R&B Vocal Doubling

manisedap · 16th August 2004, 11:38 PM

I don't know if this has been asked before, so here goes.

I'm particularly fascinated with r&B vocal doublings, especially with Justin Timberlake's. I was wondering Dave, what's your technique on making great doublings, besides having a great singer to work with.

Thanks
Yang

strauss · 17th August 2004, 12:32 AM

I'm not Dave, but there's some info here .
I guess once your aware of the differen't vocal layers it shouldn't be too hard to decipher what's going on in Justin Timberlake's records.

Squinty McGhee · 17th August 2004, 04:02 PM

Very good link...I'm loving this guest forum!
Regarding the article referring to the multitracking of vocals (4 for main note, 4 for upper and lower harmony, etc etc) this is in reference to the Chorus right? Because for the verses of most of usher's latest album, for the life of me I cannot hear more than one vocal track and then the adlibs and some harmonies on key words...unless dude has PERFECT timing and can sing it the exact same way each time....

Bloodz · 17th August 2004, 05:36 PM

how many layers do most engineers typically layer lead vocals? I guess this technique is commonly reffered to as overdubbing or is that completely different?

manisedap · 17th August 2004, 05:41 PM

cool! thanks for the link Strauss.
Oh yeah, it might be overdubbing as well. Any of you guys have your own technique?

strauss · 17th August 2004, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Squinty McGhee
...unless dude has PERFECT timing and can sing it the exact same way each time....

I sometimes use vocalign to tighten things up.
If Vocalign isn't available you can also do it by hand with the time-compression handler in PT or Nuendo.

Exmun · 17th August 2004, 06:20 PM

Usher's latest album is just a single vocal in most of the verses. I doubt those were doubled and vocal-aligned. There is the typical layering stuff in the choruses and key words, but it sounds like single vocal passes on most of the verses.

toledo3 · 17th August 2004, 06:45 PM

Well, I haven't heard all of that record, but on the Usher song "Yeah," there is alot of layering going on, even in the verses.

For example, I will use caps to illustrate the harmonized parts...

"....from ONE to TEN, SHE'S A CERTIFIED TWENTY..."

lot's of doubling/harmonizing even in the verses... maybe it's different for the other songs.

Exmun · 17th August 2004, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toledo3
Well, I haven't heard all of that record, but on the Usher song "Yeah," there is alot of layering going on, even in the verses.
... lot's of doubling/harmonizing even in the verses... maybe it's different for the other songs.

You're right on that song, which is why I was cautious to use "most verses" in my response. Much of the rest of the record is very different from that song in that the verses are tracked as a single vocal with layered accents every now and again and in the chorus sections.

manisedap · 17th August 2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by strauss
I sometimes use vocalign to tighten things up.
If Vocalign isn't available you can also do it by hand with the time-compression handler in PT or Nuendo.

oh cool! thanks!

manisedap · 19th August 2004, 09:12 AM

Dave,
I'm also impressed on your work with Jon B. The vocal processing and the music is just smooooth.

Wondering what was the chain that you used on Jon B, your vocal overdubs/doubling techniques.

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16th August 2004, 11:38 PM	#1
manisedap Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE USA Posts: 110	R&B Vocal Doubling I don't know if this has been asked before, so here goes. I'm particularly fascinated with r&B vocal doublings, especially with Justin Timberlake's. I was wondering Dave, what's your technique on making great doublings, besides having a great singer to work with. Thanks Yang

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17th August 2004, 12:32 AM	#2
strauss Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lowlands Posts: 504	I'm not Dave, but there's some info here . I guess once your aware of the differen't vocal layers it shouldn't be too hard to decipher what's going on in Justin Timberlake's records.

17th August 2004, 04:02 PM	#3
Squinty McGhee Gear interested Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 10	Very good link...I'm loving this guest forum! Regarding the article referring to the multitracking of vocals (4 for main note, 4 for upper and lower harmony, etc etc) this is in reference to the Chorus right? Because for the verses of most of usher's latest album, for the life of me I cannot hear more than one vocal track and then the adlibs and some harmonies on key words...unless dude has PERFECT timing and can sing it the exact same way each time....

17th August 2004, 05:36 PM	#4
Bloodz Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 120	how many layers do most engineers typically layer lead vocals? I guess this technique is commonly reffered to as overdubbing or is that completely different?

17th August 2004, 05:41 PM	#5
manisedap Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE USA Posts: 110	cool! thanks for the link Strauss. Oh yeah, it might be overdubbing as well. Any of you guys have your own technique?

17th August 2004, 06:20 PM	#7
Exmun Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Fort Myers, FL via Columbus, OH Posts: 414	Usher's latest album is just a single vocal in most of the verses. I doubt those were doubled and vocal-aligned. There is the typical layering stuff in the choruses and key words, but it sounds like single vocal passes on most of the verses.

17th August 2004, 06:45 PM	#8
toledo3 Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Funky Town FL Posts: 1,190	Well, I haven't heard all of that record, but on the Usher song "Yeah," there is alot of layering going on, even in the verses. For example, I will use caps to illustrate the harmonized parts... "....from ONE to TEN, SHE'S A CERTIFIED TWENTY..." lot's of doubling/harmonizing even in the verses... maybe it's different for the other songs.

19th August 2004, 09:12 AM	#11
manisedap Gear nut Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE USA Posts: 110	Dave, I'm also impressed on your work with Jon B. The vocal processing and the music is just smooooth. Wondering what was the chain that you used on Jon B, your vocal overdubs/doubling techniques.