Beginner Tutorial: How to Mix VOCALS in Logic Pro X

So, you've got your vocals recorded and ready to go in Logic Pro X. Now, what's next? In this article, I'll walk you through the basics of mixing vocals, perfect for beginners looking to polish their tracks. Let's dive in!

1. Clean Up Your Tracks

Before diving into the mixing process, it's crucial to clean up your vocal tracks. Remove any unwanted noise, pops, clicks, or background sounds. These seemingly insignificant distractions can become more noticeable once you start applying effects like gain and compression. Use Logic Pro X's editing tools to tidy up your tracks, ensuring a clean slate to work with.

2. Pitch Correction (When Needed)

While not always necessary, pitch correction can be useful, especially for melodic vocals. In Logic Pro X, utilize the Flex Pitch feature to adjust pitch and fine-tune parameters like transition. Remember not to overdo it; a natural, slightly imperfect vocal can often sound more authentic.

3. EQ and Compression

EQ and compression are essential tools for shaping the tone and dynamics of your vocals. Start by making subtle EQ adjustments, cutting frequencies in the low-end and mid-range to clean up the sound. Next, apply compression with fast attack and medium release settings to even out the dynamics. Follow up with a second compressor for further control, adjusting settings as needed. Finally, add a limiter to tame any rogue peaks and ensure a consistent volume level.

Here's a screenshot from my LPX session. The above region (in green) is before compression. The region below (in blue) is after compression. A lot more even in terms of loudness, which increases intelligibility and makes it more pleasant sounding. If overdone, life will be sucked out of it, so push a bit, but not too far. You want to retain those transients (but not all of them)