Chorus and Doubles on Your Backing Vocal Bus

Chorus and Doubles on Your Backing Vocal Bus – Backing vocals are the secret weapon in your production arsenal. They add depth, texture, and emotional weight to your songs. But sometimes, they can sound a little thin or lack that professional polish. That’s where chorus effects and doubles come in, taking your backing vocals from good to great on your dedicated bus.

The Power of Chorus

A subtle chorus effect can be a game-changer for backing vocals. It thickens the sound by creating slight pitch variations, replicating the natural imperfections of multiple singers. Here’s how to use it effectively:

Start with a Slow Rate and Low Depth: A super warbly chorus will sound seasick-inducing. Begin with a slow rate (around 0.5Hz) and a low depth (around 25%). Adjust from there based on the desired effect.
Experiment with the Mix: Dial in the chorus effect to sit subtly beneath the dry signal. You want to enhance, not dominate, the vocals.

Double Trouble (the Good Kind)

Doubling is a classic technique for creating a fuller, more powerful vocal sound. Here’s how to create effective doubles on your backing vocal bus:

Record a Second Take: Have your vocalist sing the parts again, aiming for a close, but not identical, performance to the original.
Fine-Tune Timing: Slight timing variations between the original and the double add realism. Use nudging tools in your DAW to achieve this.
Panning Magic: Pan the original vocal slightly left and the double slightly right. This creates a wider stereo image.

BUY NOW! RECORD, MIX AND MASTER – A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO AUDIO PRODUCTION

Combining Chorus and Doubles

The real magic happens when you combine chorus and doubles. Here’s the approach:

Process the Doubles First: Apply the chorus effect to the doubled vocals before summing them together on the bus. This creates a more cohesive, chorused sound.
Subtle Compression (Optional): A touch of compression on the backing vocal bus can help glue everything together. Be mindful not to overdo it, as it can squash the dynamics.

Bonus Tip: Experiment with Pre-Delay

Adding a pre-delay to your chorus effect can create a cool “slapback” effect, pushing the chorused signal slightly behind the dry vocal. This can add a vintage vibe or a sense of space.

Remember:

Use high-quality plugins for your chorus effects. Free plugins can be great, but professional plugins offer more control and sonic fidelity.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Trust your ears and adjust the settings until you achieve the sound you’re after.

By utilizing chorus and doubles effectively on your backing vocal bus, you can elevate your productions and create truly professional-sounding vocal arrangements. So, fire up your DAW, grab your favorite chorus plugin, and get ready to take your backing vocals to the next level!