In this article and tutorial, Grammy-winning producer and engineer Dom Morley, shares how to prepare your mix for vocals, how to make space in the mix for vocals, and what initial EQ and compression decisions to make to start getting your vocals to sit well in the mix.
Although Dom is using various iZotope products including Nectar Pro, Neutron Pro, and Neoverb Pro a lot of the principles and tips he shares apply to whatever plugins you choose to use.
Video Tutorial Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Static balance set up
01:10 - The 2K EQ carving trick
03:35 - Unmasking with Nectar Pro
05:50 - Unmasking with Neutron Pro
07:45 - Exploring EQ moves across the session
10:08 - Using Neoverb Pro’s Reverb Assistant
12:24 - Using Neutron Pro’s Exciter on horns
12:54- Backing Vocal treatment with Nectar Pro
15:55 - EQ-ing the lead vocal
19:44 - Compressing the lead vocal
21:16 - De-ssing the lead vocal
21:31 - Using Nectar Pro’s Vocal Assistant as a starting point
23:38 - Outro
Learn More About Vocals From Dom Morley
You can learn more about Dom’s working practices with his course ‘Everything You Need To Know About Recording Vocals’, a course featuring 25 episodes in which he unpacks the secrets to getting great vocals. Morley is well placed to make such a claim, having recorded world-class vocalists including; Adele, Amy Winehouse, Dionne Warwick, Shakira, 50 Cent, Rag’n’Bone Man, Richard Ashcroft and Sting. Morley also won a grammy for his work on the iconic Amy Winehouse album Back to Black.
The course is designed to answer many questions including…
How do you use tempo and pitch for emotional impact?
Should you EQ and compress at the recording stage?
How do you help a singer to perform at their very best?
When should you copy and paste the chorus, and when should you not?
Learn More About iZotope Plugins
If you are interested in trying the iZopte plugins Dom uses in this tutorial, then you can sign up for a free trial of iZotope’s Music Production Suite Pro.