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Jay Picasso

Unlock the full potential of your home studio with our comprehensive course, "Mastering Vocal Mixing: From Recording to Radio-Ready." Designed specifically for home-based producers, this course offers an in-depth exploration of the vocal production process, ensuring your tracks achieve professional-grade quality.

Course Highlights:

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Unlock the full potential of your home studio with our comprehensive course, "Mastering Vocal Mixing: From Recording to Radio-Ready." Designed specifically for home-based producers, this course offers an in-depth exploration of the vocal production process, ensuring your tracks achieve professional-grade quality.

Course Highlights:

  1. Recording Excellence: Learn to set up your microphone, develop effective techniques, capture compelling vocal takes, and master the art of vocal layering.

  2. Precision Comping: Discover the classic comping method, techniques for cleaning vocals, time-stretching, flexing vocals, and managing breath control.

  3. Advanced Editing: Understand the differences between Auto-Tune and pitch correction, and delve into tools like Flex Pitch (exclusive to Logic X) and Melodyne.

  4. Professional Mixing: Gain proficiency in EQ, compression, layering, panning, and applying effects such as reverb and delay to create a polished sound.

By the end of this course, your vocal recordings will be polished and ready for radio or broadcast. You'll be equipped with the modern tools and techniques required to excel in any recording environment.

Additional Benefits:

  • Flexible Learning: Complete the course at your own pace, typically within 1-2 weeks, depending on your experience level.

  • Lifetime Access: Enjoy lifetime access to all course materials, allowing you to revisit and refine your skills anytime.

  • Community Support: Join our exclusive Facebook forum to connect with fellow students, share your work, and receive constructive feedback.

  • Supplementary Resources: Access additional tutorials and resources upon request to further enhance your learning experience.

Elevate your home productions to professional standards. Enroll today and transform your vocal mixing skills.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Record quality vocals.
  • Mix quality vocals.
  • Edit quality vocals.
  • Prepare vocals tracks for radio, spotify, itunes, podcasting, voice over, film & television.
  • Apply advance techniques to record & mix with confidence in any modern recording studio.

Syllabus

How to record Vocals in the best possible way, no matter your environment or microphone.
Microphone Techniques
Introduction

You will learn how to: Setup your microphone to record the best sound possible

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You will learn how to: Get the best vocal performance out of your vocalist

You will learn how to: Record and organise multiple vocal takes to structure.

You will learn how to: Effectively capture vocal layers to enhance your Song.

You will learn how to: Competently Apply the Classic Comping Method to your recordings.

You will learn how to: collect all the best parts of the vocal take, and begin the comping process.

You will learn how to: Adjust Your vocals to alignment and accurately edit the timing of your vocals.

You will learn how to: Accurately cut out unwanted breaths, and learn how to ‘treat’ those breaths you want to keep.

You will learn how to: Apply auto tune or pitch corrector to your vocals in order to achieve an effect.

You will learn how to: Apply flex pitch or Melodyne to your vocals. How to edit, extend and separate notes.

You will learn how to: Correctly EQ your vocal comps. Allowing you to maximise their effectiveness within your mix.

You will learn how to: Correctly EQ your vocal comps. Allowing you to maximise their effectiveness within your mix.

You will learn how to: Maximize the volume of your vocals and increase their impact in your mix.

You will learn how to: Place vocals in the mix. Learning how to utilize the dynamic space within your tracks.

You will learn how to: Apply the secrets of the pro’s by adding effects to your vocals and how to create new and exciting effect that will evolve your tracks to the next level.

You will learn how to: Apply reverb correctly to your Vocals.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers techniques for capturing compelling vocal takes and mastering the art of vocal layering, which are essential for creating professional-sounding recordings in a home studio environment
Explores the differences between Auto-Tune and pitch correction, and delves into tools like Flex Pitch and Melodyne, which are industry-standard tools for vocal editing
Teaches how to apply effects such as reverb and delay to create a polished sound, which is a crucial skill for achieving a professional-grade vocal mix
Covers microphone techniques to record the best sound possible, regardless of the recording environment or microphone, which is useful for those with limited resources
Features Flex Pitch, which is exclusive to Logic X, so learners will need access to this specific software to fully utilize this aspect of the course
Teaches how to apply auto-tune or pitch correction to vocals in order to achieve a desired effect, which is a common practice in modern music production

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive vocal production workflow

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive guide covering the entire vocal production workflow, from recording to editing and mixing. Learners highlight the practicality of the techniques taught, finding them highly actionable for home studio environments. The course is praised for its clear explanations of core mixing concepts like EQ and compression, which many found easy to grasp and apply. The instructor is generally viewed positively, described as knowledgeable and easy to follow. While providing a solid foundation, some learners noted that the course is primarily demonstrated using Logic Pro X, which might require users of other Digital Audio Workstations to adapt the lessons. A few felt it could benefit from more depth for truly advanced users. Overall, it's considered a valuable resource, particularly for beginners and intermediate producers looking to elevate their vocal recordings.
Excellent foundation but less depth.
"Great starting point for vocal mixing..."
"For more advanced techniques, you might need another resource..."
"Solid fundamentals, but not expert-level depth."
Primarily uses Logic Pro X examples.
"Examples are mostly in Logic Pro X, which was okay for me..."
"Users of other DAWs might need to adapt the techniques..."
"Wish there were more universal examples or Pro Tools/Ableton."
Instructor is knowledgeable and clear.
"The instructor is easy to follow and very knowledgeable..."
"Great teaching style..."
"Enjoyed the instructor's approach."
Concepts like EQ/comp are clear.
"The explanations of EQ and compression were particularly clear..."
"Finally understood how to use compression effectively..."
"Helped me grasp the core mixing principles."
Actionable tips for home studios.
"Highly practical tips I could use right away in my home studio..."
"Focuses on real-world techniques..."
"Gave me actionable steps to improve my vocals."
Learn the complete vocal workflow.
"The course takes you from start to finish..."
"I appreciated how it covers recording, editing, and mixing..."
"This course really ties together the entire vocal production workflow."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Record, Edit & Mix Vocals with these activities:
Review Basic Acoustics
Reviewing basic acoustics will help you understand microphone placement and room treatment, leading to better initial vocal recordings.
Browse courses on Acoustics
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on sound waves and their behavior.
  • Review the impact of room dimensions and materials on sound.
  • Take a short quiz to test your understanding of acoustics principles.
Read 'Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio'
Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of mixing principles, especially in a home studio setting, complementing the course's mixing module.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on EQ and compression.
  • Experiment with the techniques described in your DAW.
  • Take notes on key concepts and apply them to your vocal mixes.
EQ Practice on Vocal Tracks
Practicing EQ on various vocal tracks will improve your ability to shape the sound and maximize clarity, directly addressing a key skill taught in the mixing module.
Show steps
  • Download or record several different vocal tracks.
  • Use an EQ plugin to identify and correct problem frequencies.
  • Compare your EQ'd track to the original and note the improvements.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read 'The Art of Mixing: A Visual Guide to Recording, Engineering, and Production'
This book provides a visual approach to mixing, helping you understand the spatial aspects of vocal placement and how vocals interact with other instruments.
View The Art of Mixing on Amazon
Show steps
  • Study the visual representations of mixing concepts.
  • Apply the spatial mixing techniques to your vocal mixes.
  • Experiment with different panning and reverb settings.
Create a Vocal Mixing Tutorial
Creating a tutorial will solidify your understanding of the entire vocal mixing process, from recording to final mix, by forcing you to articulate and demonstrate the techniques.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific vocal mixing technique to explain.
  • Record a video or write a blog post demonstrating the technique.
  • Share your tutorial with the course community for feedback.
Mix a Full Song with Vocals
Mixing a full song provides a practical application of all the skills learned in the course, from recording and editing to mixing and mastering.
Show steps
  • Find a multitrack song with vocals to mix.
  • Apply the recording, editing, and mixing techniques learned in the course.
  • Get feedback on your mix from other musicians or engineers.
Explore Advanced Vocal Production Tutorials
Following advanced tutorials will expose you to techniques beyond the scope of the course, pushing your skills and creativity further.
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on specific vocal effects or techniques.
  • Follow along with the tutorial and apply the techniques to your own vocals.
  • Experiment with variations of the techniques to create your own unique sound.

Career center

Learners who complete Record, Edit & Mix Vocals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Audio Engineer
An Audio Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of a recording or live performance. This can involve everything from setting up microphones to mixing and mastering the final track. This course helps build a foundation for capturing excellent vocal takes, precision comping, advanced editing, and professional mixing. The course will also be useful to those who want to learn how to apply EQ and compression, layer vocals, and apply effects like reverb and delay to create a polished sound. An aspiring Audio Engineer will benefit from the course’s emphasis on modern tools and techniques required to excel in any recording environment.
Music Producer
A Music Producer oversees the entire music production process, from songwriting to the final master. This role requires a strong understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of music production. This course directly helps a Music Producer by covering vocal recording, editing, and mixing techniques. The content on comping, Auto-Tune, pitch correction, EQ, compression, layering, and effects will be particularly valuable. This course will allow a Music Producer to achieve professional-grade quality in their vocal tracks, making their productions stand out. Aspiring Music Producers will find this course essential for mastering the intricacies of vocal production.
Mixing Engineer
A Mixing Engineer specializes in blending all the individual tracks of a recording into a cohesive and polished final mix. This course may be extremely useful for a Mixing Engineer by offering specialized knowledge in vocal mixing. It helps build an understanding of EQ, compression, layering, panning, and effects such as reverb and delay. The skills learned will allow a Mixing Engineer to create radio-ready tracks. The course’s focus on practical techniques and modern tools will enable a Mixing Engineer to enhance their skills and deliver professional-quality mixes.
Recording Engineer
A Recording Engineer is responsible for capturing high-quality audio during recording sessions. This involves microphone setup, vocal layering, and ensuring optimal sound levels. This course may be extremely useful for a Recording Engineer, providing specific techniques to record quality vocals, capture compelling vocal takes, and master vocal layering. The lessons on microphone techniques and capturing vocal takes are invaluable for anyone looking to become a Recording Engineer. Learning how to record vocals in the best way, no matter the environment or microphone, will prove useful in any recording studio.
Vocal Editor
A Vocal Editor specializes in cleaning up and perfecting vocal tracks. This includes tasks such as pitch correction, time alignment, and removing unwanted noises. This course may be extremely useful for a Vocal Editor, providing in-depth knowledge of precision comping, time-stretching, vocal flexing, and managing breath control. The content on Auto-Tune, pitch correction, Flex Pitch, and Melodyne is directly relevant to the work of a Vocal Editor. This course will allow a Vocal Editor to refine their skills and produce polished, professional-sounding vocal tracks.
Podcast Producer
A Podcast Producer oversees the creation of podcasts, from recording and editing to mixing and distribution. Since podcasts often rely heavily on spoken word and vocals, this course may be extremely useful for a Podcast Producer. The skills learned in setting up microphones, capturing compelling vocal takes, and mastering vocal layering are highly relevant. The editing, comping, and mixing techniques taught will help a Podcast Producer create professional-sounding episodes. Preparing vocals tracks for podcasting is one of the explicit objectives, which makes this course a great fit for a Podcast Producer.
Audio Post Production Specialist
An Audio Post Production Specialist refines and enhances audio after a film or television show has been shot. The skills learned in this course may be extremely useful for an Audio Post Production Specialist, covering precision comping, advanced editing, and professional mixing. This specialist enhances the audio quality of a project, making the course a great fit. Preparing vocal tracks for film and television is one of the explicit learning objectives.
Voice-Over Artist
A Voice Over Artist provides voice recordings for various media, such as commercials, animations, and audiobooks. While this role primarily involves performance, understanding recording and editing techniques can greatly enhance the quality of their work and the range of services they offer. This course may be useful for a Voice Over Artist by providing valuable knowledge of microphone techniques, recording setup, and vocal editing. The skills in capturing vocal takes, cleaning vocals, and applying pitch correction will help a Voice Over Artist produce professional-grade recordings. Preparing vocal tracks for voice over is one of the learning objectives.
Film Sound Designer
A Film Sound Designer creates and manipulates audio for films, including dialogue, sound effects, and music. The skills learned in this course may be helpful to a Film Sound Designer, teaching how to record, edit, and mix quality vocals for film. The advanced techniques taught in this course may assist them to record confidently in any modern recording studio. This course may be prove useful, as preparing vocal tracks for film and television is one of the explicit objectives.
Content Creator
A Content Creator produces various types of digital content, such as videos, music, and audio productions. For content that involves vocals, this course may be helpful to a Content Creator in improving the quality of their audio. The skills in recording, editing, and mixing vocals will allow a Content Creator to add a professional touch to their projects. The course’s practical approach and focus on modern tools make it valuable for anyone looking to enhance their audio production skills. This course may assist in preparing vocal tracks for iTunes.
Mastering Engineer
A Mastering Engineer is the final set of ears on a track, responsible for fine-tuning the overall sound and ensuring it translates well across different playback systems. While this course focuses on vocal mixing, the skills in EQ, compression, and overall sound aesthetics may be helpful to a Mastering Engineer. Understanding how vocals are treated in the mixing stage can inform decisions made during mastering. This course provides insight into the modern tools and techniques used in vocal production, which can enhance the work of a Mastering Engineer.
Live Sound Engineer
A Live Sound Engineer manages the audio for live performances, ensuring that the sound is clear and balanced for the audience. While this course focuses on studio recording and mixing, the principles of EQ, compression, and effects application learned may be useful to a Live Sound Engineer. Understanding how to treat vocals effectively can contribute to a better overall live sound experience. This course provides a foundation in vocal production techniques that can be adapted for live environments. Additional knowledge about microphone setup and placement can translate to live sound.
Musical Director
A Musical Director leads and coordinates the musical aspects of a performance or recording project. While this role often focuses on the overall musical arrangement, understanding vocal production techniques can be valuable. This course may be helpful to a Musical Director by providing insights into capturing compelling vocal takes, precision comping, and advanced editing. The knowledge gained will enable them to better communicate their vision to singers and engineers. The skills of applying auto tune and pitch correction to vocals may also prove useful.
Arranger
An Arranger adapts existing musical works for different ensembles or styles. While this role focuses on the overall arrangement, understanding vocal production techniques can be valuable. This course may be helpful to an Arranger by providing insights into capturing compelling vocal takes, precision comping, and advanced editing. The knowledge gained will enable them to better communicate their vision to singers and engineers.
Acoustic Consultant
An Acoustic Consultant advises on sound and noise control in various environments. While this role is highly technical, understanding the nuances of vocal recording and mixing can be beneficial in certain situations. While seemingly unrelated, the skills learned in this course may be helpful to an Acoustic Consultant. This course may give them insights into how different recording environments and microphone techniques can affect vocal quality. While this course does not directly impact their responsibilities, it may provide context for acoustics in recording environments.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Record, Edit & Mix Vocals.
Compilation of articles from Sound on Sound magazine, focusing on mixing techniques and strategies. It offers a wide range of perspectives from experienced mixing engineers. It valuable resource for students who want to learn from a variety of sources and explore different approaches to mixing, providing a broader understanding of the field.
Offers a unique visual approach to understanding mixing concepts, making it accessible to beginners. It covers a wide range of topics, including EQ, compression, and spatial effects, with clear illustrations and explanations. It is particularly useful for visual learners and those who want to develop a strong foundation in mixing principles, supplementing the course's practical focus.

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