Do you ever find yourself fighting to create more space for your vocals to sit?
The vocal is more often than not the most important element of any mix. The vocals tell the story… They communicate the message…. And…They are also one of the most difficult things to get right when mixing.
Fortunately, there are several techniques that you can use right now to help your vocals to sit on top.
Here are 5 simple techniques that I rely on every mix:
1. Don’t put anything except the vocal down the center of the mix.
I know, I know… That probably isn’t the most practical solution being that in modern music we try to fit as many tracks into a song as possible. But this is by far the easiest solution. If there isn’t anything centered with the vocal, then there is no competition. 
2. Only put the kick, snare, bass and vocal down the center of the mix.
How’s that for a compromise? Instead of cramming guitars, keys, synths, and whatever else down the center channel of the mix, try to limit what goes down the middle to these 4 elements. These instruments (kick, snare, bass, vocal) will typically each have their own sonic space naturally, so it becomes less of a fight for dominance.
3. Reduce 800hz through about 2 khz on your music elements down the center channel.
The frequency range I’ve described is often the “sweet spot” for a vocal. By boosting a few db here on your vocal and cutting the same range on your music tracks, you will find that the vocal will sit better and be heard more clearly. (See image below)
Reductive EQ applied to the frequency range of 800hz through 2khz to music tracks panned center can help a vocal to sit nicely!
4. Mix your vocals FIRST
I have been doing this for several years now. Not only will I start a mix by pushing up the volume of the lead vocal, but I will generally work the chorus to sound great, then work backwards from there. What I find by doing this is that I get the vocal up the loudest and build things around that level, as opposed to mixing the drums, bass, music, etc and then trying to plop the vocal on top. I’ve done it… It can work… But you better keep some migraine meds nearby.
5. Wavesfactory TrackSpacer [Video]
Hopefully these techniques will help you to create more space for the all important vocal tracks in your next mix. Do you have another technique that you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
P.S. Basic EQ and compression techniques are vital to mixing any instrument, let alone vocals. If you are struggling to mix your vocals the way you hear them in your head, check out my training series called “Mixing Vocals”. I’ve packed this course with over 5 hours of video training in addition to the included session files so you can practice on the same vocals that I use to teach with.
Comments 3
You recently sent me an article entitled “5 Techniques…” Items #1 and #2 are confusing, and appear contradictory. Your tips are very helpful, but this one has me confused. Please clarify. Here are the headings of the 2 items:
1. Don’t put anything except the vocal down the center of the mix.
2. Only put the kick, snare, bass and vocal down the center of the mix.
Thank you,
Clark
In the early days of stereo, it was common to put the entire drum kit on lets say, the left side only. Maybe the Bass only on the right, and all the other instruments on the left or the right. That left nothing in the middle but the vocals. That would be #1
Option #2, is saying to go ahead and put the Bass and the Kick, as well as the Vocals in the center. Then all other instruments and sounds panned hard Left or Right. LCR (Left-Center-Right) panning it’s called.
Not contradictory, but each of the examples He gave use the Center of the stereo spectrum more and more.
Hope this helps.
Thank you very much I love the video. I have purchased the mix vocals but the EQ’s that you use in the video I don’t have. Can you show me one of your videos when you use in the waves plugins. But one day I will get the plugins or win it because I like the EQ .