Quote:
Originally Posted by u b k  Mostly, though, it's the MC. You could drop that vocal over a dozen different beats and it'd still groove. You could drop a stiff MC over that beat and it'd be an annoying brick of tension.
There's no groove like a human groove.
Gregory Scott - ubk |
So true. I've been learning this lesson lately. When working on a beat or producing a song, before any vocals have been laid, I always worry that the feel is too stiff or straight and I'm pulling my hair out trying to give it more
feel. Then once a good vocalist lays something on top, suddenly the whole thing pushes and pulls just right with the vocal and sounds more alive.
Moral of the story is:
Scratch Vocals can be your best damn friend. Get vocals on a beat or instrumental as early in the process as possible. You will worry so much less about feel. Too produce without the vocals in mind is really pretty silly when you think about it. The vocal is usually the most important part, right?!