One thing I do a ton of but don’t talk about much is back up vocals – oh, and Sabine (my wife and partner) too. It is one of our specialties. 

 

What I notice about a lot of back up vocals that clients record and send me to mix is that they often aren’t all the way thought through. They may be inconsistent from section to section, or they might be harmonies, then hit unison and go back to harmony. Sometimes, it’s just notes that don’t fit the chords. 

 

Sometimes rhythm is not lined up well—which surprises me when it’s the same person that is singing the lead. Sabine and I make sure it’s all worked out—and that means digging deep to find the right passing tones and movement of notes. Adjusting how we might interpret rhythm or how we might pronounce things to match the lead vocal, etc. 

 

I think I enjoy it as it’s a bit like playing in a horn section or ensemble and trying to attain a singularity.