How to Produce a Massive Vocal Wall of Sound | Devin Townsend

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  • Опубліковано 29 жов 2018
  • Find out how musician/producer Devin Townsend turns his own vocal performance into a massive wall of sound. If your music needs a huge vocal choir but you only have your own voice to work with, check this out. Watch more from Devin: www.waves.com/devin
    Watch more tips on mixing vocals: www.waves.com/learn-vocals
    Check out more plugins for processing vocals: www.waves.com/vocals
    Plugins used in this video:
    Renaissance DeEsser: www.waves.com/rendesser
    Renaissance Equalizer: www.waves.com/reneq
    V-Comp Vintage Compressor: www.waves.com/vcomp
    Renaissance Reverb: www.waves.com/renreverb
    H-Delay: www.waves.com/hdelay
    "Truth" composed by Devin Townsend, from the album Transcendence by the Devin Townsend Project. Live performance from the DVD Ocean Machine - Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv courtesy of Devin Townsend.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 631

  • @drrodopszin
    @drrodopszin 5 років тому +1305

    Give this poor man his damn 200 voice choir!

  • @AlRomo.
    @AlRomo. 5 років тому +344

    "Just pick the default options" you just gave me the solution to my life.

    • @redel37
      @redel37 5 років тому +1

      Best comment!

    • @cccc4life
      @cccc4life 4 роки тому +1

      Not gonna work bro

    • @danymalsound
      @danymalsound 4 роки тому +8

      @@SteveStockmalMusic "Don't be afraid to use presets" - Kane Churko (In This Moment, Papa Roach, Five Finger Death Punch, etc) \m/

    • @janneboman8573
      @janneboman8573 4 роки тому +8

      Also, experiment with extremes. If you have a guitar/bass pedal, see what the knobs do at min/max, halfway, etc. That way you get an idea of the characteristics.

    • @arthurperez4884
      @arthurperez4884 4 роки тому

      Exactly couldn't have said it better

  • @AstraVex
    @AstraVex 5 років тому +492

    SO...
    * Soften The Transients
    * 300ms to 500ms - ping pong delay
    * Hall Reverb to soften the delay transients
    * Compress with Fast Attack & Release, crush it at 4:1 Ratio
    * Be devoted enough to make 30+ vocal harmony tracks of yourself.
    * ???????
    * -Profit- Coffee

    • @CaptainBenetration
      @CaptainBenetration 5 років тому +7

      Lmao. I've never agreed with anything so much as this. 😅

    • @alex9ten884
      @alex9ten884 5 років тому +3

      thanks

    • @thygod
      @thygod 4 роки тому +14

      "Devoted enough"
      You say that like it isn't fun as fuck layering those things.

    • @Jolontokhalilswork
      @Jolontokhalilswork 4 роки тому +1

      yes thats the fact

    • @rockbandftmfw9
      @rockbandftmfw9 3 роки тому +1

      @@thygod Its work Ill tell ya, shit isnt easy

  • @kfitzi
    @kfitzi 5 років тому +173

    I love his approach. The sub-mixing allows him to stop wasting time on rethinking every decision. You commit early to the first sound that sounded good and you focus on the big picture all the time.
    Brilliant way to keep your eyes (and ears) on the prize. Fast decision making is a major key to success in any field, and here too.

    • @rix0r222
      @rix0r222 5 років тому +9

      thanks for making this clear. I couldn't quite understand the benefits of the sub-mixes, but now it's obvious.

    • @sirriffsalot4158
      @sirriffsalot4158 Рік тому

      Yeah, except for.. well.. anything to do with safety, say like a construction site, lol! :)

  • @psychicandice
    @psychicandice 5 років тому +759

    More please. I wish this video was seven hours long. Something tells me Waves Audio edited out thirty minutes of classic Devin quips and dad jokes lol

    • @andreassmidelov
      @andreassmidelov 5 років тому +51

      If you're looking for more, I'd recommend checking out his session with Toontrack, where he basically creates and produces the song "Stars" in a 2 hour livestream :)

    • @_patrikjay_
      @_patrikjay_ 5 років тому +5

      Me too watching artists mix their stuff...is so needed...I'd watch ten hours..while playing guitar of course....

    • @erra1645
      @erra1645 Рік тому

      Possibly - but he explains it clearly enough to get the idea of what he's doing. It's just one audio sample copied and mixed with the original audio sample but on a short delay, or a future copy, spliced with the same audio sample on fade-in, fade-out effects and mono vs. stereo mix-and-match. The technique itself is actually very simple, but it is time consuming and the final product is a complex, multi-layered piece of music. The "money-money-money-money-money" echo also requires proper timing - too short or too long both kill what you're going for. Have to get it right in that sweet spot. I was doing something similiar to this back in high school when I was using Audacity and tried to create a spliced together version of all the different bands that had made a cover for "Enjoy The Silence" but it was obviously more simplistic and with nowhere near the same level of time dedication to it as I suspect Devin does.

  • @lanelauhoff
    @lanelauhoff 5 років тому +67

    6:37 New notification tone.

  • @yebele2913
    @yebele2913 5 років тому +511

    "I'm not a fan of options" - Devin Townsend

    • @Patrick-857
      @Patrick-857 5 років тому +86

      No proper artist is. Limitations breed creativity.

    • @slimkickens
      @slimkickens 5 років тому +5

      @MorbidManMusic then he'd just use hardware.

    • @slimkickens
      @slimkickens 5 років тому +5

      @@Patrick-857 yup. I own a few decent mid size tube amps, a couple good mics, and the waves CLA bundle. 90% of everything I do gets pushed through a CLA-2A

    • @FellishBeast
      @FellishBeast 5 років тому +3

      I think he's my spirit animal.

    • @Zero-oq1jk
      @Zero-oq1jk 5 років тому

      @@FellishBeast You witch

  • @RyanStrainMusic
    @RyanStrainMusic 4 роки тому +175

    "I take the low end, and I back that up"
    I bet you do BOIIIII

    • @Ravver
      @Ravver 4 роки тому +12

      lmfao

    • @Oshidorinohina
      @Oshidorinohina 3 роки тому

      im glad i wasnt the only one who thought that

  • @chickencatapult
    @chickencatapult 5 років тому +361

    This is Bob Ross level relaxing to watch.

  • @Mtaalas
    @Mtaalas 4 роки тому +35

    It's wonderful that REAPER allows you to do these submixes as "sub projects" you don't have to render and render again, you just make a project within a project and it renders the output for you and insterts it into a track :D

    • @plummetplum
      @plummetplum 3 роки тому +1

      Some one tell Devin that, I can really see the value of sub projects for this application, the beauty of it is you can go back and change it awesome.

  • @SiGhast
    @SiGhast 5 років тому +19

    The subtitles have impeccable comedic timing at 10:47.

  • @d3laiah
    @d3laiah 5 років тому +248

    I'm completely shocked to see how much work and genius goes into these recordings and mixes. Devin is like 5 geniuses coming together and collaborating, only it's all inside this one persons magnificent brain and body. what an artist, what a human being... just unreal.

    • @sharpen-up
      @sharpen-up 5 років тому +6

      Makes me want to try harder in my productions!... That's both a good and a bad thing...

    • @IrateWizrd
      @IrateWizrd 5 років тому +9

      And he's released multiple albums in the same year many times. God damned incredible

    • @SteveStockmalMusic
      @SteveStockmalMusic 4 роки тому

      Craaaaaazy good

    • @michaelandreyev5029
      @michaelandreyev5029 4 роки тому +3

      Funny you say that cause his mixes aren't particularly genius. I for one love his talent but find his songs technically pretty mediocre - bland and unfocused, too much space and air. Never liked that in a mix and I don't know who would.

    • @twolvy9023
      @twolvy9023 4 роки тому

      @@michaelandreyev5029 You should probably listen to Alien or Deconstruction

  • @tckapral
    @tckapral 5 років тому +53

    Devin is a freaking master.

  • @HeadbangersKitchen
    @HeadbangersKitchen 5 років тому +38

    I love Devin :)

    • @nnnneeeeuuuu
      @nnnneeeeuuuu 4 роки тому

      Headbanger's Kitchen your recipes are great, nice to see you’re a devin fan too

  • @brianaverett7251
    @brianaverett7251 5 років тому +51

    I have no idea what you're talking about but, I'm entranced

  • @Byhythloh
    @Byhythloh 5 років тому +24

    I literally know nothing about producing music or any of that tech stuff...but watching Devy work is always so fascinating .

  • @donmurphy7666
    @donmurphy7666 5 років тому +4

    One of the first things I mentioned to the guy who got me into Devin is that all of his songs sound like he has 1000 people/instruments playing at once and it sounds amazing. Now I know how that happens.

  • @leeupton6015
    @leeupton6015 4 роки тому +2

    Loved Devin for many years now. Was supposed to see him in Manchester a few days ago but got stuck in a 3 hour traffic jam instead which was WAAAAY more fun.

  • @diegooliveirabenjamin
    @diegooliveirabenjamin 5 років тому +305

    This dude is too good! I'm not even a fan, but this is beautiful to see, and I will listen to his music from now on for sure!

    • @rlbradish
      @rlbradish 5 років тому

      Diego Oliveira was great

    • @diegooliveirabenjamin
      @diegooliveirabenjamin 5 років тому

      @@rlbradish was? He's still alive! Am I right?

    • @sharpen-up
      @sharpen-up 5 років тому +8

      I just went back to a 1996 album of his. City. Sculpted my youth!

    • @diegooliveirabenjamin
      @diegooliveirabenjamin 5 років тому

      @@sharpen-up gonna check it for sure Bro

    • @IrateWizrd
      @IrateWizrd 5 років тому +6

      @@rlbradish he's still good now, what're you talking about?

  • @mincentprice1041
    @mincentprice1041 5 років тому +46

    I was a touring musician for 26 years & have used several software based studio recording. I'm going to try some of Devin's methods, and I hope I get a fraction of results. I absolutely love how he has matured into my favorite prog metal artist with that wall of sound. He is the modern day Phil Specter producer That voice and guitar prowess are 2nd to none!

  • @synaestatic
    @synaestatic 5 років тому +10

    I love his brain.

  • @MegaStevie1990
    @MegaStevie1990 5 років тому +6

    One of the most talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to, and seeing live!

  • @A_Final_Hit
    @A_Final_Hit 4 роки тому +6

    With the exception of SYL, I've never been a big fan of his music. However, I'm a big fan of Devin because of his creativity and vision. I'd love to see more videos like this with him.

  • @npinjest7779
    @npinjest7779 2 роки тому +1

    What's most impressive is his ability to clearly explain what and why he is doing, and not just play-by-play for a sequence of steps... the required mastery of the subject matter to accomplish that is awe-inspiring.

  • @matthewleger5605
    @matthewleger5605 3 роки тому +6

    Man, I'm not a fan of prog rock or anything like that at all anymore but this was a wonderful video. Devin is very articulate; this video helped solidify my understanding of some basic terms I was pretty sure I understood. I'll be trying this trick on a song of mine tonight. Thanks, Waves and Devin!

  • @tompparmp9928
    @tompparmp9928 5 років тому +2

    Many musicians have a symphony playing in their heads just before they fall asleep. Dev is the one who puts them on tape. It takes some dedication kids! :)

  • @smashrhythm
    @smashrhythm 5 років тому +59

    He is the Zappa of our time. He’s visions are so clearly executed and masterfully crafted. It goes to show you if you give the right man the right tools, you have a masterpiece.
    Devon will always have incredibly brilliant material. Even if you’re not a metalhead there will be something in there you will like. I’m positive of that.

    • @punchmehard
      @punchmehard 5 років тому +5

      smashrhythm And has a direct line to Zappa! When he was young he got his start with Steve Vai. When Vai was young he got his start with Zappa :-)

    • @smashrhythm
      @smashrhythm 5 років тому +1

      Mark Bradford yeah true. it’s a shame Vai and Townsend had a falling out.

    • @ianmendham6671
      @ianmendham6671 5 років тому

      Hummer’s a banging album

    • @azal191
      @azal191 5 років тому +2

      @@smashrhythm they didn't. Steve played on Synchestra, they are on friendly terms.

    • @ladariusjohnson709
      @ladariusjohnson709 5 років тому +3

      Sorry
      He's no where near the level of Frank Zappa.

  • @mopembopem
    @mopembopem 5 років тому

    Devin, thank you so much. Love your music, can't get enough. Please do more videos like this!

  • @pinkjedi6664
    @pinkjedi6664 3 роки тому +1

    Damn I could listen to him talk about this stuff all day, he is truly a master of his craft!

  • @kingfckingwizard1623
    @kingfckingwizard1623 5 років тому +56

    From 10:08 onward,.. Mixing on another level,.. The way the echos just dissolved into the mix,.. Incredible

    • @kingfckingwizard1623
      @kingfckingwizard1623 5 років тому +11

      @MorbidManMusic The walls of sound,.. 4 homogeneous vocals with different panning & reverb settings,.. I can't say that is normal,.. I usually do 2. & that wasn't the lead vox

    • @monkeyrobotsinc.9875
      @monkeyrobotsinc.9875 5 років тому +1

      So basically, verb the hell outta hella delayed vocals. In that order. Brilliant.

    • @ace88bf
      @ace88bf 3 роки тому

      @@monkeyrobotsinc.9875 Works amazingly well on instruments, too. With the same method you can get an awesome lead tone for big epic notes

  • @pizzadough686
    @pizzadough686 5 років тому +2

    This video flew by, needs to be longer. Super informative from a super talented Devy

  • @billyhughes9776
    @billyhughes9776 5 років тому +2

    Devin is awesome on so many levels. I'm not even familiar with a lot of his music but anytime I find something like this with him I watch.

  • @jeremythornton433
    @jeremythornton433 5 років тому +3

    That is an amazing insight into the mind of a mad scientist! Great stuff! I hope there are a lot more of these videos and I hope the world gets to enjoy them!

  • @bluecollarstudio8513
    @bluecollarstudio8513 5 років тому +17

    Never heard of this guy but I'm definitely going to check out his tunes. Really beautiful stuff there.

    • @Monkeyneeds
      @Monkeyneeds 5 років тому +3

      Blue Collar Studio You won’t be disappointed! He’s a master!! Enjoy your ride!

    • @chrisvickroy6170
      @chrisvickroy6170 3 роки тому

      Did you ever become a fan?

    • @aldoblar
      @aldoblar 2 роки тому

      Check out his singing on Vais sex and religion album

  • @SecondaryHomunculus
    @SecondaryHomunculus 5 років тому +2

    Devy is one of rhe greatest artists of the past 200 years. He transcends music and philosophy; he becomes art in every form.

  • @HENRIAALTO
    @HENRIAALTO 4 роки тому

    Thank you Devin for all the info and for showing insight to your production process!

  • @cameronroot
    @cameronroot 5 років тому

    Always love getting tips and insight into Devin's methods!

  • @flapflapflap88
    @flapflapflap88 4 роки тому +2

    Only just starting to get into Devin, but, he is already easily my favourite person ever.

  • @CLIFFLIX
    @CLIFFLIX 4 роки тому +5

    My God, this man is a genius! He has an amazing ear for music. Devin is a truly unique muscian.

  • @jefffarver4695
    @jefffarver4695 5 років тому +1

    Had the amazing chance to sit and interview him years ago. To say hes talented, and has an unreal feel of music, is an understatement. I wish I still worked for the magazine because I'd kill to spend another hour with Devin

  • @mminjarez
    @mminjarez 5 років тому

    Hands down BEST MUSIC IN A PLUG IN PROMO VID EVER. Amazing.

  • @Kurt1969
    @Kurt1969 5 років тому +65

    One of the most honest, humble, brilliant and talented musicians out there right now. I remember watching Devin live on the Sex and Religion tour with Vai, and was absolutely mesmerized with his vocal and guitar talent. Had no he was going to take it to the moon and beyond, and then some. Great video! Too bad it's not a few hours longer ;)

  • @nicholasparis5281
    @nicholasparis5281 5 років тому +1

    Very cool demonstration, VOX layering and effects! THANK YOU for showing us the audio routing.. Idk how many effects tutorials I've seen where they simply do not show HOW the tracks are routed through their submixes and why!

  • @sisaktamas
    @sisaktamas 5 років тому +1

    It’s just like using photoshop really, layers and filters, transparencies etc. Painting with sound. You gotta love it.

  • @pimpfasho11
    @pimpfasho11 5 років тому +1

    Man, this is so dope! Thanks for sharing!

  • @Spudcore
    @Spudcore 4 роки тому

    Really useful demo, thank you ever so much Mr Townsend! I'm a big SYL fan, and it always blew my mind how huge and dense and noisy the mix was, but how you could still pick out the individual elements. It's great to get a little bit of insight into how you achieved that. Cheers Devin!

  • @skunkmaster34
    @skunkmaster34 2 роки тому

    Mr. Townsend..... You are so FVCKING based. Everyone shows the end result.....the perfection....but you Sir... show the process.... AMAZIN

  • @tgletgle9980
    @tgletgle9980 5 років тому +6

    This might be one of the best tuts i've seen! And for what its worth Waves, this earned you a subscription.

    • @tamdam
      @tamdam 5 років тому

      Same here

  • @earworm
    @earworm 5 років тому +1

    Delay into reverb and submixes. I will have to try that way more. Thanks Devin!

  • @britfoxstudios
    @britfoxstudios 5 років тому +1

    genius! nice job and thanks for sharing this brilliant tip!!

  • @HermanvanGelder
    @HermanvanGelder 5 років тому

    very inspiring! Breaking things down into multiple submixes. It makes a lot o' sense.

  • @Atem_S.
    @Atem_S. 5 років тому +1

    Sounds epic!! Wall of sounds indeed!!

  • @howdesign
    @howdesign 5 років тому +5

    And I thought I was the only fan who called his technique a 'wall of sound'! Amazing insight Dev!

  • @davelocke
    @davelocke 5 років тому +5

    How can anybody dislike this? Great insight into his brilliant mind!

  • @paulpouwelsmcmillan
    @paulpouwelsmcmillan 2 роки тому

    Well, that was excellent. Devin would be an amazing music lecturer! Such great tips and so well explained.

  • @NessunDorma732
    @NessunDorma732 5 років тому +1

    Amazing video thank you guys so much !

  • @quentinnussbaumer8922
    @quentinnussbaumer8922 5 років тому

    I feel home with this dude explaining awesome things about his awesome music

  • @robinjames29
    @robinjames29 5 років тому

    what a beautiful person and so good at articulating this

  • @MACTRUQUE
    @MACTRUQUE 5 років тому +1

    Incredibly helpful.

  • @sunsetpoet-songwriter8323
    @sunsetpoet-songwriter8323 3 роки тому

    Thanks for giving a look at your process.

  • @Quant-Beat
    @Quant-Beat 3 роки тому +1

    Thanks a lot Devin! We need pro knowledge from people like you.

  • @NiccoloMineo
    @NiccoloMineo 5 років тому

    Amazing complexity!

  • @xplanet2112
    @xplanet2112 5 років тому +1

    Thanks for posting. 😀🤘🏻

  • @JuanPiVlok
    @JuanPiVlok 5 років тому

    Devin is simply a true genius, more videos like this please

  • @Galacticat_
    @Galacticat_ 5 років тому

    Love watching the genius at work!

  • @drakenn342
    @drakenn342 5 років тому +1

    Devy's specialties seem to be making beautiful walls of sound and creating melody out of anything.

  • @wouterdesmedt1736
    @wouterdesmedt1736 5 років тому +1

    Extremely inspiring. Also, epic air quotes.

  • @nigelstewart7920
    @nigelstewart7920 3 роки тому

    Hi Devin, I've never heard your music before, but I'm going to thoroughly investigate your back catalogue. I really enjoyed your sound.

  • @DispelMusic
    @DispelMusic 4 роки тому

    Thank you for sharing. This is amazing...

  • @sapiensesciencecerveau2523
    @sapiensesciencecerveau2523 Рік тому

    Dev's sound is my stress test for any sound system or headset. This insight of Truth gives basically the blueprints of the vocal wall of sound down to the furthest background "hee" echoes I've never caught in the final mix.

  • @JQLLC
    @JQLLC 5 років тому +3

    Hevy Devy is a metal Brian Wilson. Just massively impressive. I hope this video shows that he's putting out a new album.

  • @Jamusictv
    @Jamusictv 2 роки тому

    Simply brilliant! Mind blown 🤯

  • @Signal_Intelligence
    @Signal_Intelligence 5 років тому

    Sounds great Devin.

  • @1n35pbso
    @1n35pbso 4 роки тому +2

    he does almost the same with the guitars I'm pretty sure, so there's a couple more walls of sound than just one. And that's a huge work. Devin is great as always!

  • @hunterrogersmusic
    @hunterrogersmusic 4 роки тому +1

    I love this man!

  • @marc-antoinemetivier2854
    @marc-antoinemetivier2854 5 років тому

    Devin is so articulate. The guitars are cruching in that mix!

  • @realraven2000
    @realraven2000 5 років тому +4

    A fun variant of the 2 pairs of pans is to record the snippets by standing in different places of the room (especially great if you have an open plan staircase in the studio) with a pair of stereo mics. You get a real sense of "having a choir" with that. Just keep sending your singer around and let him sing the same notes over and over. (don't try this on your own, unless you have a slick remote control on your daw)

  • @joeymusic
    @joeymusic 5 років тому +6

    Very helpful!

  • @Locrian1
    @Locrian1 5 років тому +1

    Nice work. I generally end up with about 6 main submixes... More recently I've started submixing those 6 to 3 tracks. It's an excellent way to commit to an idea as well as simplifying the complex.

  • @cccc4life
    @cccc4life 4 роки тому

    Thanks alot this tutorial is beyond informative

  • @ivanandreev9289
    @ivanandreev9289 4 роки тому

    Love you Devin!

  • @Dyldozer666
    @Dyldozer666 4 роки тому

    Brilliant producer he is. And a musician as well.

  • @geddyleesowlnose
    @geddyleesowlnose Рік тому

    he revealed his signature sound for FREE. Respect!

  • @logothescanandeffectmaker2122
    @logothescanandeffectmaker2122 4 роки тому

    Incredible stuff!

  • @TheMalikTwins
    @TheMalikTwins 5 років тому

    You have no idea how excited this makes me!!!

  • @pqdotwav
    @pqdotwav 5 років тому

    thank you for this

  • @seanmcgowan4423
    @seanmcgowan4423 2 роки тому

    Amazing!

  • @ghonair
    @ghonair Рік тому

    Now this was a really great video, great own stile, like it very much. Congratulations.

  • @deathfall80
    @deathfall80 4 роки тому

    Perfect!!!

  • @xellakov
    @xellakov 5 років тому

    Awesome, thank you

  • @raymondmeadows5363
    @raymondmeadows5363 5 років тому

    Master of his craft. How much I'd give to be a fly on the wall in his mixing/post-production process.

  • @mickeymiguel2726
    @mickeymiguel2726 Рік тому +1

    Devin great explanation

  • @keithb2055
    @keithb2055 5 років тому

    right what I got was .... vocal 1,2,3 and 4..... the rest went over my head! .... still.... never mind still love Dev's music.... that mad, cheeky, brilliant, music wizard! Devin's music is not just for Christmas, its for life!

  • @ClipofTheDayy
    @ClipofTheDayy 5 років тому +2

    This man is insanely good, knows what he is doing, wish I was this good.

  • @HeavyDude3000
    @HeavyDude3000 3 роки тому

    You got to love this guy 😊

  • @sski
    @sski 5 років тому

    Ah, so I've been doing it right all along. Thanks for the conformation.

  • @Vor_Tex_Sun
    @Vor_Tex_Sun 5 років тому

    this is pure gold

  • @christophersoren1768
    @christophersoren1768 4 роки тому

    Legendary!

  • @Demanufactur3r
    @Demanufactur3r 5 років тому

    Great, I never heard the HEEE vocals previously, now its the first thing that stands out. Will never unhear.

  • @kriskenard
    @kriskenard 5 років тому

    We love you, Devin