm feeing this...made it seems so easy..Good Stuff Divine!

[@SeanDivine]

good idea, thanks G!

[@giulioboobzilla]

Nize Work Dude!

[@shawnmelody8346]

I'm actually in the middle of mixing my vocals for my new song. This video gave me some great ideas to try. Thanks! Great video!

[@SeanDivine]

🙌👍

[@BERIDOX]

Great job bro. I'm digging your videos!

[@SeanDivine]

thanks!

[@Spade427]

Man u are a low key god! Thanks

[@VinnyMickeyRickeyDickeyEddy]

This is great thanks

[@KalltuniClassics]

dope stuff!

[@marcellinbetsi7491]

Very cool !

[@yiqwaba3833]

I like the mix on the end i thought you we're going to add an effect but it was fire nice flow.

[@akshyaacharya]

BTW its an awesome video.. Great explanations.

[@BMR597]

🙏🏽 Sensei

[@onewholeentertainment8536]

Youz a blessin Sean!

[@onewholeentertainment8536]

You gifted to do this bro, that's the difference.

[@SeanDivine]

Glad it’s helping bro 🙏

[@ekclay7]

Yes Sirrrr

[@sherondayoung7125]

Love the channel. Lot of nuggets. Im very curious on your approach with mixing beats or instruments. Especially the kick, sub, bass relationship.

[@SeanDivine]

hey Sheronda, glad the videos are helping. Many beat mixing videos on the channel! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJKcnp-emMl7q6s

[@dopesnare]

I love your lyrics..Great tutorial bro!!!

[@SeanDivine]

thanks bro!

[@DJSidhu24]

Wow 🔥 bro...

[@enriqueG8]

These were great tips! Appreciate it!

[@SeanDivine]

You bet!

[@urealiknow6060]

awesome, thank u!

[@geniusmusic2044]

Tu siempre dando lo mejor de ti ..te amo ahahaha

[@SeanDivine]

de nada :)

[@beatkultr]

FIRE!!!

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@lens8933]

thanks ! amazing tips

[@SeanDivine]

sure thing :)

[@deeciprodinc]

Hey Sean, great job once again. You kinda sound like M Shinoda on this one. Peace from France ✌🏻️

[@YTff2497]

YOUR CHANNEL IS UNDERRATED

[@SeanDivine]

thanks

[@Sebastian-wd9fp]

Master!!!

[@SeanDivine]

🙌🙏

[@kingyata8910]

Like your videos bro love the message in the dong

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@outandbadmusic]

you are sooo dope man

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@zaireterry4345]

you'r the goat

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Zaire

[@dsun95]

great tutorial, we need a rap chorus one next!

[@momoflows1923]

what is this song called and where can i access it!!!!!!!

[@SeanDivine]

MomoFlow S coming soon :)

[@uptobatentertainment]

That crazy chick part was 💪 @wavesaudio need to cut the check lol Antares has some plugs that can do this as well as izotope.

[@no-yj2cf]

For anyone wanting to get the "Crazy Chick" effect for free, 'Kerovee' is an awesome plugin!

[@FIVEOOHBEATS]

Good Job, please I just need a clarification on 17:25 while using the ultra pitch how do you change the the look to archive that.

[@Mynameisspkz]

Defiantly learned a few things from this series. 1 thing I noticed is that you ROUTED all vocals and did not put anything on the tracks themselves was that to keep a dry version and wet version? I like how you used the reverbs as well I learned a tip there too. Also The Puig Tec I now know how to use the plug in. Big thank you for your expertise. Id honestly be lost in the mix without your help. God Bless You Man Of God.

[@SeanDivine]

hey Marcos, the vocals were routed to the same bus for processing on 1 aux track. There's a number of advantages to doing this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kILSlqCahKyla8k

[@Alejandro60835]

Hey bro , nice tutorial using waves plug ins! was wondering if you had any thoughts on makimg a tutorial for EQ-ing and compressing vocals using Waves SsL Channel Eq plug in? I'd greatly appreciate it because I'm working with limited waves plug ins.

[@INTERNATIONALCURTISG]

Real Good crazy chick Efx lol

[@SkyC4600]

Sean 🍀❤️💪👏🙌

[@bboymac84]

I love that #crazychick lol 😂

[@SeanDivine]

😁

[@bartoszkurpinski5687]

163 views!!! love you since i discovered you, Sean

[@SeanDivine]

🙏

[@MDOTDASUPA]

How about a vocal tracking video showing exactly how you were able to get your vocals so consistent and how to effectively use the comp feature in LPX?

[@SeanDivine]

will see what I can do :)

[@themichaelb01]

Love the vids, always learning something new! I was wondering if there are any free third party plugins to check out? The stock plugins in LPX aren’t working for me but maybe I just suck at mixing :/

[@SeanDivine]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2HOZ6qKo8iVaZY

[@mixedbygip8938]

from one engineer to the next. I always love your content. Did you use the aphex channel for your vocals?

[@SeanDivine]

Darwin G 100 I did!

[@marty296]

Sean Divine request a from South Africa, please do a tutorial using slate digital everything bundle

[@sifer2407]

Do you have any tutorials where you are mixing with ozone on your master bus. Great work as usual.

[@SeanDivine]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIqsgWmAlLaNqtE

[@DreErdna]

Sean: Hey. What’s going on out there? I’m Sean Divine. Sean’s Subscribers: Nothing much. What’s up with you Sean?! Sean : “YALL FLEXIN IM LIVIN’ ALOUDDDDD !!!” Hahaha just playin! Love the video start to finish. Thanks so much 🙏 17:10 is the best feeling!!!!!! :D

[@SeanDivine]

😁

[@blacklegacy4296]

Hot track and good walk through. I see you have the Ozone 8 plugin on the output. I'm quite sure that affect the overall sound. Did you adjust any settings in the Ozone 8 or did you just slap it on the output?

[@SeanDivine]

it's simply a brickwall limiter to keep the master from clipping for the video! 👍

[@phall3401]

Great video bro. Was wondering if there are any tips on how to know what key you are singing in. Is there an app? Or do you just know

[@SeanDivine]

A little bit of music theory goes a long way. Once you know keys / scales, it’s instinctive 👍

[@jinxxx4060]

i think you have to "select all" on waves tune to actually make it work but good video sean!

[@SeanDivine]

Thanks Jordan! Yes, I did forget to select the notes in the video so it’s working but on the default settings :)

[@orlandomenal3531]

Yeh man.. God bless u man.. i feel your lyrics on this song man.. praises 2 the Most High.. #Give #Thanks

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Orlando! Blessings :)

[@LuffyAkAMaDGuY]

I want this song out asap! :D

[@SeanDivine]

coming very soon :)

[@phall3401]

Is there a reason why I cant get the original voice out of the recording when using ultra pitch shift?.

[@ACOMPA]

bonjour les preset waves vendu peut etre utilisé sur studio one ou fl studio ?? merci de me repondre

[@jaquaghnlord2883]

can you do a tutorial on setting up ovox in logic pro x

[@pbemusicgroup]

Nice process. I use the same process but it seems like i'm missing something. Vocals doesn't sound warm and seems like they're sitting to up front. They sound good but not very cohesive. What might you think i'm doing wrong?

[@da-med8521]

First ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@ericsolomon3318]

I noticed Schepps Omni channel in your plug in list. Do you ever use it?. I actually use this but I'm still learning my way around it.

[@SeanDivine]

I do. the preamp / saturation section is great and you can add one insert that can be any Waves plugin - pretty cool!

[@diogenessbeats7421]

wow

[@xelent1]

Is it better to mix the best first then lay the vocals on top?

[@Carlo_030]

Hahaha BUS 6 creazy chick...wonderful

[@SeanDivine]

😁

[@mcak9650]

Excellent tutorial. And the part about ad-libs is deeply interesting, however there is something I dont get : at 15:23 how do you switch the screen of the plug-in like that ? I even checked the manual and I got no clue. Thanks if you answer, and thanks anyway for your great work.

[@SeanDivine]

that's specific to logic pro, it allows you to control which part of the signal is being processed with the plugin

[@mcak9650]

@@SeanDivine OK. Thank you for the explanation. Keep it up bro !

[@geniustracks9213]

Sean I know I'm re-visiting an old video but quick question - - is there differences between doing your send at 0db and adjusting at the FX-bus fader......versus keeping the FX bus fader at 0db and adjusting your send volume? I always send at 0db but I see you're doing adjustments at the send volume. Thanks man!

[@SeanDivine]

Generally speaking, no. On the plugin level (on your FX bus) that relationship can affect the sound but just use your ears! Whichever way you prefer :)

[@blackuniversehiphop1727]

do you have a more updated video to mixing rapping vocals?

[@SeanDivine]

lots of new ones on the channel :)

[@dheindejesus6306]

Idol can you make A mixinh video using adobe audition cc. With waves v9 plugins. Tnx

[@dopeshotsfilms1800]

Hey what's going on man dope Channel. I'm working with Ableton live 10 I'm new to Mixing do you have any Wave plugins for that? I wanna purchase some from your website!

[@lavish5014]

Dope Shots Films should be on the waves website

[@allanondatrack9431]

Good morning Sean. Hey I have a very interesting question in regards to the Waves Plugins that were used within the Mix. First let me say, I love your Vocal Chains for the Waves Gold Bundle which I've purchase years ago as well as the Mastering Chains. My question is, are there Plugins within the Waves Gold Bundle I may use as a replacement for the Plugins you used that may not be available within the Waves Gold Bundle. I have the attentions of using a replica or should I say similar Plugins. I also notice within the Waves Studio Rack they have different categories which contains some Plugins as well. I really enjoyed the videos part 1 and part 2 and I'll definitely will be applying these techniques into a track I'm Mixing and Mastering for an artist. Thank you and God bless. P.S. Can't wait for the release of your Instrument Chains which I mentioned that you should also create a while back, which will DEFINITELY be a game changer for many Music Producers like myself. -AllanOnDaTrack

[@SeanDivine]

Sure, you can of course use plugins in place of those in Waves Gold. That said, the Waves Gold plugins used are an ideal starting point imo and I would learn those inside and out first. 🙏

[@allanondatrack9431]

@@SeanDivine Thank you so much for your response. God bless

[@graverick666]

Hey Sean.....when recording vocals from scratch would you recommend recording dry with no compression, eq etc and then do all the compression, eq, plugins etc after... Or use compression, eq etc while recording fresh vocals from scratch?.... Also would you set all your levels to not peak when making a new track or adjust levels after when it comes to finalising the mix??.. You're answer much appreciated bro :)

[@SeanDivine]

If you're comfortable with processing during tracking, I might suggest a slight amount of EQ / deessing along with light tracking compression. I just did a video on tracking vocals with compression - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmixYp6qmZuqkM0. As for peaking, I'm not so concerned about it unless it is causing an undesirable sound. Otherwise, in the creative process I want to keep it flowing and we can always fix mix levels later :)

[@graverick666]

@@SeanDivine legend my bro!.. Love how you respond so quickly and to the point!.. That's the reason i subscribe to your channel!.. Keep it up sean :)

[@dapmc3]

i learn a lot from all you videos. Is your song a christian song? i really having a hard time making my mixes sound soft and confutable to listen to, I'm not clipping either. Appreciate you!

[@SeanDivine]

glad to hear it man! I'm a Christian but it's a song I hope everyone can connect with :) Have a look around the channel, there's a lot of mixing content I think will help!

[@akshyaacharya]

Hi Sean , Please let me know why the M1 macbook pro some times does not handle these waves plugins and the CPU hits 100 % leaving a craking sound in the output. Note that the session is running on Rosseta 2. Kindly help

[@SeanDivine]

It depends on your cpu specs and how many other plugins you have in your session. If you have decent specs and are being resourceful, it shouldn't be causing spikes. I would contact Waves directly if that's the case.

[@natejohnson9593]

Studio rack isn’t showing all my waves plugins so I just used same technique but plugins on the bus need help getting all plugins to show in studio rack

[@SeanDivine]

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

[@GermanFragEditing]

my studiorack cant find my Plugins in the Plugin-List. Anyone know how to fix?

[@SeanDivine]

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

[@mfghost2165]

Hey Sean, i got a problem and think you will maybe know a solution: When i'm mixing ( I'm using Ableton to produce and mix ), my finished mix is between -14 and -10 LUFS ( Integrated ), but the song is still very quiet. I don't know if its me or Ableton but there is no way i could push it louder because then i am clipping the master. So for example if i listen to your album on youtube or song from artists like Kendrick Lamar or Bob Marley, it's on a competing level and more or less pretty similiar in terms of loudness. But my projects, even if i push it to 10 LUFS, sound a lot quieter. Is there a way to solve this problem? I came up with the idea to transfer the project in another daw and trying to push it there, but i don't know if this is a good solution and if i will face the same problem ( clipping ) there. I would be grateful for any suggestion. PS: Good video as always! Have a nice day!

[@SeanDivine]

Hi Ghost, what are typical RMS levels for your tracks?

[@mfghost2165]

Hey, mostly around -10 to -9.

[@SeanDivine]

as measured by which plugin?

[@bigtray4546]

Is the studio rack free or do u have to purchase it

[@SeanDivine]

it's free! www.waves.com/plugins/studiorack

[@ItsSyer]

Is it ok to call you "Sensi" Sean Devine? 🤣💯

[@SeanDivine]

Sire Charlie Macfly 🙏

[@wani4774]

We see that ozone on the stereo bus! Don’t ignore it 😂

[@SeanDivine]

it's just the maximizer module w/ ceiling set to -0.1 :)

[@Kidme0UT]

Sean is the Alex tumay of KZbin

[@peakingmantis5331]

Lol is Alex Tumay really rated that highly? He finessing people lol

[@Kidme0UT]

Peaking Mantis I’m not speaking on who he is as a person, the guy is artistic when it comes to production

[@MikiMusa]

why do you create a bus for the addlips if its just one track?

[@SeanDivine]

gives you more flexibility as you may want to route other tracks to the aux :)

[@Bennjihunnit_]

How much you charge to mix and master my songs ?

[@100strap]

Hey bro I really appreciate the knowledge, is it by chance I can email a mix I did following this so you can critique it?

[@SeanDivine]

hey Chris, there is a live critique happening later this month and you can submit at seandivine.com/live

[@100strap]

Sean Divine ok thanks bro!

[@dannygarnet3700]

Do you mix and master projects?

[@SeanDivine]

seandivine.com/mixing-and-mastering

[@afsheenasady3306]

😋

[@babawanga1712]

Logic pro x or Studio one ?

[@SeanDivine]

this is logic pro x

[@kerose]

what version is that? Whatever I have doesn't keep the plugins in the window, it opens a new window..

[@SeanDivine]

it's the older version of StudioRack, I'm using the newer one now :)

[@kerose]

@@SeanDivine damn. i'd prefer that worklflow.

[@D8i]

can you explain please why you make 1 vocal left and other right ? why not stereo

[@SeanDivine]

using different takes of the same delivery gives you a wider, more "3d" sound. Typically vocals are recorded in mono so having a pair of different takes can allow you to do stereo effects like this

[@D8i]

@@SeanDivine thank uuu

[@eddahby9186]

can you tell us why you duplicate the main track to 2 tracks

[@SeanDivine]

they're not duplicates but rather the same delivery in different takes to provide a more full sound in the mix - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnukmHyjjrqlos0

[@DreErdna]

5:40 what’s the difference between 1/8t and 1/8?

[@SeanDivine]

it's the timing - "t" signifies a triplet

[@Welsed]

Tfw you think back on how your ex was always getting on you and was never satisfied. 14:43 😂😂😂 Side note, I tend to be vowel heavy in my vocals. How do I manage to tame those and even out the saturation that happen when stacking those tracks? I figure compression could do it, but I dont want to raise the floor noise.

[@SeanDivine]

I'm assuming you mean consonant heavy? :) This is usually tamed with compression / EQ. Try experimenting with the attack time. A faster attack time can soften them out. When stacking, you may need to do more intense EQ to treat frequency build up.

[@Welsed]

Sean Divine yeah, not my sibilances as much as my more Oh and Ah sounds. I'll dig more into my compression skill set. Such a subtle ear needed for thst and I'm still after all these years wrapping my head around attack times in relation to evening out vocal takes. Thank you!!! I've reinforced a lot of my fundamentals thru your vids. I'm an avid viewer. Keep it up!!!!

[@floompoos_records977]

hello master! 😁 could you make a reaction video to the songs of your subscribers?

[@SeanDivine]

I do live mix critiques :) still time to submit! seandivine.com/live/

[@nvkbeats4233]

I think the Waves Tune was wrong. You did not select it before you changed the speed and the transition value. So the values ​​did not change

[@SeanDivine]

it's still working but you're correct - I forgot to select the notes before adjusting the speed / transition values and so those remained at the default setting :)

[@menusmusic8212]

Maybe i'll call you kakashi sensi... Please i wanna know if you do master your track with headphone or speakers!

[@SeanDivine]

I mainly mix and master on 2 sets of monitors but use headphones as a reference

[@menusmusic8212]

@@SeanDivine thanks for the reply

[@tonyedison9749]

That was fire how u changed your voice to sound like a chick 💪🏽💪🏽 🔥 🔥

[@User-xt6dv]

Is this the same for pro tools can u do a vid with pro tools