Kanye West is a superstar! There is no denying it. His iconic, in-your-face sound is well known for its larger-than-life presence and grit. Here are the steps to mix your vocals just like Kanye West.
Get the Recording Right
Kanye uses a large-diaphragm condenser microphone to capture the full range of his vocal frequencies. He has mentioned the Neumann U67 as his favorite mic. Preamps like the Neve 1073 are his go-to choice. The Neve is known for adding a slight boost in the high-mids. It can help the vocal cut through the mix.
If these equipment are beyond your budget, you can find substitutes with similar characteristics at a budget. Many popular plugins help you emulate this equipment as well.
Pay attention to how you handle the microphone as well. Kanye goes close to his microphone to get that powerful and intimate delivery. Use a pop filter to reduce the plosives.
Control Dynamics with Compression
Compression helps control dynamics. It also adds consistency to the performance. The goal is to achieve a vocal that sits confidently on top of the mix without disappearing in quieter sections or overpowering louder parts. Use multiple compressors in series to achieve a more nuanced control. It will result in a more natural-sounding compression.
Start with a gentler compressor with a moderate ratio. Aim for a slight gain reduction. Pay attention to the attack and release. It helps even out the performance without squashing the life out of it.
Follow up with a more aggressive compressor that can add a pleasing coloration to the vocal. Use a higher ratio to adjust the threshold for gain reduction. It clamps down on any remaining peaks and brings the vocal forward. Add a third compressor on your vocal bus or the master channel for better control.
Pay attention to how compression affects the tone. Don't let it dull the high end. You can automate compressor settings for different sections of the song as well. Trust your ears and check the results to see if they sound right.
Use Additive EQ
EQ shapes the tonal balance of the vocals. Kanye's vocals have a bright quality that sits on top of the instrumental. The correct EQ settings help vocals cut through the mix without sounding harsh.
Start with a high-pass filter. You can cut frequencies to remove any rumble in the track. It helps create space for other elements like kicks and bass. Use a gentle slope to maintain a natural sound. Check the track for any muddiness. Use a relatively wide Q for a natural sound. It helps separate the vocal from midrange-heavy instruments.
Small adjustments often work better than drastic cuts or boosts. Use a spectrum analyzer to identify problematic frequencies. Consider using dynamic EQ for more transparent processing. Don't EQ in solo; it is better to make adjustments in the context of the full mix.
Bring in the Effects
You can hear well-placed vocal effects that add interest to Kanye's vocals without overwhelming the performance. You can make the vocal’s presence stand out in the track without making it sound processed.
Use a tight reverb to add space without pushing the vocal back in the mix. Try a plate or room reverb with a short decay time. You should barely notice it's there.
Add a wide boost to bring out the definition in the vocals. A small boost in the air can add sparkle. Be careful not to overdo this, as it can quickly lead to harshness. Sculpt the mid-range with some precise cuts in the mid-range. Look for resonances or harsh frequencies and cut them narrowly.
Many of Kanye's tracks use multiple reverbs. He uses a short one for the body and a longer one for the tail—experiment with sending different amounts of the vocal to each. Add a touch of slap delay to thicken the vocal. Set the feedback low so you only hear one or two repeats. It can help the vocal feel more three-dimensional without cluttering the mix.
Correct the Pitch
Kanye often uses Auto-Tune as an effect. He used it in his track “Heartless” to great success. Experiment with different retune speeds - faster for a more robotic sound and slower for natural correction. Even when not used as an obvious effect, pitch correction can help a vocal sit better in the mix. Gentle chorus or micro-pitch shifting can add width and body to a vocal without being obvious.
Add Saturation
A bit of grit can help vocals stand out in a dense mix. It helps give the vocals a slight edge that helps them cut through all the instrumentation. Use a tape emulation plugin or gentle tube saturation to add harmonics. It creates a fuller sound without obvious distortion. You can start with a low-drive setting and work up from there. Use a multi-band saturation for a more precise control.
Introduce Distortion for Effect
For more aggressive parts, you can add slight distortion to add excitement to high-energy sections of a song. Blend it with clean vocals for an interesting sound. Experiment with different types of distortion, such as tube, tape, and analog modeling. They all have different characteristics. Use the one that does justice to the mix.
Double the Vocals
Kanye likes to add weight to prominent hooks or choruses by layering vocals together. You can hear the impact of this in his groundbreaking track “Runaway”.
Record multiple takes of the same part. The slight differences between takes create a natural chorus effect. Process each take slightly differently. Use different EQ settings and apply different compression settings. Pan the doubles slightly left and right of center. It creates width without losing the central focus of the main vocal. Blend the doubles underneath the main vocal to achieve your desired effect.
This guide can help you achieve the professional sheen of Kanye West mixes. The right technique and an ear for detail go a long way in making your track stand out from the competition.
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