#250 - Are We Making Vocals Too Perfect? (Pt1)

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Secret Sonics

Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner

285 episodes

3 months ago

Join mix engineers Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner as they team up to discuss the real-world trials and triumphs of music production. Tactical advice on skill development, mixing mindsets, personal branding, and achieving work-life rhythm in an evolving industry. The motivation and strategic insights you need to build your dream creative career in music and audio. Fresh episodes every week.

All content for Secret Sonics is the property of Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

#250 - Are We Making Vocals Too Perfect? (Pt1)

Secret Sonics

24 minutes

5 months ago

#250 - Are We Making Vocals Too Perfect? (Pt1)

Two cranky engineers accidentally reveal why your technically perfect vocals sound emotionally dead

In this episode, Ben and Carl dive into why the "mistakes" you're fixing might be the only thing keeping your vocals human. From pre-production psychology to multi-de-esser philosophy, they challenge everything you think you know about processing vocals.

Discover:

How over-rehearsed bands sabotage their own records (and why pop artists need completely different rules)
Reading the room and matching your approach to the artist's psychology
Why perfect tuning kills emotion and when to leave the "mistakes" in
Why using multiple light processors beats one heavy one (and Carl's controversial multi-de-esser approach)
How deliberately bad cuts make choruses hit like trucks

Ben and Carl's Weekly Inspiration Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1IpnxDVoTY44JBV1j19H4h?si=0f80e020d8ae497e

LA Wildfire Relief:
Musicares - https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief
WAMTN - https://give.wearemovingtheneedle.org/campaign/654724/donate

Learn more about StudioLand - https://www.welcometostudioland.com/a/2147995182/bmyFf8p5

Download our free guide: "The Future-Proof Mixing Engineer: 8 Essential Skills for 2024 and Beyond" - https://mpe-ebook.benwallick.com/future-proof-mixing

Connect with us:

Secret Sonics - https://www.instagram.com/secretsonics
Ben - https://www.instagram.com/benwallickmusic/
Carl - https://www.instagram.com/carlbahner/

Learn more:

https://www.benwallick.com/
https://www.carlbahner.com/

This episode with edited by Gavi Kutliroff - https://www.instagram.com/pleasant_peasant_music/