Hey Greg! Im listening to Sweet Low Afterglow right now. This has got to be one of my fav songs, im just wondering how you made those vocals sound so tender but so honky at the same time. Did you edit out the breaths and processed them different tho? Idk if its already been done, if not then I'd like to see how you edit your tracks before mixing, especially vocals and drums.

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! That soft-but-pointy vocal tone is in the delivery, we actually sing like that. The softness comes from the near-whisper volume. The honk comes from making sure our tone stays bright and resonant as if we were belting. That combo is actually REALLY hard to pull off, most soft singers get throaty and/or breathy, they lose the midrange. Inspiration: Bee Gees, Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick. From there, I tracked with a LOT of clipping from the Omega preamp, judicious sculpting with Axis, and heavy buss squeeze from Novatron. I group Sarah and me separately and automate the group balances for drama. In those choruses, you’re gearing 4 part harmony, me on low, her on high, both of us on the middle 2 , everything doubled and panned out. So… 12 voices stacked floor to ceiling and wall to wall, but nothing hard pan or center. Drums and bass inside , synths and guitars outside. Panning is a massive part of the vibe. 🙂

@BrandonShere

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHouseofKushTV What's the max value of the panning on the harmonies? 90? And this mix is heavenly!

@boris_ev

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHouseofKushTV Thank you so much for sharing!

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

I mixed that tune in Logic , which pans from -64 to 63 (because it's 1992 and midi should still control your panning, apparently). Anyway, in that scheme, vox tend to max out at +/-60. So probably closer to +/-93 on a +/-100 scale.

@66fitton

2 жыл бұрын

As always...great stuff!! Thought provoking and relevant to our core!! Love that basic human conditions are part of your lessons! Lol It's all valid and good to keep in mind if you're recording and mixing music. Gonna definitely try the 1/4 note delay high passed st 600... Just imagining that has me buzzin.... Cheers!

Jesus... I came here for the mixing advice, I stayed for the charisma and mesmerising way of speaking (and the mixing advice).

@TapRiot

19 күн бұрын

Me too! 😂😂

THIS IS A VOCAL MASTERCLASS

@jensharald9091

2 жыл бұрын

This video is a lot of really great things

@jwarzy72

2 жыл бұрын

It’s better

@ignaciojauregui7423

2 жыл бұрын

every video in this channel is pure gold

I’ve spent decades learning this game. Pay attention to this man, he speaks experienced, artistic truths.

@joshfrench6426

Жыл бұрын

Really is one of the best on KZread

My notes from this insightful video (thanx!): Try turning off the vocal until 60 % - 70 % of the mix is done. Doing that, leave out some space around 2.5 kHz. Some advice on the subject of "Clarity vs. Volume on vocal", as it is matters more when you start with just the instruments: 1. Somewhere around 2 - 3 kHz the main clarity zone lives, as it helped our ancestors to survive without internet pornography for all those years. 2. 1 dB or more on 800 Hz - adding old-school mid-range. This puts the vocal in front of the mix and gives it a little more of that 2 - 3 kHz kind of clarity (the range we, modern man, still hear so good, as human evolution will take a long time to "tone down" the unnecessary). 3. Delay, stereo spread to 1st quarter note after and 2nd somewhere ± 5/10/20 ms. The dude typically panned it closer to the center, but it might work better otherwise. Add a Low-Pass set around 600 Hz, the thing should sound pretty dark once you do - it gives "a warm, wet, kind of gluing thing" to the vocal. 4. On reverb: a) To see how much you can get away with while keeping the vocal intelligible and to grasp the flow of effects-dry relationships as such: 1) add reverb and send 100% wet out from it to a separate channel; 2) set it to the level at which you are starting to hear it; 3) try making the reverb just a bit longer and the vocal just a bit quieter as far you can with the vocal line still intelligible. b) Most of the time mixes generally benefit from having some kind of reflection pattern that serves as content for the sound. A lot of times, emulation of small spaces is used for that. c) 1 or 2 reverbs are typically enough. Better to be subtle with it, unless the idea is that it should be heard.

@simon_patterson

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@felixmarques

Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@stefanropotean

5 ай бұрын

Thank you chat GPT

There I was, already asleep in bed on a rare early night. Then my eyes abruptly opened (just like in the movies), I got straight up and went downstairs, looked at my browser and intuitively just went straight to KZread. And there it was staring right at me... a new Kush After Hours on mixing vocals. Just as I am in the middle of, um, mixing some troublesome vocals on a project. Thanks again, Wizard.

@robshrock-shirakbari1862

2 жыл бұрын

And great tip on using the Clariphonic directly on the vocal! I’ve been using it on the 2-buss with great success; but your tip looks like it may replace a vocal top-end parallel bus 5 plug-ins deep. This sounds better. Just step through the 4 stages to find what’s needed and set Clarity to taste. Simple and done.

@thegroove2000

2 жыл бұрын

I am not afiliated with this compnay at all. Im in the process of testing this out as it seems interesting.

@disectormusic

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha made my day

Sir, at first I wrote you off as being some hair-dressed, full-of-yourself, egomaniac. Now I see you for what you really are: A decent man, helping people to create beautiful art. I really appreciate your videos which remind us why we got into music in the first place.

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

It's possible I'm a bit of 'all of the above', but I try to keep a level head and give the decent guy the most space to do his thing 😛

@TheSonicDeviant

2 жыл бұрын

Well, I’m anti-hipster. My hipster radar is very finely tuned. And from day one I’ve had nothing but a genuine vibe from this man and this channel. Keep on keeping on! Greetings from Aberdeen Scotland!

@meshglider

2 жыл бұрын

listen to his podcast Ubk happy funtime hour, its a real guy with knowledge having fun sharing, great to listen too on long journeys

@JayTheLane

Жыл бұрын

Hard dressed.. 🤣

Two great KZread tutor on mixing and sound I've found Gregory Scott Dan Worrall These ppl are GOAT

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

Dan is the shit, no doubt about it.

kush is the only notification i’ll click this fast for

Gregory Scott you are the ultimate WIZARD 🧙‍♂️

As a biologist I can really appreciate your evolutionary perspective! never thought of it in that way. We needed to understand each other in both the open field and in caves. So counter- intuitivly reverbs can actually help to understand! That is an eye opener!

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

Right on! It’s also about reality aligning with expectations. If the ‘space’ of a mix has cave-like properties, and the voice is too dry (or vice versa), we’ll not only experience it as disconnected, we’ll likely feel unsettled, we intuit that something isn’t right. Raising someone’s hackles is maybe not the ideal strategy for endearing them to the work 😜

@dubkonnection3420

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHouseofKushTV thanks

@iam-music

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately its more evidence of devolution :-(

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

@@iam-music If you're looking for evidence of something --- whatever that something may be --- you'll find it. 🕺🏻

@Art_Of_Sound

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHouseofKushTV the guys with the funny hats must have found the evidence...whip it good ;-) "We are not men...we are..." I spent too much time at the online gene accountant...tells am interesting maths story :-) Unfortunately (devo)olution is not religion/evidence...its a decremental state. Loved your tracks btw.

I can't even imagine mixing vocals first. I never thought mixing vocals first was even a thing. I'll go back under my rock.

definitely agree with you here. having vocals as the central element of a mix might be a pop music thing, idk, but most genres and styles are actually about the whole music. the vocals should not pop out then, but fit in. i also think that it sounds much healthier and more natural than a mix that pretends like the vocalist is the only important entity in the world

I’m the exact same, always mixed in my vocals last, just easier way to mix. Getting the track sitting right then you only have the vocal to worry about. Number one rule, there is none, do what works for you. But I’m glad I’m not the only one that that understands this process.

Recording with poor mic in mattresses fort here, and my founds are 100% according to this video. Cutting the boomy-boxy-muddy resonnance a lot, putting a stereo-widener delay to fit the mix and creating artificial room with reverb (+eq/comp according to the song) is the key. For all broke people doing things like me : watch and re-watch this video : these words are gold

I have no formal training yet instinctively I always mix the vocals in last. Nine times out of ten a song begins with the music and then the singer comes in. So it makes sense to me to do that. The tips on effects will come in handy. Thanks Greg!

Bro, that quarter note delay is EXACTLY what I needed! All of your videos are fantastic. Thank you!

@7:29 that tip on panned, 600Hz low-passed vocals with a 1/4 delay to glue things together ... I tried it and it's gold! Thank you!

That moment you are watching a Kush's video and a new one just popup haha. Always great stuff man :)

Hi Greg - just got home from my smoky Friday night at my studio - built around an ancient A&H 8 Bus - and - quess what - one of your stereo Electra rack eqs . . Its taken a few sessions to find out where to put it, and with what, but gota say - my mixes tonight sounded TOP DOG, JUST THE WAY I HAD IN MY HEAD.. A PRO SOUNDING mix..Very cool kit.. loving it.. I bought it from Studio Care UK - I think it must have been the last one in the World .. lol Anyways, thanks bud ..

If I close my eyes it almost feels like I am being served sage wisdom about the mix from Owen Wilson. Thanks again for all the great advice!

I tried the 1/4 note delay but I found it too long so instead I did it with a 1/16 note delay 20ms apart (165ms on the left and 185ms on right) and it sounds amazing. The vocals are really GLUED into the mix. Wouldn't have thought that one little technique can make such a difference. Thank you so much!

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

Right on! As for the timing, it might or might not matter but the music I do tends to be reaallllly slllooowwww...

@mk-1901

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHouseofKushTV it definitely matters. Your delay and ambience exists in context of the tempo. I feel 1/16 - 1/32 is the sweet spot for glue delay. For dramatic FX delay, 1-2 - 1/4 works really well.

Love this... It would be so cool to see Greg breakdown a mix of a song that he truly loves in terms of what he's hearing.....

@davejohnsonmusic

2 жыл бұрын

^This, yes! One of his own tracks would be neat as well. There's so much cool stuff going on in them.

This is bang on dude. I've always found it fascinating how some of the most powerful sounding vocals are not actually mixed all that loud. Back in black is an example that comes to mind. Intelligibility instead of loudness, what a great mindset to have.

Honestly it's like you're reading my diary....so helpful!

Best coach in the whole damn world

I’m drunk. I’ve been thinking about this concept all day with the vocals I’ve been mixing, I love your videos and the way you explain things. Thanks You so much house of kushhhhhh once again!!!:);)

Oh yeah, I just had to pop over to my DAW to try out the 1/4 note low passed delay, and omg where have you been all my life? You don't hear delay, it just *melts* the vocal into the mix. Awesome!

OMG I've been an Instrumentalist MOST of my life and THIS is my Workflow too ... and as much as I *LOVE* the Final Mixes of my songs, I've Always felt this sense of Guilt that I have been "doing it Wrong" but when I TRY to do Vocals First I NEVER get the Emotional Impact that I do when I mix the INSTRUMENTAL FIRST then Balance the Vocals in LAST ... I wonder if it's because we're both Drummers and that's just how we Hear things...? But Thank You: Now I can let this feeling go and simply enjoy the Process of Creating. Like You Say: Music Is Art. There IS no "right or wrong" since it's ALL Subjective anyways 😎 ... let the Music Speak for Itself ☺. So Cheers!

Dude, where have you been this whole time??? Thanks for posting stuff!

Glad to see someone else with the same process as me! I've always built a mix from the foundation, the drums, the rhythm section in general! I always use the analogy of building a house. You start with the foundation, then the framing, the roof etc, etc. This allows you to create a space for the melody. If you want the vocal to "sit in the mix" you need to have a place to sit in first. Furniture is important but it's not very comfortable to sit in the rain.

This filtered quarter note Haas delay effect is pure gold! I've wondered how low I hear that in so many mixes and yet I rarely go below 1k. Such great philosophical info along with some technical detail too. Another vocal fx favorite of mine is a 1/16th note mono delay for subtle glue that isn't quite reverb. Always works

May be the best advice on mixing vocals on the internet.

The timing of this video’s release couldn’t have been any better during the mixing of my current session. Thank you, Mr. Scott, for your inspiration.

@Sanguinor_Energy

Жыл бұрын

same gave me a little confidence

I thought I was crazy! It has never worked for me at all having the vocal as the center piece. I will now keep doing what I've done on my latest tracks - vocal last. Thank you, the way you talk about mixing gives me my confidence back honestly :) .

I felt a disturbance in the force. I needed this exactly now, and there you were. Stalker.

Just wanted to say how much i enjoy your posts, such good vibes... this is what youtube could be like ahhh so nice.

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I’m digging the experience too!

This guy rules. Whether or not someone agrees with everything he imparts, in the guise of making art, his viewpoints are a wonderful perspective. Also, as a businessman who owns Kush, he is a standup guy. I purchased a Kush Clariphonic from an online reseller and it got messed up in shipping and wasn’t going to arrive in time for the session I needed it for. I called him and he sent me a new unit overnight, free of charge , and just told me to ship the unit I was waiting on back to him when it arrived. He fucking rules!

Even though the music I make is a 180 degree turn from what you typically show, I love how much your ideas and ways of thinking of mixing align with mine. But you've codified so much that I have just learned intuitively. It's nice to hear it put into words in a logical way.

Yes - The Kush is in the house 🔥🥰⚡ Theres SO much gold in Here , for the budding mixer and producer , its not even funny ! I just take it in like....KUSH 🤔✨🙏

I trust Gregory not only because of what he is saying but how his voice sounds on The House of Kush. He definitely knows how to mix.

its an amazing day when the mix master uploads!

I don't usually comment on anything, ever, but thank you for always providing great advice!

Best education channel on KZread

Having over 15 years of live sound experience I tend to mix differently than most people. I do the rhythm section, then the melody instruments, then the vocals. When doing live sound this is the order you gain stage in and there's a reason for that. That reason is, the kick drum dictates the volume of your mix.

@mgmthegrand

2 жыл бұрын

This is interesting cos my sound diploma focused on live sound and we used that same order when I was in school - with vocals last. I've always mixed in that order - 10+ years now - and never considered another way.

@rome8180

2 жыл бұрын

That's how I do it too. But I've never done live sound. It just makes sense to me to get the rhythm section right first. If your low end is right, that can often make the rest of the mix easy.

@43audio89

2 жыл бұрын

when i chatted with a live engineer comparing it to my studio engineering.. wow completely different universe. i was really shocked at how different they are.

@IScreamedWolf

2 жыл бұрын

That’s exactly how I do it too. Also cause of my live sound background

@postman9699

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I approach live the same way. 👍

Gregory - loving your intelligent, alternate approaches to mixing and sonics. Thanks. Definitely Master Kush!

Studio gold hits the nail squarely on the head. Thanks Gregory, for more solid advice!

This, and other tips like the rule of +/- 2 components from song sections has been helping me re approach the idea of actually arranging some complexity into my hardcore punk arrangements. Looking forward to applying this video's tips as well and getting some life and motion into the instrumentals of a genre thats otherwise regarded as "be loud and fast all the time" and then following it up with strong, intelligible vocals to sit on top

Video after video this man drops so much quality information. Thank you for sharing all of this, since finding your channel my mixes have improved 50x

Another great video. Thanks so much for taking the time to make these. 🙌

His descriptions of music in general are so visceral.. Absolutely love listening to how Gregory describes the visual meat and depth of what you're hearing of what you're hearing through your ears

Once more, Fascinating . I really feel like you help us going to the next level - Inspiring people to let them find their way :) I feel lucky to watch your discussions . Thank You !

Im 100 percent with you on setting vocals in last

It's amazing how much clarity you bring to concepts that seem so daunting to an amateur.

Every time I watch one of your vids, my mind is lowkey exploded. Love your style, approach, and micro/macro way of explaining things... from a technical note on what hertz we hear voices, to the evolutionary reason why... "everything goes back to human relationships"... what a great thing to keep in mind while mixing a voice. Thanks!

More fantastic stuff. The mixers I appreciate most seem to say vocals last. The nugget for me here was the heavy low-passed 1/4 second stereo delay on vocals. More Kush goodness 🤩

@operarocks

2 жыл бұрын

Not to nitpick, but he said quarter note delay. I'm sure that's what you meant, but some of us noobs need to mind the difference. "Quarter note plus 5-20ms on other side."

@JayYarbroughMusic

2 жыл бұрын

@@operarocks Thanks noob 😅

Brilliant man...I love how these videos discuss concepts versus actual stone cold editing techniques

Hey, I just subscribed two days ago. You've taught me so much in so little time, just want to thank you for the value you're bringing. Really outstanding, man.

Gregory, the timing of your video releases in correlation to my level of bewilderment on a particular subject is simply impeccable.

Finally, a clariphonic commercial! Btw thats my trick!!! Love this and all your content

Your way has always been my way I've done it! Amazing!

You're not only an amazing musician and producer but also a truly gifted teacher! Thank you SO MUCH!! ⭐

Genius level info. Your videos are some of the best on the web!

The fact that you bless us with this information and experience for free makes me so happy

i wasn't even aware of when or where i mix my vocal til i saw this.. great perspective. i just mix in the vocals whenever i feel is the right time for the individual mix at hand. usually like to get my drum n bass working together first n move from there

Right I do this also mix the vocal as last. First balans the music if you that get right than you can do bring the vocal perfect in harmony with everything.

Gregory answers my questions before I have a chance to ask. What a Guru!

This has helped me so much in live situations. I have these bumps on my vocal eq preset ready for tuning in. Also I found that when there's a disturbingly long echo in the room it helps if I add a bit of short familiar reflections kind of to go before it. Lyrics are always clear now. Thank You.

Exactly how I’ve mixed every song I’ve been involved in. Couldn’t agree more.

Love this concept. I had never thought about this, but it rings completely true.

To much knowledge and realism in this package to respond effectively to it all❤️ I record my raw vocal with a guitar behind me.... then I build my music for the song. After that’s finished, I re-record my lead and backup vocals. Ty for saying that so now “It’s not just me “ that’s doing that. I want the arrangement to be jamming before I mess with it. Great video man!

Wow. Thanks for that, Gregory. I learn something from every one of your videos. Cheers.

You saved my ass man. I have that one vocal that just doesn't want to go into the mix and your tips immediatly pushed it so much forward. It is just amazing to listen. Since now I can turn the volume down and it doesn't crash my ears anymore and glues together with the instrumental. Your videos are gold. Thank god you share your knowledge with us! God bless you! :)

yeah man! This is why i like space echo's so much! You can dial 'em in until the point you can't hear 'em. But you can feel them. Kinda like short reverb/ambience. Especially on shorter times (slap delays). This gives a vocal so much depth. I love doin' this on my drums as well. Great video! Keep it up!

Truth, my man. Groove-driven music, for me, it's where it's at. This is a resource, pure and simple. Very well put.

gregory scott a true life saver

Amazing as always. Thanks Greg

You are the man, Kush! Saved in the mixing folder.

I like your take on things because you focus less on the "what" and the "how" and more on the "when" and the "why". Anyone can learn the mechanics, the real art is in knowing why you are turning knobs and when it is appropriate.

Im glad its not just me mixes the music as an instrumental- seems the way to do it workflow wise for me and computer power wise - adding vocal stems to a bounced down instrumental - keeps it snappy - thanks again Gregory for the tips on frequency and fx

I've always done the vocal last as I just assumed it was the logical way to do it. Guess I missed the video telling me I should do it first. The perils and rewards of self learning. Love these little lectures, always enlightening and a pleasure to soak in. Many thanks.

Man the way you explain things with so much knowledgeability, it's like you paint a picture in my mind, whatever you explain I don't need to see it in practice, I already know what to do, your explanation was enough. Your like a doctor of mixes, you've should called this channel Dr. Mix lol. Awesome job man 👍👍👍👍👍

Dude...what an excellent video. I love the little subtle hints that I bet are massive in a mix..Thanks for sharing. New sub

Been struggling with this subject of late, thanks Kush great advice! I also mix music first and vocals second, makes sense to me 💚

Im glad its not only me who produce that way. I produce everything I do by myself from start to finnish. I usually start out with an idea for a hook and then finish writing my lyrics to the instrumental most of the time. That usually means that the instrumental is essentially finished by the time I get that far. I know its 100% not the most efficient way of doing things but Im extremely particular about my craft and I feel this approach helps me stay the most true to my creative process. Min-maxing efficiency has never been a consideration in my world :)

I almost always mix the same way, vocals last and just a quick mute on my all-vocals-bus and bam, there´s my instrumental. Thanks for letting me know, that I´m not the only one breaking this "rule" ^^

Man, this guy really get you into the philosophy of the mix, thank you Gregory! 👏🔥

Thank you thank you, I haven’t really thought about vox like this before and it makes so much sense, the natural delay from our surroundings and everything. This is incredible information.

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

The obsessive focus on vocals and lyrics in modern pop music really grinds my gears sometimes. Most songs feel like three-minute-long choruses rather than songs. It's so nice to hear people advocating the focus on all the elements in a composition. Keep up the great work man, you've earned another subscriber. Peace!

Fantastic clinic! You just gave me some valuable info, Appreciate your videos.

You have an awesome talent for communication, teaching, and making complex topics into simple, easy-to-digest information. I really enjoy your videos and the way you work. Thank you so much for amazing content!!!

I love how you explained this. You didn’t oversaturate this video with a bunch of fancy terms and advanced techniques that an average amateur like me wouldn’t be able to comprehend. Almost feels like having that one classmate help you with homework and they just somehow know how to explain it better than the teacher. Thumbs up 👍🏾

Just noticed this... you plugging the claraphonic was the first time i heard you plug one of your own products..... Think about the other popular engineer channels.... How much do they try to sell you on some new product... I guess I can produce like a pro if I pay for this this and this membership. Corporate slugs.. Thank you for being absolutely real to the art of mixing.. No financial intentions are anywhere in these videos... You are pure my friend.

Wow that was deep but very functional..

I'm 100% with you on this. This is exactly what I have ALWAYS done.

This is gold. Thank you so much much. Vocals are a constant issue for me especially with really up front wall of guitar metal stuff and different types of clean and growly vocals. I'm definitely going to reference this video when I get to the vocals mix on my current project. It's the main area where I know my previous efforts suck.

This... This is the video I needed in this moment!

@TheHouseofKushTV

2 жыл бұрын

🕺🏼

I can’t tell you how helpful your videos are for me. Every day I mix. And almost every day I feel completely defeated. Your videos help me regroup and try to take the hill the next day. Thank you man.

Wow. This is so very well explained. You speak the language of an artist. And us other artists can rally grasp the language you speak. Thank you

You're the best! You make things easy to understand!