Vocal Tricks the PROS Use

[@Qwitsoender]

For your third trick: reverse the vocal part ‘without reverb’, then record the reversed part with reverb, then reverse the recording. This way the trail actually leads up to the correct sound. Doing it your way: if the vocal said ABC, you’re putting the trail of C into the beginning of A. But what you really want to do is have reverb from the letter A going into the beginning of A.

[@SaltSpirits]

You’re right. I was thinking the same thing

[@Mikosheu]

I like your analogy music man

[@dansteinbok7955]

Came here to say the same thing. Gotta reverse your vocal first and then put the reverb on 100% wet.

[@gordonshumway8190]

Dr dre talked about this method! I think he mentioned it about a tupac song but it sparked my imagination and got me into sound production.

[@connorphilipp]

I'm trying so hard to understand what you wrote but I'm failing. Are you saying I should 1) Reverse the part that I want it to lead up to 2) Add reverb 3) Reverse the reversed audio that now has reverb? Because then the audio wouldn't be reversed anymore...I don't get it. Could you pleaaase clarify, I've been trying to get this right for days now 😩

[@TaylorLopez412]

I've seen that reverse vocal trick in action movies too. Like the first gunshot in a heavy action scene, they'll reverse it leading up to the first shot. Makes a cool effect!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yeah reversed elements in general are awesome for transitions too

[@robertnelson180]

If you add some delay on the vox before you render and reverse, it'll give it a vibe. 👌

[@chrisistre3189]

The part where you were like “ i’m going to just copy this for the time being” felt so real, that way if anything goes wrong…🎬🎬🎬

[@EntellagentTV]

Definitely will be incorporating the reverse vocals in my future productions

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Awesome!! 😎🔥🔥

[@jandrehuygen6485]

Hay man last year during the quarantine I started to learn music production. The last few weeks it felt like I was hitting a wall but then I saw one of your videos and it helped me to progress further. I just wanted to say thanks and keep making videos you are doing a great job.

[@TheWarriorSongProject]

20-something DUDE: "There are so many things I wish I would have known about music production when I started that I know now....that I look back and think man, that would have made my life easier..." ME: just wait till you're 40.

[@slxbeats8146]

Hahahah

[@annunacky4463]

66 here. Yeah.

[@kidcanis8199]

Me lol

[@sampsonondabeat]

i still find stupid little things here and there that is like umm ok duh lol

[@Braillionaire]

Great vid bro, thanks! Was hoping you'd hit reverse verb as I haven't done that in forever and needed a reminder lol One thing though... On your first trick, there's actually a way to create delay throws that is more flexible and uses much less processing power. If you create an aux track and bus your main vocal into it, you can add any effects that you would have on the duplicated track. The advantage to this, is that because it's an aux track, you can automate how much of it and when it comes in...to any track! So you can go through and automate throws for any tracks in your song using the same aux track to do it. I switched to this method to save processing power from when I used to duplicate tons of tracks lol I have an aux for reverb, and an aux for delays and for special effects etc. Then it's not nearly as many things being processed all the time. Maybe you have a reason not to do it that way, but it's been super helpful for me, and helped me to get creative since it's more flexible. You could even print from the aux track, and then reverse those effects, giving you the ability to quickly make reverse tails from anywhere... I literally just thought of that. Lol going to go try that! Thanks for the vid bro! Subscribing!

[@masochistmonkey]

Thanks for saving me a bunch of typing. I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t just do it this way.

[@atlasmusic6777]

@@masochistmonkey he’s not a mix engineer, he’s a producer. I did this forever too before realizing you can make a aux/send/bus/return rather than a new audio track. And even route sends from those to more. Always send my delays to my verbs and so on.

[@SeanofAllTrades]

This is da way

[@Braillionaire]

@@atlasmusic6777 ah yeah. Gotta send those delays to the verbs lol

[@damonomusic]

Yoooo.. for TIP#2 I want to add that when panning vocals hard left and hard right, if you have the option to record those takes a 2nd time for Right Channel and 3rd time for Left Channel, (doesn’t matter the order) your stereo image will be much wider :)

[@kdobroyk]

Do that 10 more times and you've got yourself a stereo choir. Yay! :)

[@michaelpacinus242]

Something I like to do with my fake doubles is slightly nudge one over just a couple hairs and it nails more of that organic timing of a real vocal double, lending you that really nice wetness you get from two independent takes in unison

[@danikoenig]

reverse the vocal before the reverb and record that. reverse the recording back - sounds better

[@necroman2754]

Will have to try that one day I guess

[@SeanofAllTrades]

The vocal throw was done on traditional boards by sending the audio to a "throw fader" which you would literally "throw" up when you wanted the delay to trigger. Much easier on a DAW to do it this way.

[@Itsdurl]

Dude, you have changed my life as a songwriter. You helped my engineering game by major levels.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

😎😎😎🔥🔥🔥 yessssss!! Love hearing this so much! Thank you and so happy for you!

[@KirkYardley]

@@NathanJamesLarsen do I need Logic Pro to take your course or will GarageBand work (it looks similar)

[@MastaGOfficial]

Instead of duplicating the track and split the track to the part that you wanted to do the delay effect on it, you can actually just create a fx track or a bus track, route the track to the fx/bus track that you desired to put the delay effect, just automate the which phrase do you want it to repeat with the delay effect.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Yep - I do that a lot as well just depends on what kind of workflow you want. The other challenge with is if you simply automate the volume of a bus then it might include words you don't want in the delay so then you end up automating the bypass of the delay instead which is essnetially the same thing. All that to say - there are almost always 2-3 ways of doing the same thing. Working on a mix right now where I use both methods in the same mix - because I want to accomplish slightly different results with each

[@SimienHill]

as a professional engineer I enjoyed watching your video. only thing I would recommend differently would be to automate the delay effect on a bus track and then add all of those FXs you used on the delay bus track. same result, just a little more flexible.

[@kalelisuperman]

The reverse vocal delay is probably my favorite. I’ll need to try the vocal throw.

[@88Doug]

I want to try that on vocals asap!

[@HugoSanchez-wl7vz]

I found this KZbin channel yesterday and all the tricks it have been awesome! Thanks for share Nathan, for sure I will the producer accelerator.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Awesome! Love hearing that Tim!

[@_xiks]

I also use reverse a lot when i make my beats, its just magical for some moments in the track

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Love it! Yeah reversed percussion is such a great addition - makes for good extra sauce

[@_xiks]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Yeah ! Sause is in the details :D

[@sco77ywatty]

I've been producing since the 80's using 'old school' techniques. It's great to see how things transfer to modern DAW systems. Well explained. BTW I believe that the reverse reverb techniques was pioneered by Pink Floyd? Correct me if I'm wrong. Great stuff. Subscribed.

[@time_371]

So glad to see system overload is an omnipotent godly issue and I’m not the only one

[@axel.lessio]

Simple but very effective! Also I love that in all of your videos about vocals the singers are really amazing.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks so much! Actually this was me singing haha! So thank you!!

[@thebarf9235]

Reverse vocal really is cool. Will be trying it now that you've showed how it's done.

[@amgauctions29musicgearandm31]

Thank you for these processing gems.

[@littlexubur1347]

5:31 “so then the next thing we could dababy do”

[@lilbuoy]

LOL TRUE

[@cjayconrod]

That was a much simpler approach to the vocal throw than I was anticipating. I'll have to use it soon.

[@ianmclean5541]

Reversed vocal trick @ 10:30. Awesome trick! Thanks Nathan!!

[@bassManDavis1953]

I have wondered how to do the vocal throw? Thanks to you and so well explained I can now use this technique as and when I need to

[@GarethGras]

A much easier way is to put the delay on a Aux track, send the vocal to it and automate the send level. It also means all you have to do is draw in where you want them with the send level.

[@recordman555]

As to the reverse effect, the best - IMHO - example, exists in the Queen II album - the first track on side "black" - "Ogre Battle", in which Roy Thomas Baker took the outro of the song, copied it, and spliced it backwards, to create the song's intro. Production genius!

[@kalinavanska4710]

I am beginning to learn how to edit and mix vocals. In my transition from live to a recording singer. I appreciate all your advice Nathan!

[@rabbitinyourrucksack]

I recommend Vocal Transformer its great

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Vocal Transformer is good for sure

[@mattbarnette3368]

Fun fact: One of the few things I remember from my time in recording classes in college is that doubling a track with the exact same sound source at exact same output volume level like he does in this video does not make the output volume for those two tracks double in perceived loudness as he eludes to, but rather an increase of 3 db. To be perceived as being twice as loud, that would be an increase of 10db.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

That's if you duplicate audio - if you double track it is by nature a totally different recording because of nuances... not sure what you're learning I recording school 🤷‍♂️ been using these techniques for like a decade dude

[@KoontzBand]

Owen Wilson, you're a great producer and excellent singer. I had no idea! Cheers

[@eLLBdotmusic]

The last tip was EPIC! Thanks for sharing.

[@BelAnuRa]

great Tricks Mate :-) i am very thankful you saved my next single... these 3 Tips made my Day ... God Bless you

[@tanuhudson3877]

The trick is you reverse the vocal put all the effects on it and print the reversed vocal with the effects. Then when you reverse it again you get just reverse reverb

[@CaseyFrankmusic]

That 3rd effect you spoke about reminds me of the song Louder Than Thunder by The Devil Wears Prada. I swear they use that effect. Awesome video. Thanks for these tips man!

[@underwoodunderwood8988]

Definitely the engineer. Artist rarely get involved in this process.

[@danmorsemusic]

Man I just have to say, the content of your videos is really good, but you also make them super fun to watch. I’m learning stuff AND I’m entertained. That can be difficult to do with informative technical content like this, and you pull it off well. Great work!

[@brandrockmusic]

Holy moly man those three techniques is so dope, easy and useful, i’m so grateful that you willing to share those techniques!!!!

[@SalvoSongs]

your excitement about the reversed vocal is so funny and cute LOL.

[@situtv]

Very unique ways to enhance the audio. Loved it. Thx

[@Hive5ive]

Hey man, I really enjoy your channel, found it a couple of days ago, and have been poking around here and there. I work in audio, mostly vox production. One small tip, when doing any kind of doubling, whether it's an octave down, like you did here, or harmonies or whatever, you should not copy paste it from the original. Getting a much tighter and that radio "pop" sound comes from doing dubs from original takes. So, for example, a basic session would look like this: Lead vox Lead vox dub L Lead vox dub R Lead vox octave up/down Lead vox harm L Lead vox harm R That's a basic layout, but all of those would be recorded separately, even if you were to comp each section, you'd make them separately, not copy pasting them. One technique we usually do to save time is just record the lead 6-8 times, color code it, and comp all the different parts from there. The point being that the different parts should come from original takes, because that gives it a character that we're all familiar with in modern music. Copy pasting may work for small sections, but if you try and do a full vox production like that, everything will phase and not sound right and professional. Good luck, sorry for the rambling. keep going, you're on the right track!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I don't copy paste - I actually have a whole other video on that topic. "Pros use this vocal trick for wide vocals" I think is the name

[@Hive5ive]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Didn't mean to offend, Just thought I saw you do that, is all.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

@@Hive5ive No offense at all! Just clarifying - getting wide vocals and bigger vocals is exactly how you mentioned in the comment. I DO copy over the audio if I want to accomplish the specific Formant shift which I think I demonstrate in this video - but that's for a whole other purpose than vocal doublings like you mentioned! Again, no offense at all on my part, just clarifying.

[@SimonFlames]

Love the reverse vocal. Gotta try using it next time

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

It's one of my faves! 😎

[@BillPhillips2000]

Nathan, I've been OVERDOSING on your videos. I absolutely love your approach and distinct separation of production vs mixing. Thanks for this incredible content. Looking forward to your courses!

[@dalewatts7059]

I love your video tutorials on logic pro. Just getting into the DAW and your tutorials are by far the best I've found. Thank you!

[@retrobubble0]

The knowledge of music production in your brain is overwhelming, I feel like I'd never learn as much as you do now in 500 years.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

First off - thank you - second - it's definitely learnable! I used be a beginner, too!

[@vyrahstudios]

Nice Video and nice tricks! ..Vocal Reverse was the best one!

[@jerrywiens5336]

Probably the best explanation and easiest to understand, awesome job def subscribing

[@JoeyLavish]

For the reverse reverb, Try chopping the first word of the phrase your attempting to crescendo into and using the reverb and delay plugin the same way to have the vowels line up when reversing. It'll be more pleasing and flow nicer!

[@naomicall8499]

What do you mean using the same reverb and delay after clipping the first word?

[@AhmedtheAlexandrian]

Very nice, your videos r my favorite, pro & clear, lots of useful info, and to the point in a cool manner, thank uuu

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks a bunch! Really appreciate that! 🙌🏻😎

[@chrisistre3189]

These classes are perfect! Thanks a-million I’m gonna watch you every day.🥰🥰🥰

[@jvpnoystudio1]

Great Tips Nathan - Thanks!

[@nigelcarren]

Great video mate 🏆 I have written so many songs around a quick sketch vocal, then high with the excitement if it all progressed to harmonizing with my singing (screaming). Then, next morning when playing my 'masterpiece' with my first cup of tea.... DAMN, what a mess! So, for me my tip would always be never to proceed until your lead is polished. If you can't do that then practice your singing like a Rocky montage until you have it down. 💪 Interesting video, tight sound mate, nice to soak in your positivity. Happy new year from an Englishman in a French forest. 🌞

[@ekclay7]

Both vocal techniques you demonstrated were very useful for me. Thank you man.

[@rayfromvegas]

Excellent 👍 Thanks for the tips. I’ve done this before but haven’t used in a while. Thanks for the reminder.

[@ronniemann9014]

Those vocals sounded good already but you made them sound AWESOME. Good job.

[@kenlnetherland]

Hey Nathan, the vocals on this recording are a good candidate for what I am about to propose because they are so clean. I would love to hear you put some vocal trills on some of the long notes.

[@bassManDavis1953]

Hey, this was such a great piece in total, got a bit excited with all the techniques as I was watching and after watching it all the way through..........man, gotta keep this in my favourites just so I can refer to it all. Thanks man! So helpful, as always.

[@Tiffers963Hz]

Dude. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. 🙏🏽 🤜

[@ringomaharaj1268]

Like how fast you get to the point in ALL your videos!!!

[@shaunvi]

I found all of these things helpful as an artist! Thank you brother ❤️🙏

[@Jzonjzon000]

great stuff!! looking forward to seeing more of your content. i am fan!!!

[@poltad]

Wow that’s an amazing production tip! Thanks.

[@lilian896]

Amazing❣️ Glad to see Decapitator. 🔥

[@danishno9535]

Nice one you made us feel so close to you as an audience

[@yossiaslan1419]

Excellent, brotha! Thank you

[@ricflomusic]

that reverse vocal trick is a gem, thank you!

[@drRowanation]

That reverse trick is fire

[@abdeton1899]

FANTASTIC, especially the reverse vocal effect! Thanks, mate!

[@kemdimusic]

Thanks Nathan, awesome job explaining.

[@heartistinstitute]

Nathan, your songs are unique and amazing, where can we find them? I have found only one song on your Spotify account. Thanks for your answer.

[@crushingthevector5837]

Great tips. Will be applying to my next session. Thanks

[@airey773]

Thx man, this is great. Love your vibe, great teaching.

[@RobRadleyMusic]

Nathan, this is a great video. Well done! 🤟🤟

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks, Rob! Appreciate that and happy to hear you liked it!

[@athenah2]

Love the info Nathan, thank you for all the video's.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

For sure! Happy to do it! 🔥😎

[@athenah2]

@@NathanJamesLarsen I have learned more from you than any other Logic tutorial I've watched.

[@ShannonModrell]

Loved all of this!

[@soumyashiskarmakar]

I've done vocal throw before but using delay on/off automation.

[@ronnieduignan]

Love your videos man, greetings from Ireland :)

[@jeddutangente9399]

wow mind blowing...!! thanks for the tips...

[@chrisistre3189]

When he was trying to say what he had done with the reverb… I was just like dude say burned😂😂😂👍👍👍

[@innerthugentertainment5670]

for the first just put delay on a bus and you can make it just turn the send on for that part without needing to creat another track

[@noormart411]

Thank you soooo much you really help me , can u make another video about the chours that vocals group together please 🙏🏻

[@selebmh]

Thanks for the reverse trick, wow man it sounds dope

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

It's a good one!! 🔥🔥

[@_xiks]

Thank you for teaching us so much things bro. Appreciate!

[@vadimmartynyuk]

thanks for the great tips. can you share a link to the song breakdown video you mentioned in this video please

[@micdropsdaduckyluva291]

Love it ! I'm just new with using GarageBand, so I'm Way Having Troubles just on that knowing type level, but am purging through those various struggles as well ....All is relevant,,, and well... In A DAW sense :)

[@FinnEcesMusic]

Thinking of switching over from GarageBand, but worried about the learning curve, these videos are perfect. Thank you ! Finn Eces.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

If you want to take things up a level then Logic is that first step in my opinion

[@Jg-be7it]

Logic is being used as if it were garageband in this tutorial. As far as I know, you can't do sends and returns in garageband, but you should be able to in logic. For example, the way a "pro" would do a delay throw in logic would not be the way it was shown here. The way it was shown here is how you would do it in garageband (due to lack of send/return and aux channels). To do it like the pros, you would send the vocal to an aux track, put the delay on the aux track, and automate it. I'm not trying to sh1t on the tutorial, either. I'm just trying to point out that the way he is showing you how to do these things would require no learning curve from GB to logic. But it also makes an upgrade to logic pointless, because you would still be doing things exactly as you would in garageband. The current version of garageband is basically "logic lite."

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

@@bw2937 The daw you use is completely irrelevant. I worked under a producer who was a PT guy and used it - still prefer Logic. The whole "this DAW is the best" is ridiculous. Pro records being made on any pro DAW... just pick one and learn it.

[@markgriskey]

I have used some of these techniques on other instruments... The reversed audio effect is super cool for a dramatic stop right before the final chorus or other very dramatic point in the song

[@ilykha]

Brilliant work, Nathan. Now I will definitely buy your vocal accelerator!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks so much!! That's awesome 😎😎 it's on sale now 😉

[@fabiankahwati]

Man, thanks again. Sooo helpful.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

For sure! Glad you liked it!

[@peteacip]

Awesome stuff. I’m glad I’m not the only one who system overloads lol.

[@SAIDMUSIC01]

AWESOME! Great Tips! Thanks!

[@GDRproduction2012]

Thanks man am going on my computer now to try them out

[@brianslegacy6443]

Thanks man for your efforts

[@nashvillebassist]

The reverse vocal and throw vocal tip really helped!

[@sontaydollaz]

Dude your dope. Love the vibe man

[@yubasunproductions2494]

These are actually quality tips mate, Nice job!

[@DJaliu]

I love your videos. Could you do more teaching us more voice production techniques ?

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks so much! Absolutely - was planning on doing some more vocal production videos.

[@Rob0917]

Awesome tips! 👏🏻 subbed!

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

🤩🔥🙏yo yo yo! Welcome to the fam!

[@brandtreppond2167]

Love this video. I've really been wanting to learn more vocal tricks like these. You've got a new subscriber here. I cant wait to see what else you have to share

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Love it! Thanks Brandt! Welcome to the channel fam!

[@ThisIsVersatile]

Can you share your chain and settings on this as it’s EXACTLY how I want my vocals!