Vocal Mixing For Pros - Using EQ, Compression and FX | Featuring Michael Johns

[@manulovesyoumadly]

2:50 Spot-EQ look for: harsh notes that need 3k taken out of them, plossives that need to have bottom end taken out of them 3:22 first word "come" plossive at the beginning wind sound at the and low cut 110Hz 3:53 "close" plossive c at the beginning, spot-EQ just that 4:20 "breath" plossive b at the beginning, spot-EQ just that, steeper low cut curve 5:00 lot of wind spot-eq whole phrase 5:50 balance vocals in the track, EQ, Compress, De-Ess 6:20 about singing with a handheld directional mic (SM57, SM7) in front of the speakers (great pitch, great performances) 7:00 Compression 8:04 De-Esser 9:26 EQ 10:18 Reverb EQ right after, always low-cut 140Hz, high-shelf 11k (+8db) 3 sec, long pre-delay (106ms) -> voice stays upfront and intimate think about the tempo of the song, are there spaces in the vocals for reverb? (if no, better use delays) 12:43 Delay 500ms don't time it perfectly to the tempo 14:09 Throw-Delay single repeat, quarter note, eq it, low-fi, pan it to one side 15:23 Double Tracked Vocals different EQ

[@jacklandy5704]

Thanks. Really appreciated

[@sempopo]

Thank you!

[@jimmyjamesc]

He’s whipping through the spot EQ shortcuts. Trying to figure out how to do this with this plugin. Any help appreciated.

[@philiptruitt]

THANK YOU!!!

[@arthur.monticelli]

​@@jimmyjamesches cutting the spot he needs to fix and then rendering the effect on the part (printing the effect on the clip he just cut)

[@georgeholdcroft6957]

Wow. I played over 100 shows with Mike 2009-2014. Clicked this video for Vocal Mixing tips. What a surprise. Loved that guy. Thanks for sharing this Rick!

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

That’s gotta be wild…He sounds unbelievable! Sounds like an SM57…really brings out some amazing harmonics in his voice. Don’t need to comment on vocal control. For fun, I’m gonna sing this and then have Melodyne analyze both our vocals. See what a pro could do on one take vs my comping of 10 takes lol.

[@JonGodsun]

RIP Michael Johns...your a good man Rick for honoring him and sharing your talent and wisdom. Thank you!

[@createlovehappy]

I just want you to know that this is massive value. I went to music production school in 2006-2008 and I wish my instructors taught me less bs and more real world practical “this is how you really do it” stuff. I did do an amazing internship with Joel Jaffe at studio d in Sausalito, ca where I learned deca tree mic techniques and some basic stuff. It ended way before I was ready and I felt completely lost and not prepared enough to get work as a producer or engineer. As a result I had to find work elsewhere and support my family however I could. My only regret is that I didn’t seek out the producers that made the records I loved and learn from them instead. Anyway great Channel I love what you do. Maybe it’s not too late for an old guy like me @ 54.

[@Tier_1_Golf_Academy]

Create Love Happy it’s never too late, my friend. Especially if your goal is producing. It isn’t a gig that is physically demanding, so you can enjoy it well into your later years and not be at a disadvantage to the younger cats because it’s all about technique and know how. So go get in the studio and get after it! 🔊 🎶 🔊 🎶

[@createlovehappy]

John O'Mary Oh man. This is just what I needed to hear today. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I sold my drums and a lot of gear. Kept a few great mics, guitars, bass and a keyboard. Still have my digi 003. Used to run a dual g5 pre intel. But need to get a laptop that will work with the 003. Anyway thanks man.

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

For pops/plosives I found a great trick where you highlight the small area and use/automate the "edit gain" and reduce it by 6 or more Db. It actually sounds good. It sounds emotive and not thin/dropping out. It's much more natural than a de esser. It's just a split second of reduction. The less in the chain the more head voice you retain. I love your long pre delay reverb trick.

[@starttherebellion9146]

God I remember Michael Johns' performances so well on AI. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he was out in 7th on a freak vote. To this day he's one of my favorite vocalists ever. Such a fantastic voice. Given the time and the right songs he could have been a legend. - So cool that you actually knew him and worked with him. I tell ya, the more I find out about you the more I am in awe of you Rick.

[@MattSiegelMusic]

Rick, I really wish you'd do more videos like this. The technique to spot EQ the vocals for plosives was a lightbulb moment for me being self-taught at mixing. I'm certain I'm not alone in that.

[@ThomTremblay]

What a voice. Incredible. Just in my work, I've come across so many incredibly talented people that are never heard by the masses. I guess we can just be happy we were able to hear them. Sorry that you lost your friend. Thank you for sharing some of his gift.

[@JAFOpty]

Rick it would be great to include some screen capture video, it is a bit difficult to see your screen with the camera.

[@KillTuco]

69th like

[@IchBinJhono]

@Cazador Nocturno but the audio would also be better off a screen recording

[@elmer8170]

Yeah but hes litherally saying everything he does, thats the point. Its not a genius deconstructed video where we wanna see the screen so much, its more about the tips he has to give

[@hungliketictacs]

Thanks for making these Rick, they will forever be a reference for future music lovers.

[@karisonicaudio]

good master always think about up coming talents

[@backspin6698]

Why is it always the good and beautiful people that goes first. And the bad and evil stays and makes the world a bad place. Nice song and tribute Rick.

[@Arufured0]

Rick, please, release this 8 songs including this one! Just lovely material! It would be a great tribute and honor to Michael Johns and his family, no doubts.

[@dickeyjones6992]

Rick, Iv'e been learning from your videos for a while now and want to tell you that they have helped me a lot. This was very good for me to see how you did this. I am sorry for the loss of your friend Michael Johns. He was a real talent and I am sure he is looking down on us all as we listen to this and learn. God Bless.

[@schance1666]

wow, what a singer. thanks again for shining a light on a lost star and for all the amazing production advice... so inspiring. Thanks, bud.

[@naturligfunktion4232]

I’ve been producing for over ten years now and the more I do it, I feel that it is all about polishing an already great performance. Take this video for example. Rick doesnt do that much, but it sounds great. It does so because the singer did a great take. And that is what it is all about

[@GoodVibeTribe]

Another incredible tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing this very personal moment and introducing us to a great friend of yours.

[@JohnKesselChannel]

i found this post very touching. it's clear you loved your friend. this was an important engineering lesson. i still lack the ears to tell what does what. i'm glad there are pros like you that will share their craft and knowledge.

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

You are the man. This is gold.

[@MohndiOfficial]

Thank you for publishing this video. As someone who is building something bigger than himself in this music endeavor, the knowledge from this video is invaluable and will come in handy when I get to work with actually gifted singers. I believe it will help polish my vocals, too, in the meantime since that is all I have now for the exhibition tracks I am making. While I use FL Studio exclusively I was able to identify the plugins I would use for each of the tricks you mentioned. This is GOLD. Thank you.

[@ljones2087]

😂😂😂

[@docgnft6681]

Thanks Rick. Like the music theory vids... but the production/mixing videos you do are PHENOMENAL! Great tips to troubleshoot tracks and make them sound the best they can. Your experience really evident and I love the nuance in your approach. This is kind of education that one would ONLY get if they were your assistant engineer. Thanks so much!! TtT Ps. If it is not obvious... I'd love anything more along these lines.

[@NICUofficial]

within the first 4 minutes I already had my mind blown (not uncommon with your videos) I just never realized that vocals are being edited to this level of detail (or rather I don't think I realized WHAT level of detail was being edited) "Spot-EQ'ing" and the phrase "you know what, I'm actually just gonna EQ the entire word" MIND. BLOWN. That one sentence says so much, in so few words, to a newer producer like me this is definitely going to improve NICU's upcoming self-produced album. every little edge I can get on my vocals - from performance to mastering - means the world to me EDIT: "If there's NO SPACES, there's NO ROOM for REVERB" gah these are just hitting so hard RN also the song is really pretty. and he does have a great voice. sorry to hear we lost him.

[@FisVii77]

Really like this vocal Mixing correction stuff, Look forward to more in the future. Thanks for Sharing Rick.

[@briangurnett]

Holy poop. Such great information. As always. No fluff. As always. Thank you. If I were to have a request, it would be to hear your thoughts on mic-ing vocals. Mic types, placement, in-line effects or compression before the computer... Thanks again, man.

[@JMWatts79]

I've followed you for about three to four years, and I'm going back through older videos I've previously missed. Your friend, Mike, had a great voice. I wish you had a complete vocal track so you could finish this for him, and though it's been a while, I'm very sorry for loss, Rick.

[@markkroos]

Gosh what a gorgeous voice. Thank you for sharing this, Rick, and the info is awesome.

[@fredoviola]

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for these excellent tutorials!!!

[@ayMillmusic]

This is really some of the best tips you can get on the web. Amazing video Rick, thanks for sharing and I'm sad to hear about Michael. Thanks for showing us this. Take care!

[@giantessmaria]

Wow, when he kicks into the high register around the 17 min mark it gave me chills! Top notch vocalist...would have loved to hear him sing some Robert Plant, early Zep ...!

[@BasilSimon]

Thanks for this Rick. I value this because I record my own vocals and often lose objectivity due to an annoying helping of self loathing! Its good to hear another producers approach! I'd be interested to know your rates for mixing too. Shoot me a PM if you can! Have a great day!

[@hartleygabolinscy3152]

❤️🌹🌹🌹❤️ A BIG Thank you, (NZ) Now I have more faith to tackle my recordings. I can learn right here and appreciate your way of work and instruction. BRILLIANT.... and I ain't young. LOVING THIS.

[@HubLocationSound]

So many nuggets of wisdom in this video. I’m shocked it only has 1800 views... Really valuable advice.

[@deangoritz9625]

If i would've have been smart enough to win your contest, i would rather spend an hour hanging in the studio with you Rick, love it. Brings me back to the days i worked in a studio

[@metalmix7773]

Wow! I'm stunned! Amazing how easy it is to learn this stuff these days.

[@forgepro8659]

Can anyone on here explain how to set up the "spot-eq," that he is using on the vocals? I have looked for days now and can't find a way that explains how that is set up. BTW, great stuff Rick. Glad folks like you are in the world to share and shape future engineers!

[@metalion667]

Forge Pro - I'm not a pro tools user but I seem to remember you can place 'audio suite' fx on the actual clips instead of the whole track,;that's what I think he's doing and then bouncing or rendering those fx straight away, that's why you see the waveform changing afterwards.

[@ChristopherRoss.]

Yes, using the audio suite, pull up whatever plugin you need, cut out your selection and hit the process button on the bottom. Be careful though, once it's rendered you've commited. Ctrl z is the only way to change it.

[@heythere6983]

I really like the way his voice starts getting shaky for effect, you can feel his heart churning . Nice tone and feel for sure . The song sounds nice.

[@rubentavares4662]

that plosive at 3:22 shook the damn camera

[@tonymirabal8832]

I am having such a great time studying these, Thank you,

[@alirezahamed8893]

woww what a voice and what a great song never felt so amazing watching a mix tutorial i wish the song was actually out😢

[@danbroussard8714]

I enjoyed watching your work. And I liked your choice of vocals and how you addressed the parts. Thank you.

[@JanDaggry]

Thank u so much for sharing your expertise and you're hart feldt emotions about your long lost friend. Ive lost a good friend of mine to suicide for a couple of years ago, just thought of him again yesterday. It reminds me to live as much as i can while i'm here. Hugs all round

[@janwaldekranz2641]

Thanks for another great moment with my super teacher!! I am almost going back from Logic to ProTools just because you use it. I gave it up because I found it to often crashing.

[@lloyddarbon5034]

Always great to see the way you do things. Thanks Rick :)

[@frankpratte8358]

I've always wanted to look over someones shoulder as they mix. This is absolutely great.

[@Morres-music]

GREAT vid! Learned a lot out of this....and WHAT a beautiful song and what a great lyrics....and what a great voice! Wish I wrote it! It would fit me perfectly.

[@IAmMinnian]

This was amazingly helpful. More mixing tutorials please. Thanks Rick

[@louiegroenewald]

Great Video. Lovely explanation. This seems like a very nice guy.

[@christinekolyan5821]

Thank you Rick Beato !! Love the videos you make :) You are a great man.

[@dennismenezes9423]

Great great work ! I'm starting to watch your videos . . this is the second, I'm following, I don't have knowledge about recording, but, it's great to watch the process. Here in Brazil, at least in Rio, at the music university, we don't learn to much about it, we have to find ways to learn, produce ourselves . . and it's so important for musicians nowadays . . In the video "The Story of My Musical Background" , the phrase "upload my brain to youtube/my kids in the future" . . that was deep . . philosophically modern ! It made me stop to think about the times we live in . . ! I don't know if you have it those videos, but, one about the minimum of equipaments (and good ones) that we need to have to record ourselves, one instrument . . and what are they for . . like "sound table"/audio interface, I've already seen people saying that you need one, but the programs already have those functions . . anyway, those questions from someone who knows nothing . . Sorry my english, hugs from Brazil ! :D

[@behemoth123]

Great Rick! looking forward to more mixing and recording videos! thats what i do too and i always love to see what other people are doing.Thank you!

[@MarkBennett007]

Thank you Rick…….. very informative also very touching.

[@jonesofohio]

Great song Rick. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on vocal mixing and for a great channel.

[@D_punkster]

Great insight indeed. Though i couldn't actually see exactly what you were doing in some other other instances. Camera focused fully in the screen for more detailed screen info would make your tips even more clearer. Great, priceless tips and tricks all round. Thanks!

[@ianmacdougall8812]

There s something there in that song. A man of your ability can probably strengthen the chorus but the verse is very good. Hope you finish it!

[@juliandevilliers6435]

Great video. Thanks for sharing Rick. Great vocalist there wow!

[@brianlee9898]

Always grateful for you sharing your knowledge!

[@aricunono6272]

Sounds a hit and this tut was gold. Thank you,

[@lacerdabruno1]

So sorry for Michael, thanks Rick for showing us his talent!

[@paoloribaldini]

Spotted the video, liked and put it on my playlist for production before seeing it...

[@guitarsword1]

Awesome Rick. Great vocalist , loved the tune.

[@SorenAraujo]

You Sir, are outstanding, Rick. Pretty please, could you make a video on spot eq? Thanks indeed! Greetings from the tiny islands of Cabo Verde.

[@lukeweiler1192]

Cool video good watch I’ve been struggling getting a vocal sound I’m happy with. I think EQ and compression are where I’m screwing up. Watched your video on compression and your video on EQ and now this. 🙏👍👍👊🏻thanks for dropping the free knowledge rick!!

[@hotrodbod1]

Absoltely BEAUTIFUL voice Rick! So SORRY for ALL our LOSS!

[@Meshakdann]

This is very interesting, i learnt and even take notes. I just wish this song was finished😍

[@PMandersloot]

thanks Rick:) I really enjoy your video's! They always seem to inspire me

[@jerryk3280]

Wow, what a great voice! And nice production as well :)

[@johncougar526]

Hey Rick: seems to me that with a pre-delay of 106ms, you effectively already have a delay happening, and a whole lotta wash after that first repeat that could either beef up or muddy the sound, depending on how you treat it in the mix. I like to think of delays as having a musical context, and it helps me to visual the repeats "on the staff", so-to-speak, as if the repeats were noted on the score of the piece. That thinking process helps me place the delays within the sonic palette of the piece of music, helping it all make sense. Then the decision becomes how to treat the repeated notes: do they stay the same pitch and timbre, do they modulate, get thicker as if approaching the listener, or thinner as they move away, brighter as if rising, or darker to land lower in the aural space, and so on ...

[@johncougar526]

Also, would you really add a de-esser just to handle one bad note? Why not tackle that particular note manually and leave the rest of the track "unpolluted" by yet another digital processor... just a thought carried over from a discussion with my mastering engineer.

[@coltonrudd]

Love videos like these! I can understand not doing these often since this is what you do for a living everyday and it's nice to branch out and talk about the other things you are passionate about. If I could submit a suggestion for another video like this mixing one, I'm curious to know more about your approach to mixing a song as a whole and what truly makes a "commercial mix" versus an average everyday mix. Also on this subject, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on how the arrangement affects the mix and what we can do or avoid to achieve greater sounding tracks overall! Thanks Rick!!

[@RickBeato]

I have been waiting to do more videos like this. They are tricky to film because of the lighting of the screen and how close I'm sitting but I think this works. Thanks! Rick

[@coltonrudd]

Have you considered using something like ScreenFlow or Quicktime to record your computer screen instead of filming it with a camera? That would eliminate the glare problems and your audience can see what you see!

[@davidharrison5873]

What would be even more useful would be to get direct audio from Pro Tools, rather than the camera mic picking up from the monitors. I'm much more interested in hearing accurately than seeing accurately. BTW - love the way the camera shakes when the bass drum hits :)

[@coltonrudd]

By combining ScreenFlow with SoundFlower (free shareware utility), you can do just that - route the audio directly from the computer and the result is both the direct screen capture from the computer along with the audio as if we were listening to it directly on our own system. Best of both worlds :)

[@tomlebeau7921]

Love all your mixing videos! Make more please!

[@PhilBaker]

Thanks for all you do, Rick!

[@suckmebeautiful631]

Helped me out on getting started, great video to get the gears churnin'

[@shelob12347]

Thank you for making this video. Could you please,please,please let us know how to Spot EQ?.

[@webjammer1]

Excellent information and presentation for mixing studio vocals. How about a video for those of us that do live recording and have to deal with cymbals and snare in the vocal mic.

[@trulyronson]

He Rick, have you ever thought about finishing the song? I would love to give it shot! This song is up my ally...

[@-marino2782]

Sounds like it could be a great song. You should finish it for your friend. Could be a great song. Chorus is powerful

[@Hurakion]

thanks alot for this video. It helped me out alot! if possible, could you do a tutorial for stereo separation?

[@xinkay]

Hi ! Thanks for sharing - great ideas. Maybe you can do for us one video about mixing with reverb and delay?

[@borndrumming1972]

Let's finish this! I will play and record drums. You do some arranging. Add some bass guitar. Get it mixed and mastered. Then...we can do a video montage of Mikes life and career. Just a thought. Thanks Rick. I really dig what you do.

[@SupernovaSun77]

I think it’s a finished song you can release that the way it is. It’s really good.

[@newsomething8682]

Thank you for this aspiring music and lesson!

[@lleevv1052]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@helgyd]

those mixing routine vids don't get much views as I see but they are a great help and very insightful

[@eastlake93]

Bless you Rick.

[@DerSaitenspringer]

Well done Rick! Great work!

[@jaimomo65]

Great video and great surprise, same monitors than mines ;-)

[@glenfordholder6441]

great tutorial bro great singer he was.

[@HenrikEkblom]

Can you make an entire video of how to use reverbs, like you've done with EQ and compression?

[@alexpick2028]

as always, amazing knowledge and a great video but ... if you don't know how to set up 'spot' EQ ... pretty tough to enact this lesson!

[@JimStanardMusic]

Beautiful voice

[@mandospence]

This is a fantastic video and a very sad story. I'm sorry for your loss. I realize this is a demo, but I would love to hear the completed version of this song. Where can it be found? Thanks.

[@jermainesmith6315]

Thanks. Sorry for your loss.

[@CarloMartinYrure]

Such a good song Rick. 👍👍

[@millmoormichael6630]

Thanks RB! God knows I love reverbs but I’ve become to be into a super dry vocal ala Mac Miller. That would be a great tutorial! 👍

[@nielshanne5417]

This is so good! Thanks Rick!

[@Gemberland2004]

He a beast. He break it down to the tea

[@marcushawkinsmusic]

whoot whoot! If you ever need a drummer for one of your videos.... I live in Georgia!!

[@JensHilzensauer]

Thank you for your awesome videos! I got a recommendation for screenrecording (including audio): Screenflow. That way you could even release mix/production course videos. I'd buy them. ;-) All the best from Germany.

[@watsonstudios]

Hey Rick, wasn't Michael in The Rising? The song Cradle has been a favorite of mine for quite a while. I remember watching him on American Idol.

[@loonaya]

Hi Rick. When you say "spot eq", you mean eqing the problematic frequency just in one letter, or in one word where it is harsh, while leaving the same frequency untouched in other parts of the performance where it is not problematic? Essentially, like automating eq.

[@RickBeato]

+loonaya That's correct

[@loonaya]

Thanks on the quick reply

[@randalscandal1588]

RIck, you are fantastic.

[@CristonAnderson]

Thanks for these videos Rick! Learning a lot from them! Was wondering how to Spot EQ, it's referenced several times in the video, but how do you get the EQ to only trigger on specific spots on the track? Particularly when each spot is set to different parameters?

[@Guitarpresence]

I agree with everyone, awesome video Rick! The spot EQ confused too but here is what I think Rick is talking about. I believe that Rick is using AudioSuite plugins, I sometimes forget they are there because I don't use them often for music, but this is a great application for them. If you don't know what AudioSuite plugins are, they are clip based plugins (they will render changes on a clip rather than being applied to a track). They can be found in the AudioSuite menu item in the menu bar. You can select a whole clip or a selection and apply processing. I mostly use them for sound effects, foley or dialog but I really like this application for them. Many other DAWs have a clip based plugin option which I would assume would work in a similar manner. Hope that helps.

[@muenchhausenmusic]

You can use automation to either turn the specific EQ on and off at specific points, or you could automate the gain of an EQ band to decrease and increase back to normal again after the spot you want to equalize. Automation is king :)