Dua Lipa's distinct vocals have left an indelible mark on electronic pop music. Her powerful vocals can portray a range of emotions in different scales. This article covers techniques to mix your vocals like Dua Lipa.
Prepare the Vocal Tracks
Split lead vocals, harmonies, and backing vocals into separate tracks before you start mixing. It allows for more precise control over each element. Label your tracks clearly to avoid confusion during the mixing process.
Clean up your tracks by removing unwanted elements. Use crossfades between clips to avoid clicks and pops at edit points. Pay attention to the start and end of each phrase! There should be no abrupt cuts or unwanted sounds.
Consider comping your vocals if you have multiple takes. Select the best parts from different takes to create the perfect performance. A well-comped vocal will make the mixing process much smoother.
Listen to the track carefully. Make notes of any problem areas or sections that might need special attention during mixing. This preparation will save you time and frustration later in the process.
Shape the Tone with EQ
Start with a high-pass filter to remove low-end rumble. Set the filter to shape the tonal balance of the recorded vocals. It helps clean up the low end without affecting the fundamental frequencies of the voice.
Address any resonant frequencies. A narrow Q to cut can help with problem areas. Prevent vocals from sounding boxy by removing muddiness. Reduce harshness and boost the high end to make vocals sound bright. Use a wide Q to help vocals cut through the mix. It can give your sound a solid presence.
Make small adjustments and frequently compare your changes to the original. Be careful, as it is easy to go overboard with EQ. Consider using a dynamic EQ on problematic frequencies. It helps you to control certain frequencies only when they become an issue. You can preserve the natural audio dynamics of the vocal in the mix.
Even Out the Dynamics with Compression
Use a compressor with a medium attack and release. Adjust the threshold of gain reduction on the loudest parts. It evens out the volume of your vocals.
You can get Dua Lipa's sound with any LA-2A-style compressor. These offer a smooth compression that works well on vocals like Duas. The LA-2A adapts to the incoming signal for the best result. It takes the guesswork out of compression.
Compression affects the character of the voice. Too much of it can make your voice sound lifeless. Find the balance that provides control without sacrificing the natural quality of the voice.
Tame Sibilance
Place a de-esser after the compressor to reduce the harsh “s” and “t” sounds. Listen to the most sibilant parts of the vocal. Adjust the frequency range to target the problematic areas without affecting the vocal brightness. The de-esser should focus only on the harshest sound. Aim to reduce sibilance without making the vocal sound lispy or unclear.
Add Warmth with Saturation
Use a tape emulation plugin or a dedicated saturation to add warmth to vocals. Apply just enough to hear a slight vocal thickening without obvious distortion.
Saturation can help a vocal sit better in a mix by adding harmonics. It can also help mask minor imperfections in the performance. You can try different saturation types to see what works best for your vocal style. Choose the one that fits the style of the track.
Create Space with Reverb
Dua Lipa uses a short decay to give her voice space in the mix. Create a separate reverb send channel. It allows you to EQ and compress the reverb separately from the dry vocal. You can shape the reverb's tone to fit better in the mix without affecting the dry vocal sound.
You can use multiple reverbs for different parts of the vocal. A short room reverb is perfectly suited for verses. Apply gentle stereo widening to backing vocals and harmonies. Add a longer plate reverb for chorus parts. It gives a lovely contrast between different sections of the song.
Pay attention to the mix while adding reverb. If the vocals start sounding washed out, you use too much of it. Use just enough to create a sense of space without pushing the vocals back of the mix.
Experiment with Delay
Use a stereo delay set to 1/4 or 1/8 note timing. Filter the high and low frequencies of the delay to sit behind the main vocal. It gives an interesting depth to the sound.
Set up delay on a separate send channel for more control. You can process the delay independently from the dry vocal. Use different delays according to the timing.
Add Sheen to the Vocal
Mix the heavily processed copy of the vocal with the main track. It adds power to the mix without losing the original character of the vocals. Create a duplicate of your lead vocal. Apply heavy compression and EQ boost in the midrange. Try different processing on the parallel channel.
Double the lead vocal. Pan it slightly off-center and blend it in for a thicker sound. You can use a plugin for automatic doubling or record an actual double. Use a harmonic exciter to add brightness without boosting existing high frequencies. The vocals will cut through the mix without sounding harsh.
Fine Tune the Mix
Automate plugin parameters for more control. You can increase reverberation in certain words or phrases for effect. You might also automate EQ to control problematic frequencies only in certain song parts. It helps maintain a consistent vocal level throughout the track.
Listen carefully to the final product as you mix. Adjust the settings as you go until you like what you hear. You can also go for an easy way out. Apply our Dua Lipa Vocal Preset on your mix and hear your sound change in the blink of an eye. The preset uses stock plugins, so you don't have to worry about compatibility issues with your favorite DAW.