Are you a fan of electronic music? If so, you've probably heard of Porter Robinson. Known for his unique sound and captivating melodies, Porter Robinson has become a prominent figure in the electronic music scene. One of the signature elements of his music is the vocal effect he uses. In this blog post, we will explore how you can create the Porter Robinson vocal effect and add a touch of his magic to your own music.
What is the Porter Robinson Vocal Effect?
The Porter Robinson vocal effect is a distinctive sound that gives vocals a personal, yet dreamy and ethereal quality. This effect is often achieved by using a combination of techniques, including pitch shifting, formant shifting, reverb, and delay.
Step 1: Pitch Shifting
To start creating the Porter Robinson vocal effect, you'll need to pitch shift your vocals. I recommend trying to use your own vocals to make this more personal:). This can be done using a pitch shifting plugin (little alterboy or manipulator (which porter himself uses)) or software. Experiment with shifting the formant pitch up or down by a few semitones until you find the desired effect. Keep in mind that the amount of pitch shifting will depend on the specific sound you're going for, and the distinct sound of your own voice.
Step 2: Stack the layers (be patient with yourself)
In this tutorial, (Porter Robinson (OKAY!!!! showing my stems for "Everything Goes On" ) Twitch Stream - YouTube) Porter talks about the importance of approaching making a vocal like a bob ross painting. It gonna sound and look like shit in the beginning, but as you tinker, vocal comp (record a bunch of vocal takes and choose the ones you like the most), and stack harmonies and layers to your taste, it all really comes together. Use left and right layers to make the vocal sound more full, and don't be afraid to add saturation :).
Step 3: Reverb
Next, add reverb to your vocals. Reverb creates a sense of space and adds depth to the sound. Choose a reverb plugin or software that allows you to adjust the decay time and wet/dry mix. Increase the decay time to create a longer reverb tail and adjust the wet/dry mix to find the right balance between the dry vocals and the reverb effect.
Step 4: Delay
The final step in creating the Porter Robinson vocal effect is to add delay. Delay creates echoes and repeats of the vocal, adding a sense of movement and texture. Experiment with different delay settings, such as the delay time, feedback, and filtering, to achieve the desired effect. You can also try using stereo delay to create a wider and more immersive sound. You can record certain reverb tails and resample them to get creative here.
Putting it All Together
Now that you have the individual elements of the Porter Robinson vocal effect, it's time to put them all together. Start by applying the pitch shifting to your vocals, followed by the reverb and delay. Adjust the settings of each effect until you achieve the desired sound. Remember to trust your ears and make adjustments as needed.
It's important to note that while these steps can help you recreate the Porter Robinson vocal effect, it's also essential to add your own creativity and personal touch to make it unique. Experiment with different settings, try layering multiple vocal tracks, and don't be afraid to think outside the box.
By following these steps and experimenting with different techniques, you can create your own version of the Porter Robinson vocal effect. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep refining your skills and exploring new possibilities. Happy producing!
Here is a free Porter Robinson Inspired Vocal Pack that we think you will enjoy using :) including Porter Robinson inspired Vocals :)
Virtual VoiceScapes - Porter Robinson Inspired Vocal Pack – SoVerb Sounds