Mixing a Hip-Hop and R&B Song in Pro Tools

Take a peek over Brian Lee White's shoulder as he sequentially moves through the mixing process for a hip-hop track, from layering the drums to processing the vocals.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you need to know
• Exercise files

1. Getting Started/Drums

• Setting up the mixer and getting initial levels
• Building the kick drum layer
• Layering the snares
• Adding the drum reverbs
• Working with the claps and hi-hats

2. Vocals

• Building the verse lead-vocal sound
• Setting up the vocal FX returns
• Adding the rap stabs
• Processing the hook lead vocals
• Processing the background vocals
• Processing the FX vocals
• Creating a unique vocal sound for the intro and the bridge
• Working in the ad lib vocals

3. Additional Instruments

• Warming up the bass tone
• Adding drama to the choir track
• Re-creating a sampled vinyl sound for the organ
• Layering the remaining instruments

4. Finishing Up

• Circling back and revising the mix
• Adding automation
• Mastering the track with compression and limiting
• Printing the final stereo mix
• Reviewing the final master

Conclusion

• Goodbye