How to Add Vocals to Instrumental With a Computer
- 1). Record your vocals and the instrumental accompaniment tracks if you have not yet done so. Most audio editors include audio recording tools; some also include tools for recording MIDI-based instrumentals. Alternatively, you can use analog hardware to record the tracks and import the resulting audio files into your computer.
- 2). Open your multi-track audio recording and editing application and load the audio file containing the vocals on a track.
- 3). Load the instrumental accompaniment files on separate tracks. For example, you may have separate files containing the drums, guitars and bass. Separate files are generally preferable to a single file containing all the accompaniment parts, as this configuration allows for more options when mixing. However, it is possible to mix a vocal track with a single accompaniment track effectively.
- 4). Play back all of the tracks simultaneously to get an idea of how they sound prior to mixing. Use this opportunity to identify any issues that you need to address during the mixing process. For example, the vocal track may be too quiet, or the drums too loud. Make notes on your observations for later reference.
- 5). Set the relative volumes of each track. For example, if the drums are too loud, reduce their volume level or increase the volume of other tracks. Try to achieve a good volume balance between the different tracks so that no element is "buried" in the mix.
- 6). Use panning to place each track in its own space within the overall audio field. Lead vocals are almost always center-panned; this helps to make them the focus of the listener's attention. Drums and bass are also usually center-panned, but can be offset to one side to give the vocals room. Background vocals and other tracks are usually panned farther left or right. Maintain a good balance between left and right panning to prevent the mix from becoming lop-sided.
- 7). Create one or more copies of the vocal track, then layer them together. This gives the vocals more weight, and makes it possible to widen the space they occupy in the audio field. For example, professional producers often create two copies of the vocals. One is center-panned, while the other two are panned left and right, respectively. This gives the vocals greater prominence, lifting them above the accompaniment tracks.
- 8). Apply compression to any track with very pronounced dynamic contrasts. Most audio editors have a built-in compressor plug-in or the ability to host third-party compressor plug-ins. Compression normalizes the overall volume of a track by reducing loud sections in volume while increasing the volume of quieter sections. Generally, compression is applied to vocals, drums and percussive instruments.
- 9). Listen frequently to the mix all the way through as you work. Mixing is a labor-intensive process and can be quite taxing. Professional mixing engineers frequently complete the entire mixing process once, then leave the mix overnight before repeating the process. However, the process of mixing vocals and instrumentals is as much a creative process as it is technical. When it sounds right to you, the mixing process is complete.
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