In a hurry?

At a glance, here are my top tips for mixing rap vocals:

1. Correctly apply EQ and compression
2. Layer and align vocal tracks
3. Use overdrive/saturation
4. Use pitch correction on melodic rapping
5. Mix your adlibs
6. Use delay instead of reverb
7. Work with the timbre of the artist’s voice
8. Use vocal bus tracks
9. Have a go-to vocal effect chain

What do I need to mix rap vocals?

When mixing any kind of vocals, you need a good pair of monitors and open-back headphones to hear every nuance of your song in extreme detail.

Some of my personal favourite headphones are the beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Headphones. These open-back headphones provide the clarity and immersive sound reproduction required for mixing vocals. Not only that, the ultra-soft earpads and adjustable headband make them ideal for long listening sessions.

Checking your mixes on different mediums is extremely important, so you should be working with both headphones and monitors to mix your song. A pair of PreSonus Eris Studio 8 Studio Monitors are perfect for mixing/mastering music at home or in the studio thanks to high-end components and cutting-edge technology.

You’ll also need a DAW (digital audio workstation). FL Studio has long been my go-to DAW for recording and music production, with its streamlined interface making the recording and mixing process an absolute breeze.

Last but certainly not least, your choice of effect plugins can make or break your mix. Get to know different effects and how they can be used with each other – this will help you create a crisp lead vocal sound. One of my go-to EQ plugins is the FabFilter Pro-Q which provides advanced precision when it comes to EQ’ing and mixing vocals.

Our tips for mixing rap and hip-hop

1. Correctly apply EQ and compression

When applying EQ, it’s about balance rather than just cranking up the highs and lows. Begin by cutting out any low-end rumble below 80 Hz to remove unnecessary mud. This makes room for your kick and bass to shine through.

Next, find and slightly reduce any frequencies between 200-500 Hz that make the vocals sound boxy. This will help you achieve clarity without making the vocals sound thin. For that sparkle and presence, a gentle boost around 5-6 kHz can do wonders, making the vocals stand out in the mix.

Compression is equally crucial as it ensures consistency in the vocals by taming any peaks. Start with a moderate ratio (around 4:1) and adjust the threshold until you’re compressing the louder passages just enough to even things out. Don’t forget to use make-up gain to bring the level back up after compression.

The key with both EQ and compression is subtlety. You want to enhance the vocals, not completely alter their natural character. Experiment with these techniques, and you’ll find your rap and hip-hop vocals sitting perfectly in the mix.

2. Layer and align vocal tracks

When layering, the goal is to add depth and emphasis without cluttering the mix. Start with your main vocal track, then add layers for emphasis on certain words or phrases.

These additional layers should complement, not compete with, the lead. However, timing discrepancies between layers can muddy the mix, so use your DAW’s editing tools to align these tracks as closely as possible. Pay special attention to consonants and sibilants. Professional plugins such as Synchro Arts Vocalign or Sound Radix Auto-Align 2 can do the work for you by automatically aligning multiple audio tracks.

Additionally, consider the stereo space. Panning layered vocals slightly off-centre can create a wider, more engaging soundstage. Just be cautious not to spread too wide as the vocals can lose their central focus.

Finally, as discussed in our previous tip, apply EQ and compression to your layers carefully. You might want to slightly reduce the low frequencies and boost the highs on your backing layers to differentiate them from the lead. This ensures the lead vocals remain front and centre, with the layers adding richness and texture without overshadowing the main performance.

3. Use overdrive/saturation

Overdrive and saturation are powerful mixing tools. When applied carefully, they can add warmth, character, and grit, helping vocals cut through the mix.

You can use your DAW’s native plugins or incorporate professional third-party plugins such as Soundtoys Devil-Loc 5 or Newfangled Saturate to achieve the sound you’re looking for.

For a subtle effect, start by applying a light overdrive or saturation to your vocal track. This can thicken the sound, giving it a slight edge that makes it more present in the mix.

The key is to use it sparingly; you’re looking for a touch of warmth without overt distortion. Adjust the drive and output levels until you find that sweet spot where the vocals feel more alive but still natural.

Overdrive and saturation can lift your vocal above the instrumental to give you a clear vocal track that cuts through the mix and takes centre stage. They can also be used as a stylistic choice; applying lots of the effect to the main vocal track can make it sound distorted and aggressive.

Artists such as Run The Jewels and Public Enemy have been known to use distortion on their main vocal tracks on certain songs to give them a punchy and energetic feel that also lends itself to the production.

4. Use pitch correction on melodic rapping

Pitch correction is an indispensable tool in any producer’s toolkit, especially for melodic rappers where vocal melody plays a central role. When used correctly, it ensures vocals are in tune, without sacrificing the artist’s unique style and emotive expression.

While some DAWs will have pitch correction tools built-in, I recommend using professional plugins such as Anatres AutoTune or Celemony Melodyne to achieve the best possible sound. To start, identify the key of the track and set your pitch correction software accordingly.

For a natural sound, adjust the retuning speed to a moderate setting; too fast, and you risk the notorious ‘auto-tune effect’ – unless that’s what you want!

Listen through and identify specific notes or phrases that are off-pitch, applying correction only where necessary. This selective approach preserves the natural variations in the artist’s performance, enhancing rather than overpowering their original sound.

You should also consider the emotional content of the lyrics. Sections with more emotional weight may benefit from less correction to keep the rawness intact, whereas more rhythmic or flow-focused parts might need tighter tuning for crispness.

Formant correction can also be a useful tool for maintaining the vocalist’s natural timbre, especially when making significant pitch adjustments.

5. Mix adlibs

Mixing adlibs in rap and hip-hop tracks gives you a chance to be bold and creative. Given their role as background vocals, you can afford to be more aggressive with EQing and mixing to ensure they complement the lead vocals without overshadowing them.

Start by applying EQ liberally to carve out space for adlibs within the mix. High-pass filtering can remove unnecessary low frequencies that might muddy the overall sound. Boosting the highs slightly can also help adlibs cut through, giving them presence without competing with the main vocals.

Stereo separation is another powerful tool for mixing adlibs. Spreading adlibs across the stereo field – i.e., panning them to the left or right – can create a sense of width and depth, making the main vocals feel more centred and focused.

Remember, the key to effectively mixing adlibs lies in balance. They should enrich the track, providing support and colour to the lead vocals, without becoming a distraction.

6. Use delay instead of reverb

While reverb adds spatial effects by simulating various acoustic environments, it can sometimes overwhelm the vocals, especially in dense mixes common in rap and hip-hop. Delay, on the other hand, repeats the vocal at set intervals, adding depth and dimension without sacrificing clarity.

The trick with delay is to use it subtly. A short, slap-back delay can thicken the vocals, making them stand out in the mix without the washiness that reverb might introduce. This can be particularly effective in verses where the lyrics need to be extremely clear. For hooks or more melodic sections, a slightly longer delay time can add a sense of space and grandeur without blurring the words.

Automating delay sends allows for dynamic mixing. By applying delay only on certain words or phrases, you can create emphasis and variation throughout the track, drawing the listener’s attention to key moments without constant background effects that might clutter the mix.

Another advantage of delay is its ability to sit the vocals in the mix without competing with other elements. By adjusting the feedback, mix, and timing settings, you can achieve a subtle echo that enhances the vocal track, ensuring it remains front and centre.

7. Work with the timbre of the artist’s voice

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Every artist’s voice is different, and it’s this unique tonal quality that dictates how the vocals interact with the rest of the mix. So, make sure to make tailored EQ adjustments that suit the rapper.

For artists with a higher voice, the EQ strategy needs careful management of the mid to high frequencies. These voices can easily become too piercing or thin if not handled correctly.

A gentle cut in the harsher high-mid frequencies, combined with a slight boost in the lower mids, can add warmth and body, helping the vocals blend more seamlessly with the beat.

Artists with a deeper, bass-heavy voice require a different approach. Because of the natural richness and depth of these vocals, you want to avoid overwhelming the mix’s low end. Instead of broad cuts in the low frequencies, make targeted adjustments that preserve the voice’s character while ensuring clarity.

This might involve a slight boost in the upper mids to bring out the articulation and detail of the vocal performance.

8. Use vocal bus tracks

Utilising a bus track for all vocal takes in rap and hip-hop production is a game-changer. This technique allows for collective processing of the main vocals, adlibs, and any layered tracks, ensuring they blend seamlessly within the mix. By routing these elements through a single bus, you can apply EQ, compression, and effects uniformly, effectively “glueing” the vocals together.

A bus track simplifies the mixing process, providing a central point of control over the vocal elements that ensures consistency in volume, tone, and effects. For example, a compressor placed on the vocal bus can smooth out variations between the main vocal track and additional layers, delivering a consistent level of dynamic range throughout the song.

Similarly, applying reverb or delay to the bus track rather than individual tracks can create a shared acoustic space, making the vocals sound as if they’re all coming from the same environment.

9. Have a go-to vocal effect chain

Having a template vocal chain is a huge time-saver in the mixing process, especially when working consistently with the same artist. This approach allows you to start with a preset chain of effects that are tailored to the artist’s voice, offering a solid foundation for further refinement.

A template vocal chain might include EQ settings to enhance the artist’s unique timbre, compression to smooth out dynamics, and specific effects like reverb or delay that suit their style. You can then use this template as a starting point for every new track, ensuring consistency across projects and significantly reducing the initial setup time.

This method doesn’t just streamline the workflow; it also ensures a level of consistency in the artist’s sound, which is crucial if you want your sound to be recognisable. Plus, a go-to vocal chain gives you time to be more creative and experimental.

With the basics already covered, you can focus on fine-tuning and exploring new effects or processing techniques to elevate the track further.

Importantly, while a template provides a head start, it’s essential to remain flexible. Each track has its unique context and may require adjustments to the template settings. The goal is to balance efficiency with the need for customisation, ensuring the vocals always sit perfectly in the mix.

FAQs

How do you mix crispy rap vocals?

Mixing crispy rap vocals involves precise EQ and compression. Cut the low frequencies and boost the highs slightly to achieve clarity; then add compression to ensure the vocals sit well in the mix without overpowering other elements.

Should you double rap vocals?

You should double up on your rap vocals if you want to add depth and emphasis. This technique is often used for hooks or specific lines to make them stand out. It’s not always necessary but can be effective when used judiciously.

Do I need to tune rap vocals?

You may need to tune rap vocals if you’re working with melodic rap. In this case, subtle pitch correction can enhance the performance without losing authenticity. It’s about striking the right balance between polished and rawness.

Final thoughts

Mixing is an art form and something that cannot be learned overnight, but we hope these nine tips for mixing rap and hip-hop vocals have taught you a few new methods or brought a new perspective on approaching your production.

From getting your EQ and compression just right to subtly applying pitch correction, a few tweaks here and there can make all the difference. You might also want to give your tracks a bit of an edge with overdrive or use some delay to add space and depth without muddying your sound.

Keep in mind that mixing is as much about your own creative touch as it is about these tips. Here’s hoping you feel a bit more equipped to tackle your next project!