The Link OC Vocal Production with Mike London

WHY DON’T MY VOCALS SOUND AS GOOD AS THE ONES I HEAR ONLINE OR ON THE RADIO??

Getting “great vocals” is difficult for many because there are so many parts to the process that, when a few are done incorrectly, it can mess up the whole vocal.

Like baking a cake, which has many layers and specific ingredients, if you leave it in the oven too long, you won’t get the cake you were hoping for.

This course is designed to instruct upcoming producers and engineers on how to achieve a professional sounding vocal.

Course Summary

Learn how to achieve a professional sounding vocal.
This course will take you through the entire process, from your setup before the singer even arrives, all the way to the final stages of mixing.

Practical and thorough, Vocal Production with Mike London also includes the actual tracking of the artist in real-time so you can better understand the process and more importantly “why” certain decisions and actions are made.

After completing this course you will be fully prepared to capture the vocal that will take your tracks and mixes to the next level …

Course Outline

Phase 1

Intro
Goal
Mental Prep
My Hardware Setup
Technical Prep
Microphone Discussion
Room and Space
Headphones and Mix

Phase 2

Track Communication
Artist Introduction
Mic Placement
Male Artist Mic Check
Male Tracking
Female Tracking
Male Vocal Comp
Female Vocal Comp
Tuning

Phase 3

Bouncedown and Gain Adjust
Vocalign
Compressors
Eq
Deessers
Reverbs
Delays
Conclusion

Lesson Summary

INTRO:
A brief introduction to the course and the instructor, Mike London. Gives a general course outline and subject matter.

GOAL:
This video takes a closer look at what your actual goals for vocal production are and perhaps what they should be. This starts building the foundation that many producers and engineers lack.

MENTAL PREP:
This video continues on building that solid foundation by looking at the preparations that should be considered and taken from the mental side. Views from the artist side and also from the engineer side.

MY HARDWARE SETUP:
This video looks at the initial signal chain and what hardware and software is used within it.

TECHNICAL PREP:
This video looks at the technical preparations for the singer. It covers preamps, compressors, EQ, and reverbs that may be used during recording and why.

MICROPHONE DISCUSSION:
This video takes a closer look at the mic itself. Discusses the common types used for vocals as well as polar patterns and other fundamentals that should be known and understood.

ROOM AND SPACE:
This video discusses the room and space where you may be recording a vocal. Evaluating what would be ideal or what you could do to help treat the space you are recording in.

HEADPHONES AND MIX:
This video looks at the all important headphone mix for the singer, the elements that are involved, and a better understanding of why we use them.

TRACK COMMUNICATION:
This video starts Phase 2 with continuing the discussion and foundation building of communication between the engineer and the artist. It also looks at how you might break up the song for digestible sections to sing and why.

ARTIST INTRODUCTION:
This video introduces our two artists participating in this video.
Joseph Luca and Maedeline

MIC PLACEMENT:
This video shows a hands-on look at mic placement with the artist as well as pop filters and better understanding of why we rely on these techniques.

MALE ARTIST MIC CHECK:
This video shows in real time the actual process of starting a tracking session. It covers the preamps, gain structure, session setup and more.

MALE TRACKING:
This video shows the recording process in real time starting with the male artist. Potential pitfalls and other tracking mistakes are discussed.

FEMALE TRACKING:
This video shows the recording process in real time of the female artist. Continued look at normal tracking dialogue and communication with an artist or group.

MALE VOCAL COMP:
This video looks at the process and art of vocal comping. What it is, why we use it, and how to do it better. We start with the male vocals.

FEMALE VOCAL COMP:
This video continues to look at the process and art of vocal comping. This video spotlights the female vocals.

TUNING:
This video dives in to the science of tuning vocals. Highlighting both Melodyne and Antares Autotune, Mike covers how to use both plugins, as well his headspace and reasons behind different tuning decisions and actions.

BOUNCEDOWN AND GAIN ADJUST:
This video begins Phase 3 with looking at bouncing down your vocal comps and also looks at gain adjustments that can be made with automation and why.

VOCALIGN:
This video takes a close look at the Vocalign plugin. It discusses how to use it, potential pitfalls, and why and when to use it in a track.

COMPRESSORS:
This video discusses the subject of Compressors and how they are used to treat vocals in a mix. Mike picks a few of his favorites and discusses why and how to use them.

EQ:
This video discusses the subject of EQ and how they are used to treat vocals in a mix. Mike picks a few of his favorites and discusses why and how to use them.

DESSER:
This video discusses the subject of DeEssers and how they are used to treat vocals in a mix. Mike picks a few of his favorites and discusses why and how to use them.

REVERBS:
This video discusses the subject of Reverbs and how they are used to treat vocals in a mix. Mike picks a few of his favorites and discusses why and how to use them.

REVERBS:
This video discusses the subject of Reverbs and how they are used to treat vocals in a mix. Mike picks a few of his favorites and discusses why and how to use them.

CONCLUSION:
This video wraps up the course with a quick refresh and some closing words and concepts. Discusses stock plugins vs 3rd party and why you need to know both.