What are double tracking vocals?

Double tracking is when you create duplicates of a recording in order to add more bulk and sonic character to the instrument being recorded. This technique can be used on virtually any instrument, but it sounds particularly great when used on vocal tracks.

Should vocals be double tracked?

Double Track Vocals Even If You Don’t Think You’ll Use It. If time allows, always tracking a vocal double is a great practice. If time and budget allow, it’s always worth taking a portion of the tracking session to double the vocals.

Why do singers double their vocals?

This technique simply transcends what a single vocal track can achieve. Human voices are limited and can easily get overthrown in a mix. With so much else going on in the mix (panned instruments, effects, etc.), doubling vocals allows the voice to stand out in a unique way, and can add greater depth to your mix.

Did John Lennon double tracked vocals?

The whole idea had started with John Lennon. Lennon insisted his voice be “double tracked”—again, first manually and then electronically. Lennon wanted the added depth to conceal—maybe to enrich—his own voice. Basically, as hard as it is to imagine, John Lennon hated the sound of his own voice!

What instruments should be double tracked?

To achieve a richer sound from vocals, guitars, and even drums, the ‘old school’ technique of double tracking is extremely effective.

How do you mix double tracked vocals?

The simplest way to create stereo width from a mono vocal is by duplicating the vocal twice, delaying the two duplicates, and then panning one duplicate hard left and the other hard right.

Should I pan my vocals?

If your track has lead vocals pan them center as well. Experiment with panning duplicates of effected vocals to the left or right. But as a general rule lead vocals should always be panned center.

How do you mix two vocals?

What is ADT in music?

Automatic double-tracking or artificial double-tracking (ADT) is an analogue recording technique designed to enhance the sound of voices or instruments during the mixing process. It uses tape delay to create a delayed copy of an audio signal which is then combined with the original.

How did the Beatles double track vocals?

It was created by EMI Technical Engineer and later Studios Manager Ken Townsend for The Beatles to avoid them having to continually re-record vocals to create multi-layered vocal effects. To solve the problem, Townsend made use of the fact that the Studer four track machine had two replay outputs on each track.

Should you double rap vocals?

If you’re making modern rap music than no, you don’t need a vocal double track for the main verses. This is because doing a vocal double is going to make your vocals sound muddy and outdated.

What is double tracking vocals?

Double tracking vocals involves having your vocalist sing the exact same part of a song on a second track. This “vocal double” is then blended with the main vocal track, to enhance it’s sound.

Should you edit your singing double takes?

While it is important to sometimes edit your vocal double takes so the phrasing sits nicely with the lead vocal, if you try to apply too much pitch and time correction you can end up losing the positive qualities that recording doubles will have on your song.

What is a vocal double?

This “vocal double” is then blended with the main vocal track, to enhance it’s sound. In a strange way it tends to be both an underrated and overrated tool in the music recording world.

What effects should I use on my vocal double?

Examples of effects you may want to use on your vocal double include a slight spread/delay plugin (Eg Soundtoys’ MicroShift) or aggressive compression/harmonic distortion (Soundtoys’ Devil-Loc or Decapitator ). It doesn’t fit every song or double tracking situation.