HOW and WHY To Layer Pop Vocals! (Remote Vocal Production Tips)

In this video, Austin will show you how, when, and why you should be layering vocals in a pop song. Vocal arrangement can make or break a record, and it's important to know when to utilize certain tools and elements, what you're trying to achieve with these methods, and how to execute them in a session. Austin also goes over some of his favorite tips and methods for producing vocals for artists remotely.

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My Gear:
DAW: Cubase 11 Pro
Desk: AZ Studio Workstations
Monitors: Focal Shape 65s with Focal Sub6
Interface: UAD Apollo Twin USB
MIDI Keyboard: M-Audio Code 61
Keyboards: Roland Juno DS88, Roland Juno 106, Arturia PolyBrute
Guitars: Fender American Professional Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Taylor 214 CE Plus
Preamps: Heritage Audio HA81A & Audient ASP800
Microphones: Advanced Audio 251, Slate ML-1, Shure SM7B, JZ BH-1, JZ V67, Lauten Audio LA-320, Lauten Audio LA-220, Lauten Audio LA-120, AKG P170, Sterling ST59
Camera: Panasonic G7
Lens: Panasonic 25mm f1.7
Camera Lights: Neewer LED Light Panels

Timestamps:
Intro 0:00
Video Overview 0:17
Starting with a Vocal Demo 1:25
Fleshing Out The Arrangement to A Lyric Sheet 2:50
Starting With a Solid Lead Vocal 3:32
Double Tracked For Effect 3:58
Creating Width and Body With Unison Vocals And Panning 5:27
Introducing Harmonic Variation To Build Interest 8:15
Adding Multiple Harmony Layers 10:10
Workflow of Producing Vocals Remotely 13:25
Vocal Production Beyond The Tracked Vocals 14:45
Artificial Harmonies For Flavor and Texture 15:35
Ad Libs to Add Interest And Urgency 16:50
Fun Delay Throws and Production Flares To Finish It Off 17:59
Before Layering & Production Vs. Final 19:00
Recapping Everything 20:12
Outro 21:03

[nickvivar]

Tracked from an SM7B in my apartment :) SICK video I am so honored!

[unclemose]

12:00 Love hearing layers without the music so you can really get the FEEL of they compliment each other

[ChocolateCookieMusic]

So helpful for any genre, not just pop. Thanks for the tutorial!

[GabeWilliams]

These tutorials are so good. I love how they also provide insight into the norms of the recording process in a professional setting.

[syedsafisalam]

Austin Hull! My most favourite producer and teacher! Please make a tutorial on song sections and transition to make the sections more connected 🙏. That's where i get stuck alot. Thank you so much for creating such amazing videos. Just bought MPM Music production course and it's the best thing ever! Can't thank you enough for your help to all of us(all the music producers and lovers). Love from India❤️🇮🇳

[pbjellibean]

This is officially one of my favorite videos now. Thanks so much for sharing your workflow and how and WHY you make production decisions with vocal arrangement. This was all super duper helpful, thanks so much Austin for constantly giving aspiring music-makers quality content! 💯

[GEZZY]

good vid....can you do a tutorial on a song with just one vocal, and then how you copy it and the process in getting a big harmony sound like this using vsts and melodyne ...im sure theres loads that will find this great

[KordTaylor]

Such good advice as always. Austin rules! 👏🏻🚀💥 Nice that I can go find all these past gems on YouTube when I need them. Gonna send to my son who does a lot of remote production. ❤

[skymajr]

Bro you’re literally GOATED. I am so grateful for this channel

[TheRealSandman]

Going back to these videos to keep myself in check & make sure I'm using all this information!

[jentaro]

The man with the proper work etiquette!

[BradleyProulx]

Amazing video Austin. Just wondering if you have a tutorial explaining the processing and eq of each double and harmony etc? This video is top quality. Thankyou!

[Libra]

This vid is straight gold. Thank you brotha.

[d.m.ebeats]

The best channel I have just discovered wow wow 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️

[minstinct]

Austin, your channel is SO kick ass, dude! Possibly the #1 channel on producing. You'd have no prob getting some major sponsors if you don't already!

[ThomasPenninger]

Hey Austin! First of all thank you so much for your videos, this one was another gem!
I come from an acoustic Singer/Songwriter Background so mainly Guitar+Vocal Arrangements and I'm trying to get more into Pop music, since it really starts to resonate with me more. The thing is, these huge and dense arrangements are a bit overwhelming. I know, practice is king, but would it be possible to make a video with tips for people like me, coming from this acoustic background on how to flesh out our songs more and how to not get overwhelmed by the plethora of instruments/layers used in Pop songs? Thank you so much for all your efforts! :)

[kikon]

Without doubt the best production channel ever

[besaliju]

Halfway thru this already so informative

[moyrmixhub]

A very useful video. Thanks for sharing Austin. You both did a great job.

[ciscofuentes]

Another amazing informative video!✊🏽💯👍🏽🤙🏽