How to Mix Vocals with Parallel Processing

How to route and mix vocals w/ aux tracks when you want multiple layers of parallel processing.

Software/Plugins:
- Avid Pro Tools
- UAD Plugins
- FabFilter Pro-Q Equalizer
- Waves Vocal Rider
- UAD Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder

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Transcript Exerpts:

Today is about aux tracks for greater control when doing parallel processing. Today is lead vocal, then I'll do more on bass, kick, snare.

We've got lead vocal level. I'm setting this lead vocal track, processing it with some EQ, some compression, and that's going out to a lead vocal level.

The lead vocal level is here, and that's getting treated with EQ, compression. I'm parallel compressing it, and if you look at parallel compression lead p-comp is sent out to the lead vocal level, so the dry and parallel compression are meeting at the last chain of processing. But more importantly, level between parts.

Let's solo her vocal and mute the parallel chain. Now I'm going to un-mute the parallel chain. Then we've got the Manny Marroquin plugin. Got the Manny EQ and I'm using that after all of that compression to bring some classiness, some air. Then Waves Vocal Rider. I'll side chain the music to the vocals so that I can keep the vocal on top. I've given the lead vocal quite a bit of love when it comes to automation there. So that's impacting how that signal gets sent into the compressors, as well as the parallel compression.

All vocals, drums, percussion, low-end, all music, and the only two getting compression are the all drums and then I'm treating the music a different way with the slate stuff.

I wanted the drums to be heard more than the music so I dipped the music out at that one little section. On this song I didn't do what I normally do, which is drop the overall level by one dB, and then pull up at the pre-chorus by half a dB, and then pull up for the chorus back to zero. Between the pre section you've got some percussion, production, drums and strings.

[sacasticus]

A lot of great ideas here. never would have thought of a separate music bus to accent the drums. Love it.

[proaudiofiles]

Excited to share our first mixing tutorial from David Glenn. 

He breaks down a useful way of mixing and routing vocals when you want multiple layers of parallel processing.

[KevinLambguitar]

I listened to the entire track. It is brilliant. From the writing to the finished product I agree with you - it is incredible. It should have been a huge hit. Maybe it still will be....

[mrmac]

Great stuff man really helps used to send the parellel to the all vocals submix but i could hear the difference again man excellent tutorial

[IntheDAW]

this idea for combining the lead and the parallel is really nice

[Diro]

Great video!!! Can David expand more on his routing (all drums, all vocals, all fx, low end, hi end, etc...) and on his processing on last busses, please?

[karmalord]

Cool, sounds like a Latino Disney song for a movie!

[samencarnacion]

Just awesome David!!! You're amazing!!!

[davoncorbett]

Really liked that vocal sound!! Wish you would've shown the other settings you had on the other plugins too (I know it's not all about settings) but it would at least help me get on the right track for the vocal sound I want in this song I'm recording right now

[Yarobikes]

Great video! One thing, though. I don't think that volume automation is impacting the signal being sent to the compressors on the automated vocal track, because volume automation is post-insert. Automating clip gain would do it. Clip gain = pre-insert, volume automation = post-insert.

[dwaynedelario]

Cool video.  Just an FYI, the volume automation on your vocal track with the audio on it is not affecting the compressors on that track, inserts are prefader on audio and aux tracks  :)

[Japsem]

Hey man nice video. What is you 2bus effect here. thanks

[francojuanca]

Hi! Thanks for the video. I have one question. Considering your Parallel Compression setup, how can you listen just your compressed signal? I was thinking about setting the Send as Pre-Fader, so you can listen just your compressed signal if you turn the original track volume down. Otherwise, you'll have to listen always to the mixed signal (original + compressed). Thank you, in advance, for your help and attention.

[utubehound]

Hey Great uploads lately I wish I had something like you tube, when I started all I had was cassette decks recording L then R Chn Two Trx Then a 4 trk Then a VS1680 now Pro Tools 9 on a Mac, I had to learn the Hard way lol, guys have it made today w/Great Tutorials like this no excuse to not make Top Quality Recordings. Home Recording is catching on, so I'm down grading I have 8 chn Mic Pre Rack mount w/Optical & ADAT out via S/dif or Optical, & a Project Mix I/O Surface Controller & also don't need my Great Drum mic's anymore Any one interested let me know.

[joeyxl]

Thanks for the video David. I'm just wondering, are those Ld PComp and the Ld Voc Lvl tracks mono or stereo?. Thanks again.

[PrettyLady]

super cool video! btw, what is the name of the song and the female singer please? can't hear or understand anything mea mos - Samantha . . . . ? thanks.

[jjboogie]

By the way I'd love to hear his explanation of the treatment of his sub master buss. :-) Thanks!

[BobbyWashingtonMusic]

how do I record my screen with stereo audio so I could share my mixes and help pestle like you do? I'm using screen cast omatic but it only records from my mic not internally from left and right speaker.

[i.AmHymn]

#NiceTut! 💯
#GREATSinger! 🎧 🎶

Hymn

[donek]

This process is also called the Exciting Compressor. It was pioneered by Motown in the 1960's. Just search for Exciting Compressor .