In this course, I show you how to take one simple vocal and turn it into something much bigger. From creative chopping, reversing and pitching to rhythmic effects, vocoders and samplers, I explore practical techniques for transforming limited vocal material into unique hooks, textures and ear candy.
Course Details
In this chapter, I introduce the idea behind the course: taking a simple one-line vocal and seeing just how far we can push it. I explain how creative processing, chopping and experimentation can help fill out a track and turn even a limited vocal sample into something much more interesting.
In this chapter, I start transforming our original vocal using a range of creative techniques. I demonstrate vocal chopping, Endless Smile automation, reverse reverb transitions, random audio manipulation and telephone-style EQ processing, showing how even small sections of a vocal can be turned into hooks, build-ups and completely new ideas.
In this chapter, I explore ways to turn a vocal into a rhythmic element using Trance Gate, Tantra, ShaperBox and Effectrix. I demonstrate stutters, chops, rhythmic presets, stretching and multi-effects processing, showing how experimenting with these plugins can transform a straightforward vocal into something completely different.
In this chapter, I explore different ways to create robotic and vocoder-style vocal effects. I demonstrate Ableton’s Spectral Resonator and TAL-Vocoder, showing how to shape harmonics, unison, pitch and other parameters, route MIDI into a vocoder and use processed vocals creatively for effects such as call and response.
In this chapter, I show you how pitching can completely change the character of a vocal. I demonstrate Ableton’s pitch and formant controls, pitch automation, Pitch Monster and Little AlterBoy, as well as looking at stereo behaviour and how Utility can help when processing affects the vocal’s stereo image.
In this chapter, I show you how to turn a full vocal into playable chops using Ableton Simpler and Serato Sample. I explore slicing by transients and regions, triggering chops with MIDI, pitching and reversing individual slices and combining different patterns to create completely new vocal hooks from the original sample.