Mixing Modern Pop Vocals - Warren Huart: Produce Like A Pro
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- Опубликовано: 20 авг 2024
- Download the multitracks of this song for free: www.producelik...
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In today's video, I'm showing you how to achieve a modern lead vocal sound that stays present throughout the song and cuts through a dense mix. We discuss Compression, EQ, parallel processing and automating multi-effects throughout the song to keep the listeners interest and help the song to build and progress. I hope you enjoy the tutorial!
Have you missed our previous two videos? You can watch them here:
1. Mixing Drums: www.producelik...
2. Mixing Bass: www.producelik...
3. Mixing Guitars, Keys and Synths: www.producelik...
Produce Like A Pro is a website which features great tips to help the beginning recordist make incredible sounding home recordings on a budget.
![[TF2] The Russian Bear Trap](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YFNSwz2_rOA/mqdefault.jpg)
Warren, in my opinion, you are the best recording/producing teacher on the web. Thanks so much.
Warren you are the coolest man on planet earth for taking the time to individually reply to our comments. Thank you for being such a grounded and intelligent artist. It means a lot to all of us!
Aw shucks thanks ever so much Allan! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing! Many thanks Warren
Warrens hair style is analog too
Hi Chile AZM, yes indeed! My hair is full blown Analog with twin transformers! Haha Have a marvellous time recording and mixing! Many thanks Warren
What plugins is he using?
@@Producelikeapro Legend..
@@LowFrequency waves plugins 🙂
Hi Friends, today we're getting into the fourth chapter of our free Mixing Pop/Rock series: Mixing Modern Pop Vocals In this video, I'm going to show you how to achieve a modern lead vocal sound that stays present throughout the song and cuts through a dense mix. We discuss Compression, EQ, parallel processing and automating multi-effects throughout the song to keep the listeners interest and help the song to build and progress. Please download the files and have fun mixing the track! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren, please could you make a video about doubling the vocals (with fill ins etc.)and how to arrange them in a song to make it sound professional?
Hi FrancisJoa, thanks ever so much for the video suggestion! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
My favorite vocal compression chain:
1) Waves Q2 to high-pass and remove thumps/pops. I don't tone-sculpt much here, just enough to remove the energy that I'm not using anyway, so the compressor isn't triggering on stuff you don't hear.
2) CLA-2A on compress mode as a leveler, which usually swings between -1 to -10dB.
3) CLA-3A on limit mode to catch anything that slips through the 2A, normally -2 to -5dB at most.
I audition each of the compressors in bypass mode, and then in active mode, to try and get the average level the same going out as it was coming in, just tamed afterward. This is helpful for troubleshooting over-compression, or swapping in other compressors for color.
4) Finally, I add F6. Pull some low mids (200-400Hz, depending) by a few dB. Push 7.5 to 9k (usually centered at 8kHz) by as much as necessary -- 4.5 to 9dB, depending on the vocals and mic. Grab a little at 4.5 to 6k and back it off a bit, if the vocals are too sharp. I'll also use the dynamic EQ feature to control the mid-lows, upper-mid, or highs. Rarely need a de-esser anymore after this.
If I'm mixing BG vocals, where there are multiple takes, 1) and 2) are replicated on each individual track. 3) and 4) go on the subgroup.
I am still amazed by the fact that you share all of this stuff freely and, most important, by the light that comes out from your soul. It's inspiring and reminds me to stay humble.
It's probably the most important trick here :)
Have a marvelous time living your life !
Thanks ever so much Steph! That's huge! That really means a lot to me!! Thank you ever so much!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Warren, I've been watching mixing tutorials for ages for I'm always wanting to learn more, and have to say, I'm addicted to your videos, they are hands-down some of the best out there. The way you explain things, always outlining the reasons why you would do (or not do) certain things when mixing, it's infectious, so thank you and keep it up, it's very generous of you to share your knowledge in the way you do. That said, I would love to see you do a video about mix templates, ie: how you go about routing your signals when in-the-box, from single tracks to groups to parallel for that extra push, how and when to use VCA channels, at which point do you process for certain things (the source track, the group/buss, etc). I know different engineers have their 'way' of working, but a good general starting point which could be helpful to many. Thanks!
Not quite ready to put your lessons to work yet, but your videos and interviews are leaving a mark that are so inspiring that they will be so useful when I get my project studio up and running...Thank you Warren!
Had lots of fun trying new things mixing this song. I almost never work with vocals, so automating reverb and delays is really enjoyable.
This Tutorial has totally changed my life. Thanx a lot.
Great video as usual, thanks for giving excellent stuff for free. I ALWAYS use the low octave trick in one way or another, I'm happy you do it as well. It gives the voice some fatness and warmth that you can't get with eq or compression, and it's the silliest of tricks ever. Love it!
Man I'm using your mixing techniques on the current track I'm working on and boy I forgot how powerful RVOX and RComp can be just on its own! It was the key to way I wasn't getting the warmness out of my female vocalist I was looking for! I just want to say thank you so much! You sir are freaking awesome!
If you're importing into Ableton, which I doubt many of you are,
* Remember to turn off "Auto-warp long samples" setting in Preferences before importing.
I forgot to do this and all the files were warped all out of time with each other.
All good now :D
I have this feature still enabled and every time, you can do this - when seting up session, just select all wavs and click yellow warp button. If button stays half yellow, go and search for track, which stayed warped :)
Thanks for the tip satansrobotho! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Great thanks Miroslav! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
wow thanks
Thank you so much, I feel so grateful for having the chance to see how professionals work, especially when you're a beginner (and it's free !).
Hi Arpinz, thanks very much fro your kind words! I really appreciate it! I am so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Warren, this is great! I'm going to have my entire recording class at the University of Memphis watch your tutorial videos and do their own mix of this tune. This will be a "marvelous" project for them. It's a great song, too. Cheers from Tennessee!
Wow! Thanks ever so much Jeremy! That is amazing! If you'd like to do a Skype call with your students I would love to do that. Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I generally like using RVox with a CLA 76 on the Blue Stripe mode, especially for male vocals when you need that brightness but don' want to add too much colour with an LA 2a emulation. RVox's gate is also really forgiving and doesn't really take too long to find a decent setting. Cheers Warren, loving these multis and the mix walkthrough!
This video deserves more views. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Such an awesome video and great approach on mixing pop vocals Warren. I'm actually about to download the session and play around with the vocals. I can't wait to try out these vocals on my Apollo 8 and NS10s.. Thank you so much for posting this.
Hi Archie, great stuff! Glad you enjoy the video! Have a great time mixing the tracks! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing! Many thanks Warren
All good things bear repeating. ::::: compressing the delay like that is a sweet trick. I've given up on a delays because they were all over the instrument or vocal like you said. I'll have to refer back to this someday.
Hi L. Scott Music, thanks ever so much!! Glad you enjoyed that Loren! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I'm having quite a bit of fun with these tracks (or should I say a marvellous time playing with them), thanks Warren!
Warren I must say that this is my favorite channel on RUclips, I've seen almost every single vid now, keep making great content, btw (we need more studio tours 😁)
Hi Riley, aw shucks thanks ever so much!! I really appreciate your extremely kind words!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Thank you Warren for this series. It was very educational and fun to watch. I just downloaded the tracks and I look forward to mixing the song.
Hello Warren. Can you please elaborate on what you meant when u said about your vocal fatteing trick, 'I pan them left right, -3,+3 on the pitch, -6 +6, -9 +9'. I didnt understand this at all. Thanks for all the wealth of knowledge you are sharing here. Love your work
Dude those burn made you look like count Dracula! Especially with the all black here, dark bro! Love it!
Fantastic video as usual! Learned a ton and now it's off to implement this new knowledge. Thank you as always for the splendid content!
That’s amazing to hear!!
Hey Warren, just have a mix the song now. Man it's great. I actually think your bass performance and recording is spot on for this song! Very similar to the Two Door Cinema Club and Modern Dinousaurs. Bratty but I think it has to be!
Thanks Warren! Some great tips once again, especially on your use of reverb! Dig it.
Thanks Matt! So glad to be able to help!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I love love love LOVE your videos!
Things I find in other videos that I don't like.
1.) the person shooting the video pats themself on the back a little too much. They spend sooo much time talking about themselves and their thoughts and feelings. The video becomes less of a tutorial and more of a dear diary vlog.
2.) Over kill! Giving 1 or 2 examples to help the listener better understand is great! Repeating yourself 100 times or rewording what you just said 50 different ways is super annoying!
Out of all the channels I'm subscribed to. I find this channel to be the most helpful.
Sorry I missed this live. Absolutely amazing.
Thanks very much I am so glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording, many thanks Warren
Great video! Love the sidechain trick on the delay cannot wait to try that when I get home
Eres un crack Warren ,por favor sigue traduciendo tus vídeos 👍
Awesome approach! Very Helpful video series! Greetings from Mexico!
Some stuff I do normally in here but there are a few gems in here that really inspired me to implement! And yes I am doing marvelously well! Thanks Warren! \m/
Great Morning video!!!! i use the vocal thickening trick in live situations and works really well!! All the best
Hi Hugo, great stuff! Glad to be able to help!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
A great singer ..I must say she has a good tone to her voice
Thank you for the tutorial..:)
Hi Bobby, thanks very much for your kind words! Yes, Lily is a wonderful singer! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
You are very welcome Warren
I hope Lily does really well
I wish you continuous success for the future
Hi Warren,
Are you changing the output of the vocal to a group or sending the signal of the vocal to different sends to fx or groups? I didn't understand it. Thank you very much for your time.
Hi Lytos, great question! I send my lead vocal to a separate bus, the reason I do that is I will automate the level so it hits my compression easily. If you're using clip gain you can also do it that way! The effects I use are sent from the Vocal sub. I hope that helps? Thanks for watching! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Thank you very much for your answer, then we're using almost the same system. Thanks for your time!
Hi Lytos, you're most welcome! I agree, it works best for me! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Wow, hasta los grandes aprenden en youtube! Un saludo Lytos :)
Maravilhoso mestre de mixagem! Parabéns!!!
Yis. Great point saving/rescuing good performances.
Thanks very much!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Thanks for the helpful tutorial Warren.
3:55 I can tell you're digging it a lot :D
Hi Lion's Heart Productions, haha yes indeed! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Warren, you are brilliant.
Hi Warren, that vocal-delay-comp s.chaining is a fantastic idea. Save you a lot of hardwork on automatization :) Could you please explain it in a couple of sentences if you have a little time? Thanks a lot for you amazing videos! Cheers
Happy B-Day Warren🍾🎶💥✨🎼
Thanks ever so much MozTV! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Some nice tips, thanks. many of them I use myself.
New fan here, love yours videos, thank you for sharing 💪💪💪
it's amazing! Thanks, Warren.
Very nice and useful, actually I’ve seen these techniques being done in Pensado’s tuts on vocal. I saw another video on vocal thickening you did, very nice, cool tip.
Thanks! I learned most of these tricks from guys like Jack Douglas who worked with Aerosmith in the 70’s and John Lennon, also Shelly Yakus who did many albums in the 69’s and 70’s Tom Petty, John Lennon and many more. Maybe Pensado picked up these techniques in the 90’s from guys like this too?
Thank you for taking time to respond, I’ll check more of your tutorials, great stuff.
Right, I see, probably he picked from those guys, sure he didn’t invent those but older engineers you’re referring to, agree. It doesn’t really matter it’s important to carry them on. Didn’t mean to be negative, really enjoyed the detail you give away. 💪💪
Keep going I love this!! -from the Red Carpet Studio
Hello!
Thank you for sharing this tutorial. Can you give me any advice about my setup? I have: rode nt2a, yamaha msp10 monitors, rme 800 soundcard, presonus rc500 preamp. maybe i have to change any of the devices to achieve a better sound? Thanks!
Thank you so much! The video is very helpful!
So glad to be able to help!
Great video as always the vocal sounds nice and I love the way the reverb sounds inside the mix. What compressor do you use or suggest when compressing into your daw?
Very great work!!
Gday marvellous Warren hope you're doing well, great video as always. I was wondering whether the harmonies were sung or created with melodyne? I do this a lot, usually a third higher, is that what this particular one is? Sounds great btw it really adds to the chorus.
Hi Warren - enjoying this series. QUICK QUESTION: You use the Waves MV2 extensively in your Mixing (especially when Mixing your Bass - to get a consistent Low-End). As each application of the Waves MV2 applies dither - Are you not concerned with the multiple applications of DITHER this then applies within your Mix?
marvellous tutorial..
Hey Warren,
Great video! Few questions for you, hopefully this helps anyone else who might be wondering:
1) What do you think about using Maag EQ for the extra air instead of MCDsp? Since you're bumping 2dB around the 7K - Have you done a comparison? I don't own MCDsp so I wouldn't know but I have the Maag EQ and love it but I could only use the air band around 5k or 10k (Which I'd probably use 10K thinking it would avoid the more annoying freq range to the human ear might be around 2k to 5k range.
2) Why use Waves R-DeEsser vs Waves DeEsser. Is the non "R" one more aggressive? I noticed you went aggressive on the VOC DIST SUB on the 1st DeEsser then on the last one on the chain you only went around 3dB vs the 6-8dB gain reduction. Any reason why you didn't place R-DeEsser at the end of that chain?
3) Since you're using your verbs (MV2) etc in STEREO vs Mono, do you ever shoot a Mid Side HPF to cut out lows out of the MID and leave the side alone so it can do its "stereo spread"?
4) Is there a reason why your DynDly tracks have H-Delay in Mono and not Stereo when your overall track output seems to be showing stereo in Pro Tools?
Thank you for this video again, the mix and song sounds great to my ears and that girl has a lovely voice (Some parts she kind of reminded me of Gwen S).
Thank you Mr Marvelous, you have officially replaced some of my other subscriptions.
Chris
Hi Chris, great questions! I love the Maag stuff, I'm sure it would sound amazing for the extra air! You can definitely use many other De Essers! That's just one I happen to like, but there are many others that will also do a great job! I'm not personally a fan of Mid Side, I don't like any phase issues it creates. Sometimes I use my delays as split mono, allowing me to send single mono tracks that remain in mono, but I will also use stereo only if sending just a single signal. Yes, I agree, many people have compared her to Gwen Stefani! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Produce Like A Pro interesting, I'm going to look into mid/side phasing issues. makes sense with the mono/stereo delay decision. I am still conceptually learning more about mono vs stereo In all aspects. Thanks WH.
Thanks for your kind words Chris! I am always learning myself! Glad to be able to share my experiences! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Am downloading the files now. Will show u guys my final mix when am done . Am just starting so please take it easy if u notice a few mistakes tho I'll do my best
Great stuff Kris! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing! Many thanks Warren
Hey Warren, great videos. When the video just started I couldn't help hearing the octave effect. I found it distracting. Then you explained what it was and that was all I could hear after that. Lol. Does this not suck a lot of the low end energy from the mix? Thanks.
clap clap clap clap clap clap clap... GREAT TUTORIAL.
Get in! Loving it!
Hi SteveJoeAllen, thanks very much! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
No! Thank You! Since discovering your videos I've learned so much, and more importantly, I feel inspired to make/ mix and generally be musical, almost more than ever before (and that's saying something!)
That;s so great to hear SteveJoeAllen!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Nice! Similar to what I do with the octave below. Cool trick. 👍
Fantastic stuff Ilan!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
This is gonna be the most obvious question ever but: Those bright green tracks are AUX tracks right?
Ty!
Nice videos! For some reason, if i set up my lead voc the way you appear to, i get crazy delay compensation problems. By that i mean, if i send the OUT of the main comped voc to a voc sub bus and a dirty bus, and send both of those to another aux that goes out to my dangerous 2 bus, i'm in flam city. But if i just send the voc sub and dirty bus directly out, there's no issue. Protools is really annoying sometimes.
Nice Tips! Thanks.
Thanks very much Baytown Studio!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Good morning from Spain Warren!!! at first thanks for share your knowledge and makes me grow as producer.
My question is why do you make the sends of vocal harmonics pre fader?
Thanks Warren!!
Very nice!
Thanks very much Juan! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Amazing!
there's some open source desktop recording program called OBS that lets you record and resize specific windows on your desktop that would be good for making video like this. I think.
Great ideas!
Hey Warren -- just curious why you're not using (e.g.) Waves Doubler to pitch-shift the vocal choruses as opposed to using separate tracks? Seems like that would do exactly the same thing -- pan and alter pitch by a few cents -- without cluttering your track list.
What a song and what a vocal.
Has the song been released?
Hi Philip, thanks ever so much! Yes the album is out! Here it is:- itunes.apple.com/us/album/little-empire/id1066141388 Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Great video!
Thanks very much ozorg! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
marvelous
Marvellous!
Tnx 4 tips sir
you mentioned that you record with more compression than most....about how much gain reduction did you shoot for when recording her? fast attack for her dynamics?
By looking at the harmony it is obvious that it is a copy of the lead vocal so you must have autotuned it or used a pitch shifter. I wish I had that option but I always actually sing the harmonies. Not sure that my waves diamond bundle has anything to do that.
Anyone else notice how the preamp under the monitor portraits an illusion of being insanely thin?
Hi warren, lot of thanks to create a great videos ! i follow allmost all your videos !
Question from here, im not a Pro Tools user, im using Studio One, i didn't understanding your routing for a vocal..
Is it like this ?
Lead Vocal
send to -> sub vocal
send to -> sub vocal dist
send to -> verb
send to -> tiled room
send to -> 1/8 delay
send to -> 1/16 delay
and all the bus ( sub vocal, etc.) are send out to the 1 bus ? How about the lead vocal ? set the output to the same bus in effect or separate it ?
I can't see clearer here :(
I'm just trying to understand the routing in Pro Tools :D
Sorry for comenting ur old videos, cheers !
Great question! Typically I send the lead vocal to a vocal bus, that vocal bus feeds all of the effects buses. I hope that makes sense?
thanks for your reply ! i will try it :D
The vocal sounds fantastic! Was it tracked via a Lewitt mic? What model?
Yes indeed Jer F! It was a Lewitt LCT940! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I love you
Aw shucks Haha thanks Leo! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
What did you use to record this vocal? tHE VOCAL it´s already beatiful, what micforone did you use?
5:15 mark
If you find yourself liking the balance a compressor (or compressor plugin) but don't like the click/spank it adds, how do you getting rid of it or adjust settings so it doesn't stick out too much on the vocal attacks. Thanks!!!
Ooh, learnt some nice stuff there! Ta!
Thanks Pat! Glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Thanks Pat! Glad to be able to help! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
I honestly don't get the don't compress on the way in mentality. I mean, especially in pop, you're probably going to compress the hell out of the vocal anyway so why not make it easier for you and have a sound that's closer to what you want in the first place? I get having options is nice but I find the more options I have the less I'm focusing on the song. And I'm actually from the "new school"...
Hi Heartbeatzofficial, great comment! When people first start off and they don't yet understand compression I do suggest they only use compression lightly until they grasp how it works and can create the best results! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Hi Warren, what are the benefits when you have seperate tracks (sidechain) for reverb, delay etc? do you highly recommend it?
Allows you to blend the dry signal with the reverb if your reverb doesn't have a blend function on it, and it allows you to send multiple instruments to the same effect if you put your reverb on a separate track.
Hi Mr Greenviolence, I believe Luuk beat me to it with a great explanation! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Thanks Luuk for your great explanation!! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Hello loved this video! I have a question ....if you are a singer and you not trained conventionally but you have written a song and recorded it into to your DAW and now want to make a song arrangement around it but are not really sure what key you are singing in how would I know what key to make the track in around it and what key to put for the auto-tune in? Any tips for that because for some reason when I write a song and try to make an arrangement around it it just seems so difficult and daunting vs just making a song over a beat I already made. Any tips for knowing what key ?!!
Thank you for all the wonderful information...can i do an afrobeats remix of this song?
Yes! Whatever you would like!
What was the whole vocal chain used? 👌
Hi A LiL Cee Style, great question! On this song I used a Lewitt LCT940 - BAE 1028 - DBX160 - UREI 1176. Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Ok, so, super nerdy detail haha is your 160 the X or the XT?
Hi David, great question! Nerdy is good! It's a DBX 160 VU! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
You missed EchoBoy for delays and Decapitator for thickness sound.
There's always something more I could do for sure The Godfather! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Hi! Do you have the video about the multiple compressor that make attack effect for vocal which you like in this video?
Hi Warren,
Great video as always. Thank you! Happy belated birthday.
Just wanted to know if you would treat your vocals the same way (thickening,delays,verbs etc.) for a ballad?
Many thanks!
Hi dharmaBum55, great question! I often do the vocal effects on every song, but apply them in different levels from one song to another! The Vocal thickening trick I use very often! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Produce Like A Pro marvelous! Thanks for the quick reply. Have a great day.
You're most welcome dharmaBurn55! Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
Thanks
Thanks ever so much
22:45
Salute Mr. Huart!!!! I'm a scientific engineer who's found time to finesse your multitracks. I have to ask: why do you record vocals above the industry chosen -14 dbfs output?
Hi The Stereopsist, thanks for the question! I record vocals the same way I've recorded them for last 30 years, the same way as everyone I know does. I have seen recently that people growing up in digital are debating levels since the bit rate has improved dramatically, I wouldn't call this a standard. I hope that clarifies? Have a marvellous time recording and mixing, many thanks Warren
+Produce Like A Pro- Nice! I've been recording since 1980. No matter the technology or culture, I've noticed: you can pressurize a fire hose with a kitchen tap. Pressurizing the kitchen tap with the firehose, will overload the smaller pipe. Same goes with SPL.
* to clarify I stated "industry chosen" because the major distribution platforms have begun loudness normalizing to -14 dbfs. Those automated compressions are not pleasing.
@@BigStereoVR Normalizing a completed song is a whole other thing from the level at which you record your individual tracks. In general, I strike a compromise -- record as hot as possible, while leaving a little more headroom than I think I could possibly need for the loudest transient I'm likely to get. Or, in other words: Loud enough to avoid noise, and quiet enough to avoid clipping. Is noise really an issue anymore? Not in the recording stage, no. But it still feels good to have a healthy signal level.
It doesn't much matter if you undershoot or overshoot a little, as long as you don't clip too badly, or at least in a way that doesn't sound good. That's why every channel gets its very own fader. :-)
What would you do with vocals on a soul / blues track?
Hello Warren, was curious if this vocal was recorded with an outboard compressor?
Just wondering how would you implement the same things in logic
Hey! I'm using Ableton Live so I'm not so familiar with the Pro Tools interface, but are you sending your main vocal track to those "green" tracks as return tracks? Thanks!