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.

About Your Tutor

Mike London is a writer/producer/mixer based in the Los Angeles and Orange County. With over 12 years of experience, he’s worked under producers like Tal Herzberg (Black Eyed Peas, Mary J Blige, Pussy Cat Dolls) and Chico Bennett (Britney Spears, Hillary Duff, Nelly Furtado) along with several others.

His ability to play multiple instruments (piano, guitar, bass , drums, etc.) and understanding of music theory, allows him to incorporate that musicality into his production and his vocal production with singers.

He has a passion for teaching and openness for sharing important lessons and tips that have helped him build his career.

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 …

~ Mike London

Course Outline

Intro

Phase 1

• 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.

Lesson Summary

• 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.

Lesson Summary

• 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.