How Charlie Puth Makes His Vocals SPOTIFY READY

Summary

The script provides guidance on recording clean vocal takes for a song. It focuses on getting a solid recording of the most difficult vocal part - an octave jump on the phrase 'hopes up.' The instructor demonstrates splitting the phrase into individual words, singing each part separately in different tonalities and distances from the microphone. After comping together a clean 'hopes up,' thicker backing vocals are layered for blend and depth. The goal is creating cohesive, emotive vocals through meticulous tracking of multiple takes to achieve a flawless final recording.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with the most difficult vocal part first and break it up to get it as clean as possible
• 🎤 Sing parts closer and farther from the mic like Michael Jackson did for blend
• 🎹 Delete unused playlists and mute instruments for clean vocals
• 🤖 Use auto-tune for pitch but get takes as clean as possible first
• 🎶 Copy and paste processed vocals to layers for efficiency
• 😮‍💨 Get air and character voices on layers for blend and excitement
• 🔉 Turn down lows on softened layers for clarity in the mix
• 🏁 Have a final vocal in mind to stay motivated even with raw production
• 🎚 Groups of processed layers sound more cohesive than tuning one take
• 💯 Use all modern resources because classic artists would with tape

Q & A

What is the main goal when recording vocals?

The main goal is to get the vocals as clean and tight sounding as possible before adding effects like auto-tune. This requires focusing on the most difficult parts first and potentially splitting up words and syllables to nail the performance.

Why does the singer split up the lyric "hopes up"?

Splitting up the lyric gives more flexibility to get a clean take, especially for the big jump between notes. It also allows blending different takes that capture different qualities of the voice.

How can singing farther from the mic help with a vocal take?

Singing farther from the mic changes the tone and character of the voice slightly. Layering a mix of close and far takes makes the final vocals sound fuller and more natural.

Why tune vocals to specific notes even if auto-tune will be used?

It's best to get the raw vocals as in tune as possible. This gives auto-tune the best starting point to work from. Manual tuning also allows more control compared to fully automated tuning.

What's the benefit of comping vocals from multiple takes?

Comping combines the best parts of multiple takes. Some takes capture different qualities, so layering them builds a better final performance than any single take could capture.

How can altering your voice help capture variety in vocal layers?

Subtly altering tone and character, as if taking on a different singing voice, adds more uniqueness across layers. This helps them blend together more naturally.

Why tune backup layers less than the lead vocal?

The lead vocal carries the main melody so it needs to be the most in tune. Backup layers provide more texture and atmosphere, so heavy tuning would make them sound unnatural.

What's the benefit of printing manual tuning instead of relying solely on auto-tune?

Manual tuning allows more precision and control. Printed tuning changes the original performance, giving auto-tune an improved starting point so it sounds more natural.

How can reverb settings differ across vocal layers?

Reverb can vary per layer to capture different spaces and qualities. For example, backing layers use more reverb for a distant, airy sound compared to an upfront lead vocal.

Why is comping from multiple takes useful even for minor corrections?

Even small pitch inconsistencies can degrade a vocal performance. Comping ensures every syllable lands flawlessly, exceeding the quality of any single take.