5 Minutes To A Better Mix III: Mixing Background Vocals

Mar 26, 2013 | 5 Minutes To A Better Mix, Audio Example, Mixing, Plugins, Tips, Video | 15 comments

Part 26 of 31 – Background vocals, when mixed well, can really enhance just about any song. The trick is getting them to sit just right in the mix and not take over the lead vocal.

The Lonely Low Pass Filter

It seems we audio people talk about the infamous high pass filter a lot. When his poor little cousin, the low pass filter, gets left out of conversation. In reality, this little EQ curve can do wonders for sitting a bunch of vocals back in the mix a tad and freeing up space.

15 Comments

Baba Prasad on March 26, 2013 at 8:36 am

Hi Graham,

Wow! Great Tip! This works like a magic with just that tiny little adjustment and creates a New Image and clarity in your mix! Great Tip. Not only that, the Songs sound Really Really great to me! Have done the Full mix of the Song? I dont mind buying it!
-BABA.
Reply
- Graham on March 27, 2013 at 3:13 pm
  
  Thanks Baba. The EP (with this track on it) releases this Sunday, March 31st. I’ll post about it 🙂
  Reply
  - Baba Prasad on March 28, 2013 at 4:22 am
    
    Wow! Graham, Waiting for that Day to buy it! Great!
    -BABA.
    Reply
Ryan Boone on March 27, 2013 at 10:31 am

Those BGVs are sick. So glad you’re doing something you’ve been so gifted in. Keep up the good work!
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- Graham on March 27, 2013 at 3:13 pm
  
  Thanks Ryan!
  Reply
- Dan Updegraff on March 30, 2013 at 2:11 pm
  
  I second that. Awesome job on the vocal arrangement!
  
  And I’m guilty as charged – always trying to make everything bright (too bright). I just thought that’s how you get clarity. Funny thing, my gut kept telling me this isn’t working. But did I listen? 😛
  Reply
Nathan Bell on March 29, 2013 at 5:44 pm

I absolutely love your work. The best part about it is it’s all Christian music. Do you have any DVD Tutorials? Also Where can I purchase this song from? Amazing! Please continue to allow God to use you.. God Bless…
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- Graham on April 2, 2013 at 2:45 pm
  
  Hi Nathan… all of my in depth training videos are available in my store here: http://therecordingrevolution.com/products/
  
  You can purchase the song here: http://aletheiatampa.bandcamp.com/
  
  Thanks!
  Reply
Brian Morrison on March 29, 2013 at 8:29 pm

Graham,

Great video. What is the reason for choosing 10k as the roll off?
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- Graham on April 2, 2013 at 2:45 pm
  
  It just sounded right.
  Reply
David on April 2, 2013 at 4:10 pm

Yo whattup pimp? I had a question……….. How many vocals should I record for a song ? Should I do 1 main and 2 back supporting the main vocals and have those routed to 1 aux input and do some background vocals and route those on their own aux input? Or do i route main vocals, backs and background vocals to the same aux input?
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Daniel on August 18, 2014 at 6:11 pm

Thanks for the great tip, may be just what my mix needed.

Also, there is no god.
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- Graham on August 20, 2014 at 9:27 am
  
  Glad the tip worked.
  
  Also, it takes a lot more “faith” to come to the conclusion that there is no god. The burden of proof on that belief system is a lot harder. Just saying.
  Reply
José Luiz on September 9, 2014 at 5:37 pm

Hey Graham
Thanks a lot for this great tip. Now… how did you panned this backing vocals or how do you usually pan them? Thanks again!
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- Graham Cochrane on September 12, 2014 at 12:25 pm
  
  They were panned all around from left to right. No right or wrong, just wanted a nice blend of all the parts across the stereo spectrum.
  
  A lot of times I simply pan background vocals hard left and right.
  Reply