Stokes Sound - #1: Vocal Mixing Techniques | With Special Guest Gary Mictian

#1: Vocal Mixing Techniques | With Special Guest Gary Mictian

07/13/22 • 48 min

Stokes Sound

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Gary Mictian, producer/songwriter, to talk about vocal mixing techniques.

Gary Mictian is a producer, songwriter, and artist, based in London. His unique vision draws influence from vintage pop, dystopian sci-fi, and cinematic sound. He uses modern production techniques to create a fantastic world within a carefully constructed pop song. You could say his songs sound like an explosive blend between Charli XCX and Tove Lo, with a passion for sound design, he loves creating raucous and glitchy features for his productions. He explores the depths of love and heartbreak with an amalgam of nostalgic and soul-laden pop sounds.

Today, you’ll hear about Gary’s daily studio techniques, doing dummy takes, compression, headphone mixing, Gary’s maximum number of takes, nudging vocals, tuning vocals, timing vocals, Gary’s aversion to ad libs, and his interesting use of vocal effects.

Episode Timestamps

[01:01]
[02:04] A bit about Gary.
[03:42] Daily session techniques.
[08:40] A song from start to finish.
[09:12] Compression.
[10:21] Reverb in the headphone mix.
[14:05] How many takes per verse?
[17:35] The best DAW.
[18:09] Nudging the vocals.
[22:27] Vocal tuning.
[31:17] Timing vocals.
[34:43] Pop vocal ad libs.
[37:31] Stacking vocals.
[39:33] Vocal effects.

Notable Quotes

“When the artist comes into the studio, the very first thing I do is to make sure that they’re comfortable.”
“You’re going to get what you need in no more than 5 takes.”
“Always serve what the singer actually sang.”
“If it sounds good, it sounds good.”
“Every time I have a harmony, I always layer it with the lead.”

Connect with Gary

SoundCloud:Gary Mictian.

YouTube:Gary Mictian.

Spotify:Gary Mictian.

Instagram:@gary_mictian.

Support the show

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Gary Mictian, producer/songwriter, to talk about vocal mixing techniques.

Episode Timestamps

[01:01]
[02:04] A bit about Gary.
[03:42] Daily session techniques.
[08:40] A song from start to finish.
[09:12] Compression.
[10:21] Reverb in the headphone mix.
[14:05] How many takes per verse?
[17:35] The best DAW.
[18:09] Nudging the vocals.
[22:27] Vocal tuning.
[31:17] Timing vocals.
[34:43] Pop vocal ad libs.
[37:31] Stacking vocals.
[39:33] Vocal effects.

Notable Quotes

“When the artist comes into the studio, the very first thing I do is to make sure that they’re comfortable.”
“You’re going to get what you need in no more than 5 takes.”
“Always serve what the singer actually sang.”
“If it sounds good, it sounds good.”
“Every time I have a harmony, I always layer it with the lead.”

Connect with Gary

SoundCloud:Gary Mictian.

YouTube:Gary Mictian.

Spotify:Gary Mictian.

Instagram:@gary_mictian.

Support the show

Next Episode

#2: How to Record and Mix Drums | With Special Guest Patch Boshell

Podcast Summary

In this episode, we bring you Patch Boshell, legendary producer/engineer, to talk about all things recording and mixing drums.

Patch Boshell is a creative and versatile Producer, Mix Engineer, Songwriter, and General Legend based in South-West London.

Today, you’ll hear about Patch’s go-to drum recording setup, using free plugins, Patch’s preferred recording level, groove, how Patch mixes drums, using compression and automation, being a fixer, and how to process a lead vocal.

Episode Timestamps

[02:00] Setting up drums for recording.
[05:11] Overheads.
[07:19] Free plugins.
[08:00] What is Patch’s recording level?
[11:22] Drum timing.
[14:30] Elastic Audio.
[17:00] Timing and groove.
[24:52] Patch’s drum mixing process.
[34:31] Compression.
[42:48] Fixing, not mixing.
[46:04] Parallel compression.
[48:18] Automation.
[52:00] Patch’s advice.
[52:44] Processing a lead vocal.

Notable Quotes

“If you’re not clipping, I don’t really care.”
“Things that are behind the beat sound more relaxed, and therefore, more confident.”
“Less is more.”
“Don’t drink too much alcohol, get lots of exercise, and take risks in all of your mixing and your music production, because being safe is being boring.”
“I spend so long on vocals because they’re the most important thing.”
“The difference between a good singer and a bad singer is everything.”

Connect with Patch

LinkedIn:Patch Boshell.

Facebook:Patch Boshell.

Instagram:@patchboshell.

Support the show