In the second part of this online workshop we’ll introduce you to more creative effects for your vocal tracks that will make your mixes more interesting and exciting.
V. Tape Stop Effect
Here we want to simulate the effect that you hear when you pull the plug on a record player while it’s playing and the music gradually slows down.
Step 1: We’ll start by choosing the vocal part we want to work with and separate it from the existing object using the key command “T”.
Step 2: On the selected object, choose the menu option “Effects > Time/Pitch > Elastic Audio…”. The vocal part will then be opened in the Elastic Audio Editor.
Make sure that the algorithm is set to “Resample”.
Step 3: Now we can choose “Direct” in the upper toolbar to make exact edits to the pitch intonation. The mouse tool should be set to “Curve Bend”.
Step 4: Grab the orange line at the end of the object and pull it down one octave. The pitch intonation will be displayed on the right as a key.
Step 5: The final step is to grab the diagonal line at the point in the object where the Tape Stop Effect slowdown should begin and drag it back up to the original pitch.
Experiment with the curve by making the slowdown process longer or shorter. When you find the setting you want, press “OK”.
VI. Pitch Correction with Elastic Audio
Step 1: We’ll start by loading the selected vocal object into the Elastic Audio Editor. Click on the corresponding “Elastic Audio…” button in the Object Editor.
Step 2: Make sure that the Elastic Audio Editor is in “Direct” mode before starting a waveform analysis by clicking on “Pitch > Detection”.
When the analysis is complete, the vocal object will be displayed in slice-objects corresponding to the various pitches.
Step 3: Select the slices where you want to change the pitch and choose the algorithm “Monophonic Voice”.
Step 4: Use the selection tool to drag the chosen slices and change their pitch.
VII. Distortion – Mixing Parallel Distortion
We can now try working with some distortion to make those vocals sound a bit dirty and raw.
Step 1: We’ll start by again separating the object at the desired point and duplica- ting it. To do this you can drag the object to another track while holding down the Ctrl key.
By additionally holding down the Shift key you can prevent the object from moving horizontally.
Step 2: Now we can apply a distortion effect from the Object Editor to the copied object. Here we’ll work with “eFX TubeStage”.
Step 3: Choose the “Rough Vocals” preset and adjust it to get the exact sound you want.
Step 4: The final step is to mix the duplicated distorted vocal object with the original vocal part.
This is a great way to roughen up your vocals and give them more power and presence.
VIII. Vocoder
The Vocoder manipluates a carrier signal (e.g. pads or strings) and makes them sound like they are singing. The manipulation is done through a modulator – in this example, a vocal signal.
Step 1: In the Object Editor of the selected vocal object, choose the plug-in “Vocoder”.
Step 2: Choose an appropriate preset.
Step 3: Adjust the carrier signal that is now in the effect any way you want. Try starting with “Standard Sample” and work your way through until you find just the right sound.
Step 4: With the “Sample” fader you can adjust the level of the carrier signal. With the “Noise” fader you can add white noise or whispering voices.
Step 5:The Vocoder also allows you to modify the red curve of an FTT-Filter by using the drawing tool. Simply draw in the frequency response curve to optimize the Vocoder output.
Step 6:Go ahead and try reversing the modulatorand signal carrier to find
out what it sounds like.
These are just a few of the countless possibilites you have to create special effects for your vocals. You can also try out things like extreme flanger settings with the “eFX ChorusFlanger” or combine vocal reverb from “VariVerb” with the “eFX Phaser”…
And most importantly, have fun with it!
Your Samplitude Team
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