STUDIO STRATEGIES

Ed:it has one or two things to say about editing vocals

In last issue’s Studio Strategies, I showed you how to create a percussive lead synth from scratch. To continue with this exploration of ‘hook design’, I’m going to focus on the most important element of any track: the vocal.

After creating beats, bass and other sounds, I often find that a vocal element is the missing piece of the puzzle, and helps bring that human connection to an otherwise soulless track.

But unlike software synths and drum machines, suitable vocalists are hard to come by, and not all producers – myself included – have a studio-quality vocal booth at home. That’s why I tend to spend time searching for royalty-free samples. It’s easy enough to gather high-quality acapellas from legitimate sample websites or dedicated sample packs, though I advise you to always read the fine print to ensure you’re covered from a legal standpoint.

Being a fan of more minimalist styles of electronic music, I tend to use the voice more like a synth oscillator or sample, and as raw material for creative processing. After hunting down the perfect vocal, I focus on its pitch and timing – often using a ‘guide’ instrument or synth melody alongside a percussive click track – to hone the voice’s tuning and temporal position in relation to other elements in the track. Let’s dive in and see how it’s done!