Colin, you are such a great communicator. I’ve enjoyed many of your videos as I discover the mysteries, complexities of GarageBand. I appreciate your clear cut explanations of the various aspects of recording. It’s so helpful. I just downloaded your free ultimate Garage Band guide for added insights. Thank you!
Thanks Colin - this video definitely changed my mind about using vocal tuning. I'm a vocalist myself in a live band, and I've been singing for about 30 years and think i'm pretty damn good, but your video made me realize i probably don't hit EVERY note perfectly and that a little tuning might go a long way in terms of bringing my recordings from good to great. Thanks so much for everything you do!
When you dragged the first note into place and played it back I laughed maniacally in enjoyment. It sounds super natural, I’m definitely getting this plug in!
Vocal tuning always seemed like something that was so wildly out of my scope, but the way you explained the Waves plug-in (which I’ll be getting very soon btw) really made this digestible. I randomly came across your gain staging video a week or two ago, and that was something I had never even HEARD of, let alone seen in a GarageBand tutorial before. Seriously was like finding the missing link in getting my mixes to sound the way I wanted. I’ve been on and off using GarageBand to make demos for my band, but recently I’ve taken to self recording and producing something of my own, just for the challenge. I’ve been more inspired than ever to step up my game because of all this new knowledge so thanks for spitting some serious game 🙌
I guess i've been a little conservative about most of the tools that kind of help you sound better than what you perform. What i'm afraid of is that many use that instead of improving their own skills. Kind of take the easy way out. But on the other hand it can really visualize what's going on and if people can work together with their tools it can be of great help I think. The way you used it is acceptable for me. The other side of it is if the feeling of having done a great job with the vocals will be a little diminished when you know that it is a computer that have fixed the tricky part of it. So as an old school person it has always been important to challenge myself and be better because that's one part of why I love music. To be able to overcome my limits. Great video and cool tool though!
Same here. This is because the human voice is unique from ALL other "instruments", and accuracy in pitch IS the primary sign of real skill, followed closely by timbre and natural expression. Our voice and skill are the hallmark of talent, and this principle is far truer than for any other instrument---it's what makes a voice an actual instrument for music, not just speaking. 😊
Awesome tutorial that has made me awed at the various aspects of making and hearing music!!!! I love music, compose and sing songs, have already brought out 7 audio albums and now doing my eight album, and....I don't know or identify the key of a song, don't know about tuning, and haven't studied music! Thanks dear Colin for making the unknown known to me, I have been recording and mixing and mastering the songs of my eight album in GarageBand. Looking forwards to the remaining 5 pearls that are going to proceed from your mouth regarding auto tuning. Now, regarding this work of tuning of the vocals, I guess is to be undertaken before commencing your 6-step mixing process, right? BTW, you are looking very tired in this tutorial. I guess you need a break! Being a medical doctor, now retired, I strongly suggest you take a week's time out and enjoy the birds that sing so sweetly and don't have to worry about needing guitars and drums to make their voices better😀🙏
I haven't messed around with vocals much, but I trust all the other stuff I've learned watching your videos. It'd be great to fix some plosives, etc. Thanks, Colin 👍
Very good! I'm doing my own vocals (and composing---arrangement and orchestration) on my own version of the hymn "Be Thou My Vision." The solo vocal recording is in an office 😂 but not too bad. Your video has helped me see the precise way small imperfections can be adjusted without compromise of good singing. I also play French horn and violin, which are NOTORIOUS for needing absolutely constant pitch correction---EVERY SINGLE MICROSECOND. 😅 THANKS for your marvelous teaching and help!!!
Good morning Colin, thank you SO MUCH for this! 👍 I am so close to actually finishing a track but I just wanted to tighten up all my backing vocals using the GarageBand' pitch correction, but I have identified a problem. Now firstly, I haven't used Pitch correction before. The problem is, when I say give my backing vocals 43% pitch correction and tune them to key, EVERY track is given the same tuning! But I don't want to tune every track? I have definitely selected Track and not Region. Your help would be greatly appreciated PLEASE. 🙏 This plug in looks amazing! Thank you and best wishes from a French forest. 👍🌞🇬🇧
Hey dude, I was wondering something. I'm having some difficulties getting my song as loud as I want. The question is: are you available for some online lessons? Thanks davi.
They Davi- just seeing this! Don’t worry about how loud it is during the mixing stage. Loudness has to do with the mastering stage- check out my videos on that. I also talk about it briefly in my recent video on export settings.
Appreciate your videos. They have been very helpful. I downloaded your checklist and just bought the Waves Tune plugin. Do you or do you have to use the Rewire link. States it is not established on your video. That also the message showing up on mine. I'm using Garageband also. Do you know what the rewire link is used for? Thanks!
Great question, Aaron! Yes- rewire is basically a way for your plugin to talk back to your DAW about the location. So I would be able to move around where I'm starting the song from within the Waves Tune plugin. GB doesn't support that but it really doesn't make a huge difference- it just means I have to move around in my session to determine where I start the song.
Awesome start to vocals. If anything it may have just convinced me to just go to logic cuz it has the flex vocal feature. Have you considered doing a second channel that is all done in Logic??
Logic is a worthwhile investment when you feel ready! I actually plan on adding Logic content in on this channel at some point when I have the margin. (believe it or not the band guide was originally just a play on the fact that people call me the band guy and not a reference to GarageBand 😂 happy coincidence!) That said! I actually really love Waves Tune. Flex pitch has its advantages but it might have been beaten out by Waves tune... haven't decided yet 🤔
Hey thank you! In regards to the dynamic range? It can be tricky! Just be sure you keep it below peaking and you'll be solid (easier said than done sometimes....)
@@TheBandGuide I'm using an sm58 running through an alesis mixer, dynamics are all there, it's getting the gain and eq set so there isn't too much hiss or mud.
A great illustration of the flexibility of the tool mate. I went and got Waves tune realtime instead ( a few weeks ago)and now I'm concerned that it isn't as helpful graphically. It does have other useful stuff like formant correction etc however and great for making takes sound good live...hmmmmm Have you had a go at that plugin too?
Tune Real-time is also great! It doesn’t give you the graphic flexibility, but it has so much flexibility to adjust the other parameters that it can definitely do the trick. If it works for you then it’s plenty! I sometimes only tune my lead vocal with a graphic tuner (like I show here) then use one like tune real-time on all the backing vocals
Question: If I have layered vocals in my track (unisons, gang vocals, etc.) do I need to tune ALL of them using this method? Or just the lead vocal? Seems like it would take forever going layer by layer tuning
Hi man, came late to the party. I noticed in the subsequent parts of this video (I've watched them all and they've help me a lot) the waves tune is not in the "Plug-ins column" down the Track section. I got the plug in and I don't know if I put it first, before or after EQ or compressors, or last? I also noticed it lowers the volume a bit after wave tune processes the track, is this normal. Appreciate any help, thanks!
Is pitch correction not a good enough option for doing this? I definitely want to try out tuning vocals, but only for certain parts of the song. As a hip hop artist who prefers the raw sound of a passionate artist. However maybe a bit of tuning might go along way on my mixes, because the sound is just off and I am pretty frustrated by it.
What’s your recording setup like, Kris? Makes a HUGE difference to how they are recorded and mixed. One mic? A couple mics? Of a full multitrack setup?
Do what I do, sing from the heart and it will come through everytime. The off notes will too but damn those notes are a part of me. Tuning them I'll pass. But hey I am sure people who have heard me sing think I SHOULD tune them 😎
@@Theactivepsychos After hanging around here awhile I realize I am in the wrong place. For me music is about the heart and soul of what one writes as opposed to the going down that dark rabbit hole and tinkering and "tuning" things. I work super hard on my songs and every line I write and if the sound is imperfect, like I am, then that makes it even more me. Every hour I spend trying my 4th compressor means an hour I am not being creative. All my 2 cents of course. I will unfollow this guy right now. Sorry but I am in the wrong place but thanks a lot to The Band Guide for the tips I do use.
@@pageluvva and don’t dismiss the discipline of the creative process. It would be like Picasso not tightening his canvas or Monet not using turps to fluid his paint. It’s fine if you done want to do it but it’s still creative. Creativity is often mistakenly confused with being artistic. If you make a song or a painting for yourself, that’s one thing, but to make it for other to enjoy is another matter. The best thing to do if you don’t like the processes such as compression is to hand it off to an expert. Good luck though.
Well I just wanted a really real feel to my vocals , rightly or wrongly only people can judge that I guess ? I just want it to feel and sound as good way as possible including the sharpe and flat notes 😬 something I debated for a long time 🤔
I hear a tinny, robot sound even with just a tiny little bit of vocal tuning. Kind of like a dog that can hear stuff that humans can't. I'm not a really strong vocalist but I'd rather piece together something close to perfect from a gazillion takes than using pitch correction.
i paid for this plug in for my M1 Macbook Air strictly on your recommendation.. after I paid for the plug in, they are requiring that i purchase some sort of "renewel" plan in order to use it.. something you failed to tell your viewers about.. are you aware of this extra yearly charge? I had no idea i'd be 'renting' it for just a year.. deceptive if you ask me...
Hey man! That’s not what it is. You own the plugin for good. The renewal plan is their update plan. Most versions work across multiple operating system updates, but occasionally they have to do major updates to them. They cover updates for good for the first year (so if Mac totally changes the operating system and they have to update the plugin) and then after that you can either get the renewal plan OR hold off and just pay if/when you need to. I used one version for 7 years I think? I didn’t have to update at all until I got a new computer and then it was way less than buying them all new. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s better than a full on subscription system or a what some plugin companies do which is to totally stop supporting old versions and charge nearly full price for you to update. Hope that makes it clearer. Definitely not trying to hoodwink anyone here
I promise I am not trying to be rude but this video is pointless the whole point of typing in GarageBand is to not have to download or pay for presets that’s very uncool dude .
Garageband is a good option regardless. Some are so strapped for funds that small investments, like single plugins, facilitate actual productivity, not having to save up hundreds of dollars over months and even years to purchase a whole suite of stuff at one time. Sometimes you'll never progress to actual release. Small investments are reasonable.
‼️ FREE PRO Vocal Checklist: www.thebandguide.com/provocalchecklist ‼️
Colin, you are such a great communicator. I’ve enjoyed many of your videos as I discover the mysteries, complexities of GarageBand. I appreciate your clear cut explanations of the various aspects of recording. It’s so helpful. I just downloaded your free ultimate Garage Band guide for added insights. Thank you!
Thanks Colin - this video definitely changed my mind about using vocal tuning. I'm a vocalist myself in a live band, and I've been singing for about 30 years and think i'm pretty damn good, but your video made me realize i probably don't hit EVERY note perfectly and that a little tuning might go a long way in terms of bringing my recordings from good to great. Thanks so much for everything you do!
When you dragged the first note into place and played it back I laughed maniacally in enjoyment. It sounds super natural, I’m definitely getting this plug in!
The song on this tutorial kicks ass and is so relatable 😅
🙌🏼 Thanks dude! It's from my band, Broke Royals. It'll be out on our next album. Hopefully dropping as a single this fall.
Vocal tuning always seemed like something that was so wildly out of my scope, but the way you explained the Waves plug-in (which I’ll be getting very soon btw) really made this digestible.
I randomly came across your gain staging video a week or two ago, and that was something I had never even HEARD of, let alone seen in a GarageBand tutorial before. Seriously was like finding the missing link in getting my mixes to sound the way I wanted.
I’ve been on and off using GarageBand to make demos for my band, but recently I’ve taken to self recording and producing something of my own, just for the challenge. I’ve been more inspired than ever to step up my game because of all this new knowledge so thanks for spitting some serious game 🙌
That’s awesome, Ryan! I’m stoked to hear what you do with it. It’s amazing what can be done in GB with some intentionality
Checklist is awesome Colin. Great reference
Thanks, John!
I guess i've been a little conservative about most of the tools that kind of help you sound better than what you perform. What i'm afraid of is that many use that instead of improving their own skills. Kind of take the easy way out. But on the other hand it can really visualize what's going on and if people can work together with their tools it can be of great help I think. The way you used it is acceptable for me.
The other side of it is if the feeling of having done a great job with the vocals will be a little diminished when you know that it is a computer that have fixed the tricky part of it.
So as an old school person it has always been important to challenge myself and be better because that's one part of why I love music. To be able to overcome my limits.
Great video and cool tool though!
Really respect and appreciate all these thoughts, Tommy!
Same here. This is because the human voice is unique from ALL other "instruments", and accuracy in pitch IS the primary sign of real skill, followed closely by timbre and natural expression. Our voice and skill are the hallmark of talent, and this principle is far truer than for any other instrument---it's what makes a voice an actual instrument for music, not just speaking. 😊
Awesome tutorial that has made me awed at the various aspects of making and hearing music!!!! I love music, compose and sing songs, have already brought out 7 audio albums and now doing my eight album, and....I don't know or identify the key of a song, don't know about tuning, and haven't studied music! Thanks dear Colin for making the unknown known to me, I have been recording and mixing and mastering the songs of my eight album in GarageBand. Looking forwards to the remaining 5 pearls that are going to proceed from your mouth regarding auto tuning. Now, regarding this work of tuning of the vocals, I guess is to be undertaken before commencing your 6-step mixing process, right?
BTW, you are looking very tired in this tutorial. I guess you need a break! Being a medical doctor, now retired, I strongly suggest you take a week's time out and enjoy the birds that sing so sweetly and don't have to worry about needing guitars and drums to make their voices better😀🙏
You have excellent tips. Thank you. Exporting what I am happy with (and re-importing uncompressed) has been such a great help for me and my workflow.
Thanks, Brian! Glad to hear that :)
Oh hell yes! I had been wondering about the vocals I try to capture, and this answers those questions. Thank you. And I got your guide a while back.
I haven't messed around with vocals much, but I trust all the other stuff I've learned watching your videos. It'd be great to fix some plosives, etc. Thanks, Colin 👍
That's exactly right! This same principle can apply to a lot of different sources
Very good! I'm doing my own vocals (and composing---arrangement and orchestration) on my own version of the hymn "Be Thou My Vision." The solo vocal recording is in an office 😂 but not too bad. Your video has helped me see the precise way small imperfections can be adjusted without compromise of good singing. I also play French horn and violin, which are NOTORIOUS for needing absolutely constant pitch correction---EVERY SINGLE MICROSECOND. 😅 THANKS for your marvelous teaching and help!!!
Brilliant, I'm buying this now! Thanks
Awesome, Clive!
this is a great video and super super super helpful. Thanks Colin
Thanks, Chris! 🙌🏼
thanks 👏
have never used tuning before
looking forward for new videos!
Hey you’re welcome!
YES
WITH THIS I WILL TAKEOVER THE WORLD
This man is a hero
Wow, I am so glad I found your channel!! Great explanations and super helpful. Nice 🙌🏻
Ace, this is great 🙏
🙌🏼
You’ve been a great teacher dude, thanks lots
Loving your videos. Can I just check, do you still recommend Waves as a budget friendly pitch correction plug in?
Looks like a great vocal tuning plugin.
Definitely really like this one!
Thank you for sharing, I use the one that comes with the GarageBand! But this looks great I may have to invest in one!
Good morning Colin, thank you SO MUCH for this! 👍
I am so close to actually finishing a track but I just wanted to tighten up all my backing vocals using the GarageBand' pitch correction, but I have identified a problem.
Now firstly, I haven't used Pitch correction before. The problem is, when I say give my backing vocals 43% pitch correction and tune them to key, EVERY track is given the same tuning! But I don't want to tune every track? I have definitely selected Track and not Region.
Your help would be greatly appreciated PLEASE. 🙏
This plug in looks amazing! Thank you and best wishes from a French forest. 👍🌞🇬🇧
fantastic video as usual thanks
Hey dude, I was wondering something.
I'm having some difficulties getting my song as loud as I want.
The question is: are you available for some online lessons?
Thanks davi.
They Davi- just seeing this! Don’t worry about how loud it is during the mixing stage. Loudness has to do with the mastering stage- check out my videos on that. I also talk about it briefly in my recent video on export settings.
Appreciate your videos. They have been very helpful. I downloaded your checklist and just bought the Waves Tune plugin. Do you or do you have to use the Rewire link. States it is not established on your video. That also the message showing up on mine. I'm using Garageband also. Do you know what the rewire link is used for? Thanks!
Great question, Aaron! Yes- rewire is basically a way for your plugin to talk back to your DAW about the location. So I would be able to move around where I'm starting the song from within the Waves Tune plugin. GB doesn't support that but it really doesn't make a huge difference- it just means I have to move around in my session to determine where I start the song.
I'm in love with this app after watching this video. SOLD. I call it the "Ozzy App." ;)
Great video Colin. So amazing that this can be done in GB. I purchased the software and it also gave me Waves LT. Is there a difference?
Awesome start to vocals. If anything it may have just convinced me to just go to logic cuz it has the flex vocal feature. Have you considered doing a second channel that is all done in Logic??
Logic is a worthwhile investment when you feel ready! I actually plan on adding Logic content in on this channel at some point when I have the margin. (believe it or not the band guide was originally just a play on the fact that people call me the band guy and not a reference to GarageBand 😂 happy coincidence!)
That said! I actually really love Waves Tune. Flex pitch has its advantages but it might have been beaten out by Waves tune... haven't decided yet 🤔
My biggest issues with recording vocals is dialing in the preamp. Haha mixing and eq is easy after learning from you.
Hey thank you! In regards to the dynamic range? It can be tricky! Just be sure you keep it below peaking and you'll be solid (easier said than done sometimes....)
@@TheBandGuide I'm using an sm58 running through an alesis mixer, dynamics are all there, it's getting the gain and eq set so there isn't too much hiss or mud.
@@TheBandGuide which is a chore when it's just myself left to dial it in.
A great illustration of the flexibility of the tool mate. I went and got Waves tune realtime instead ( a few weeks ago)and now I'm concerned that it isn't as helpful graphically. It does have other useful stuff like formant correction etc however and great for making takes sound good live...hmmmmm Have you had a go at that plugin too?
Tune Real-time is also great! It doesn’t give you the graphic flexibility, but it has so much flexibility to adjust the other parameters that it can definitely do the trick. If it works for you then it’s plenty! I sometimes only tune my lead vocal with a graphic tuner (like I show here) then use one like tune real-time on all the backing vocals
This is great, given me a whole new perspective on auto tune. Thanks a million for sharing. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
The hair🙌
Question: If I have layered vocals in my track (unisons, gang vocals, etc.) do I need to tune ALL of them using this method? Or just the lead vocal? Seems like it would take forever going layer by layer tuning
Please can you share the link to where I can buy the plug in? Thanks
Hi man, came late to the party. I noticed in the subsequent parts of this video (I've watched them all and they've help me a lot) the waves tune is not in the "Plug-ins column" down the Track section. I got the plug in and I don't know if I put it first, before or after EQ or compressors, or last? I also noticed it lowers the volume a bit after wave tune processes the track, is this normal. Appreciate any help, thanks!
Is pitch correction not a good enough option for doing this? I definitely want to try out tuning vocals, but only for certain parts of the song. As a hip hop artist who prefers the raw sound of a passionate artist. However maybe a bit of tuning might go along way on my mixes, because the sound is just off and I am pretty frustrated by it.
Great plugin. Has anyone had any issue when exporting? When I export, the signal gets increased by 10dB...
will you please make videos on getting good mixes with REAL DRUMS.
What’s your recording setup like, Kris? Makes a HUGE difference to how they are recorded and mixed. One mic? A couple mics? Of a full multitrack setup?
Do what I do, sing from the heart and it will come through everytime. The off notes will too but damn those notes are a part of me. Tuning them I'll pass. But hey I am sure people who have heard me sing think I SHOULD tune them 😎
That’s the thing with Colin’s channel and the purpose of it, it’s to tech us to create music _other people_ will want to listen to.
@@Theactivepsychos After hanging around here awhile I realize I am in the wrong place. For me music is about the heart and soul of what one writes as opposed to the going down that dark rabbit hole and tinkering and "tuning" things. I work super hard on my songs and every line I write and if the sound is imperfect, like I am, then that makes it even more me. Every hour I spend trying my 4th compressor means an hour I am not being creative. All my 2 cents of course. I will unfollow this guy right now. Sorry but I am in the wrong place but thanks a lot to The Band Guide for the tips I do use.
@@pageluvva don’t through the baby out with the bath water. But if you’re getting all you want from the music you produce then you’re doing it right.
@@pageluvva and don’t dismiss the discipline of the creative process. It would be like Picasso not tightening his canvas or Monet not using turps to fluid his paint. It’s fine if you done want to do it but it’s still creative. Creativity is often mistakenly confused with being artistic. If you make a song or a painting for yourself, that’s one thing, but to make it for other to enjoy is another matter. The best thing to do if you don’t like the processes such as compression is to hand it off to an expert. Good luck though.
When I exported the tuned track and then import the wav file it is now in stereo and a LOT louder. What am i missing?
Answered my own question. Uncheck "Export project at full volume" in advanced preferences.
I’ve actually made the decision not to use any tuning plugs ,
Why’s that, Lee?
Well I just wanted a really real feel to my vocals , rightly or wrongly only people can judge that I guess ? I just want it to feel and sound as good way as possible including the sharpe and flat notes 😬 something I debated for a long time 🤔
I hear a tinny, robot sound even with just a tiny little bit of vocal tuning. Kind of like a dog that can hear stuff that humans can't. I'm not a really strong vocalist but I'd rather piece together something close to perfect from a gazillion takes than using pitch correction.
i paid for this plug in for my M1 Macbook Air strictly on your recommendation.. after I paid for the plug in, they are requiring that i purchase some sort of "renewel" plan in order to use it.. something you failed to tell your viewers about.. are you aware of this extra yearly charge? I had no idea i'd be 'renting' it for just a year.. deceptive if you ask me...
Hey man! That’s not what it is. You own the plugin for good. The renewal plan is their update plan. Most versions work across multiple operating system updates, but occasionally they have to do major updates to them. They cover updates for good for the first year (so if Mac totally changes the operating system and they have to update the plugin) and then after that you can either get the renewal plan OR hold off and just pay if/when you need to. I used one version for 7 years I think? I didn’t have to update at all until I got a new computer and then it was way less than buying them all new.
It’s not a perfect system, but it’s better than a full on subscription system or a what some plugin companies do which is to totally stop supporting old versions and charge nearly full price for you to update.
Hope that makes it clearer. Definitely not trying to hoodwink anyone here
Ok but how to open lead box
Is this available for ios?
I’m not sure, actually!
What song is this?
It’s a new song from our next NEXT album my band, Broke Royals, is demoing 😎 dig it?
Based on the section you played, the song is in the key of A, not E.
I promise I am not trying to be rude but this video is pointless the whole point of typing in GarageBand is to not have to download or pay for presets that’s very uncool dude .
Garageband is a good option regardless. Some are so strapped for funds that small investments, like single plugins, facilitate actual productivity, not having to save up hundreds of dollars over months and even years to purchase a whole suite of stuff at one time. Sometimes you'll never progress to actual release. Small investments are reasonable.
👍