From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Doubling the vocal

Doubling the vocal

From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Doubling the vocal

The technique of doubling the lead vocal has been used for as long as there has been multi-track recorders. The Beatles did it way back when they were using only four track magnetic tape, and really didn't have a track to spare, which tells you how powerful the tool can be. Let's take a look at some of the doubling tricks that you can use. Doubling a vocal means having the singer sing the exact same line or phrase twice and playing back both parts. It works for two reasons. It makes a vocal sound stronger, and it masks any pitch inconsistencies. To get a really tight double track or strengthen the primary vocal track, have the singer listen to the song a section at a time, then try to sing exactly the same nuances. Keep the original part a bit higher in the headphones, so the vocalist can hear it when he or she is off. (music playing) Every time she varies from the part, stop and have the vocalist re-sing it and punch only that part in. (music playing) If the singer has some pitch…

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