10 Hip Hop Production Tricks You Should Know About

Summary

In this engaging video, music producers David and Robert from Barrows the Sun share 10 essential hip-hop mixing and production tricks. They demonstrate techniques to enhance drums, bass, synths, and vocals, using plugins like Torque, parallel compression, and the EMI TG12345 channel strip. The session includes creative effects with snapshot sequencers and panning, as well as tips for noise suppression and vocal layering, culminating in a professional mix with Waves' IAP pusher on the master bus.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The video features David and Robert Sun, a music production duo known as 'Barrows the Sun', sharing their mixing and production techniques.
• 🔊 They demonstrate how to enhance drum sounds using a 'torque drum tone shifter' plugin, focusing on the threshold and torque control to tighten up the sound.
• 🥁 The duo uses parallel compression to add punch and aggression to the drum mix, utilizing a famous channel strip from the 60s and 70s for a vintage effect.
• 🎹 They showcase creating bass sounds with an element virtual analog synth and adding ornamentation to keyboard parts by converting audio to MIDI for variation.
• 🎼 To add color to the music, they use a snapshot sequencer to manipulate a sound in real-time, creating a psychedelic effect with delay and pitch modulation.
• 🎤 For vocal processing, they use the 'CLA MixUp' channel strip to emulate the sound of Chris Lord-Alge's custom SSL 4k desk for a polished vocal tone.
• 🔁 They explain how to use an automatic double tracker and a pitch bender to create a fuller vocal sound, simulating multiple singers.
• 🔊 To manage background noise, they introduce the 'NS1 Noise Suppressor' plugin, which simplifies the process of reducing unwanted noise with a single fader.
• 🎶 For creative vocal effects, they use a 'ducking delay' technique combined with a compressor to ensure the delay does not interfere with the vocal clarity.
• 🎧 They incorporate panning effects and modulation to add depth and motion to the mix, using plugins like 'Briar Motion' for dynamic movement.
• 📊 Lastly, they apply mastering techniques with the 'I Am Pusher' plugin on the master bus to tighten the overall mix and add a final touch of magic to the track.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video by Barrows the Sun?

The video focuses on demonstrating various mixing and production techniques for hip-hop music, including the use of plugins and tricks to enhance different elements like drums, bass, and vocals.

How many hip-hop mixing and production tricks are shared in the video?

The video shares 10 hip-hop mixing and production tricks.

What is the first plugin technique discussed in the video for enhancing the drum sound?

The first plugin technique discussed is using the Torque Drum Tone Shifter to tighten up the drum sound by focusing on the peaks and adjusting the torque control.

What is parallel compression and how is it used in the video?

Parallel compression is a technique used to add punch and aggression to the drum sound by blending a heavily compressed version of the drums with the original, unprocessed signal.

Which famous channel strip is used in the video for adding punch to the drums?

The EMI TG12345 channel strip, which was used in heavy road studios for songs in the 60s and 70s, is used for adding punch to the drums.

What is the purpose of using the Element Virtual Analog Synth in the video?

The Element Virtual Analog Synth is used to create a wavy and electric sound effect that adds interest and variation to the music track.

How is the MIDI conversion technique used to add ornamentation to the music in the video?

The audio sample is converted into MIDI to allow for manipulation and variation of the chords, which can then be further processed with effects like the Snapshot Sequencer for a unique sound.

What is the CLA MixUp channel strip used for in the video?

The CLA MixUp channel strip is used to shape the sound of the vocals, providing a polished and professional tone during the recording process.

How does the video address the issue of background noise in the recording?

The NS1 Noise Suppressor plugin is used to reduce background noise, such as from an air conditioner, with a simple one-fader adjustment for real-time recording.

What is the purpose of using the Real ADT2 plugin in the video?

The Real ADT2 plugin is used to create an automatic double tracking effect on the vocals, which thickens the sound and gives the illusion of multiple vocal tracks.

How does the video utilize the I Am Pusher plugin on the master bus?

The I Am Pusher plugin is used to enhance the overall mix by locking in the lows and adding a final touch of magic to bring the track together.