Learning Vocal Production: Hip-Hop

Learn about vocal recording and mixing techniques that can help your hip-hop track stand out, including aspects of tracking and mixing process, plus basic mastering concepts.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know
• Using the free exercise files

1. Tracking Hip-Hop Vocals

• Microphone and preamp tips
• Microphone technique for hip-hop vocals
• Room treatment and recording setup
• Maximizing a hip-hop vocal with layering
• Recording "punches" and ad-libs
• Hip-hop vocal editing and comping

2. Mixing Hip-Hop Vocals

• Mixing session setup
• Preliminary vocal processing
• Compressing a hip-hop verse vocal
• Using parallel compression in a verse
• Using equalization (EQ) on a verse vocal
• Using a de-esser for a hip-hop verse
• Using reverb on a hip-hop verse
• Using delay on a hip-hop verse
• Blending and processing a hip-hop chorus
• How to make a hip-hop chorus exciting

3. Final Processing and Pre-Mastering

• Processing a pre-mixed instrumental
• Intro to mastering

Conclusion

• Next steps