How to Mix Vocals to Blend Live
- 1). Set all the drum levels to start. In order to have a good mix and allow the vocals to blend properly, you must mix the rest of the instruments to the right levels. Loud drums or individual instruments will prevent the vocals from blending in a live mix. Set the kick and snare to the correct level, roughly equal and build the rest of the drums around those elements.
- 2). Mix the rest of the instruments into the drums. Once the drums are set, mix in the guitars, bass and keyboards so that none are overpowering. Blending vocals is easy if the rest of the mix is solid and set. If one or more of the instruments is overpowering, your vocals will not blend in when you try to mix them.
- 3). Add basic compression to the vocal channels. Compressing the vocals will help them blend in better, as they will stay strong and loud during soft parts of songs, and also be heard clearly during loud parts. Compressors even out the dynamic range of the input source, so using them effectively is the first step in effect manipulation for vocal blending.
- 4). Add reverb to the vocal channels. When a singer sings close to the microphone, the signal is dry even if the room in which they are performing is large. Adding reverb can help the vocals blend with the other instruments. The audience will be able to hear some sound from the stage from the other instruments, so adding reverb to the vocals on the mixer can help the vocals blend with the natural reverb from the stage. Start with small amounts and do not overdo it, as the vocals will sound unnatural with too much reverb.
- 5). Ride the faders. Vocalists naturally get louder and softer with their dynamics, so riding the fader for the main vocal channel can add a bit or realism to the vocals. Many vocalists are not aware of the sound of the vocals, so adjust the faders for them to blend it all together. If there are parts where the vocals are too loud, pull the fader down a bit to blend it in with the part. If the vocals are being drowned out by guitar, raise them up a notch.