How To Mix Vocals In Logic Pro X

by | Jan 10, 2022 | latest | 0 comments

How To Mix Vocals In Logic Pro?: A 20 Step Guide For 2022

In this article, we will be going over the vocal mixing process in Logic Pro. Vocal Mixing is a significant step in the music production process and one that you should not take lightly. As always, we’ll provide some tips and tricks on making sure your vocal tracks sound as good as possible!

When it comes to mixing vocals in Logic Pro X, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, it’s essential to remember that Logic is not a VST with VST effects. It’s a DAW, so you won’t be able to use VSTs for vocals. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get great results.

There are a few built-in effects that you can use for vocals, and there are also several third-party plugins that you can use. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best plugins for songs and how to use them.

Why Should I Mix Vocals?

If you’re just starting, there are many reasons why you should learn how to mix vocals. First of all, it doesn’t take nearly as much time or effort as mixing an entire band. Second, vocals are the most critical part of any song, so you need to make sure they sound good. The final reason has a professional-sounding vocal will help you get more gigs.

The human voice is an instrument that is unique to itself. It conveys a wide range of emotions, making it an essential part of any song. Unfortunately, mixing vocals can be difficult and time-consuming. In this article, we’ll look at how to mix vocals in Logic Pro X using some of the best plugins available.

When Mixing Vocals, Speaker Size Is Important

One of the essential things when mixing vocals in Logic is knowing how to adjust the size of the speaker properly. Speaker size can result in hearing too much or too little of your voice, resulting in an unprofessional sound.

Pro Tip: Always have a reference track playing when you’re mixing vocals. Reference tracks will help you to better judge how your mix is sounding and make any necessary adjustments.

Key Vocal Qualities You To Be Aware Of

When it comes to mixing vocals, certain qualities are essential. The first is clarity. Having the ability to hear every word will make your songs much easier to understand and can help enhance their meaning. Next, you need breathiness. Breathiness gives the vocal character and makes them sound more natural. Finally, there needs to be a certain amount of air and space surrounding the voice. This air and space create a sense of energy and help your vocals stand out.

Top Plugins To Mix Vocals In Logic 

When it comes to mixing vocals, there are a few essential plugins that you will need. The first is a vocal EQ. An EQ allows you to sculpt and shape the sound of your vocal mix and remove harsh frequencies. EQ’s also help you eliminate competing frequencies. They also help you highlight and enhance fundamental frequencies while de-emphasizing problematic frequencies.

The second is a compressor. Compressors help control the vocals’ dynamics and make sure they sound consistent. The third is a reverb plugin. They add depth and ambiance to your vocals.

Users can add many different effects to vocals to enhance them. For example, reverb plugins can make the voice sound larger and fuller as it echoes in the space. Delay can add excitement and make the vocals sound more vibrant. Engineers can also use reverb and delay to create a sense of depth, making the vocals sound like they’re coming from a distance.

Compression can help control the dynamics and ensure that the vocals are always at a consistent level.

Top Waves Plugins For A Great Vocal Sound

The first plugin we’ll look at is the Waves Vocal Rider. This plugin design levels your vocals always to sound consistent automatically. It’s one of the best ways to make your songs sound professional, and you can use it with third-party plugins as well.

Another excellent plugin for vocals is the Waves CLA-76. This plugin emulates the classic LA-2A compressor, and it’s great for adding warmth and presence to your vocals. It’s also a great way to add punch to your mix.

Finally, we’ll take a look at the Waves Puigchild 670. This plugin adds color and character to your vocals, and it’s great when you want to make your songs stand out.

Steps To Mix Vocals In Logic Pro X

 

  1. Launch your logic pro X software – ensure you have a vocal track prepared to begin mixing
  2. Find the compressor and insert it onto your vocal track in the channel strip.
  3. In the sidechain section, make sure to set it to ‘none’ – this tells Logic that you want to trigger the compressor manually.
  4. Next, insert the Waves Vocal Rider plugin onto your vocal track.
  5. 5. This plugin will automatically level your vocals – make sure you set the threshold to ‘0’ – this allows the plugin to work as intended
  6. Now, you will need to turn down the output of the plugin to around -15dB
  7. Lowering the output will ensure that your vocals are not too loud in the mix
  8. Next, insert the Waves CLA-76 onto your vocal track
  9. In the sidechain section, select ‘trigger’ – this tells Logic to use the vocal track as the source for compression
  10. Change the attack time to around ‘8’ milliseconds and the release time to around ‘30’ milliseconds
  11. Altering the attack will give your vocals an excellent, warm sound
  12. Now you will need to adjust the input and output levels of the plugin – make sure the input is around ‘-6dB,’ and the output is around ‘0dB.’
  13. We will add some character and warmth to your vocals using the Waves Puigchild 670 plugin.
  14. Once again, select ‘trigger’ in the sidechain section of the compressor
  15. Now, decrease the threshold until your vocals are peaking at around -6dB
  16. Lowering the threshold  will ensure that your vocals are loud enough in the mix
  17. Next, adjust the plugin’s input until around ‘0dB’ and the output at around ‘-6dB.’
  18. Finally, increase the gain to around ‘6dB’ to add color and character to your vocals.
  19. You can now playback your song to hear the effects of your vocal mixing
  20. You can fine-tune your vocals by adjusting the compressor threshold and output, as well as the input and output of the Waves Puigchild 670 plugin

Tips To Create Professional Lead Vocals

Creating a vocal mix that offers a professional sound is difficult. Here are three beneficial tips for beginners on how to mix vocals.

  1. Adjust the gain of your device to a low level at first, and make a note of its volume. Then, turn up the gain gradually until it is at an appropriate level to other instruments in your mix. This adjustment will help you avoid the loudest peaks.
  2. Avoid clipping by not allowing the red warning light on your track’s fader or monitor levels to light up. If you see the light start to flicker, back off the gain until it stops. These tips will help against harsh vocals.
  3. Set your output level so that when you solo vocal track, it is at or very close to 0 dBFS on the master meter. Changing output levels ensure the lead vocal is always in the mix, regardless of the track’s volume.

Once you’ve got these plugins in your arsenal, you’ll be able to get great results with your vocals. Just remember to take your time and experiment with different combinations until you find the right sound.

A Final Word On Vocal Mixing In Logic Pro X

We hope this article has helped answer your questions on mixing vocals in Logic Pro. If you need help, we offer a variety of recording studio packages for our clients that include everything from audio engineering services and production assistance to mixing and mastering. Contact Bay Eight Recording Studios today if you have any other questions or are ready to book your session!