Master Vocal Harmony using Pitchproof in Logic Pro X

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Creating Vocal Harmonies with Pitch Proof
• Adjusting the Pitch Control
• Choosing the Key
• Exploring Different Harmony Options
• Separating the Harmony from the Lead Vocal
• Fixing the Chipmunk Quality
• Tuning the Harmony Track
• Enhancing the Harmony with EQ
• Creating Multiple Harmonies
• Adding Reverb for Depth and Smoothness
• Automating Harmonies in a Full Song
• Conclusion

Introduction

🎵 Welcome to Music Tech Help Guy! In this Tutorial, I will show you how to create vocal harmonies using a free plugin called Pitch Proof. Whether you're a singer or a producer, harmonizing vocals can add depth and richness to your music. Pitch Proof is a versatile harmonizer and pitch shifter plugin that allows you to create harmonies easily and effortlessly. No need for extensive music theory knowledge or manual editing – let's dive in and start harmonizing!

Creating Vocal Harmonies with Pitch Proof

🎶 Creating vocal harmonies can be a complex task, but with Pitch Proof, it becomes incredibly simple. Let's start by loading up Pitch Proof on our vocal track. Ensure that the plugin is active and get ready to explore its features.

Adjusting the Pitch Control

🎵 The first control in Pitch Proof is the pitch control, which determines the interval of the harmony. You can choose between diatonic intervals like Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh. Additionally, you can select unison or choose Parallel harmonies using semitones above or below the original pitch.

Choosing the Key

🎵 It's essential to know the key of your song to ensure accurate harmonies. Pitch Proof allows you to select the key you're working in, making it easier to create harmonies that fit the musical context. If you're working in a major key, the plugin displays the relative major key to the left.

Exploring Different Harmony Options

🎵 Pitch Proof offers a wide range of harmonic possibilities. You can experiment with different harmonies by adjusting the pitch control and key settings. Try harmonizing a third or a fifth above the original vocal line to add depth and texture. Keep in mind that higher harmonies may introduce a chipmunk-like quality, which we'll address later.

Separating the Harmony from the Lead Vocal

🎵 To have more precise control and balance over the harmony, it's beneficial to separate it from the lead vocal. One way to achieve this is by creating a send from the lead vocal track to an available bus. Duplicate the plugins onto the new aux track, and adjust the Blend to hear only the harmony. This allows you to individually pan and process the harmony track.

Fixing the Chipmunk Quality

🎵 Higher harmonies using Pitch Proof may introduce a chipmunk-like quality due to the lack of formant correction. To minimize this Artifact, we can use Logic's Vocal Transformer plugin. By applying a subtle formant shift downward, you can achieve a more natural and balanced harmony.

Tuning the Harmony Track

🎵 For a seamless blend, it's crucial to ensure that the harmony track is in tune with the lead vocal. You can use Logic's Pitch Correction plugin before or after Pitch Proof to achieve this. Set the plugin to the key of your song and adjust the response time accordingly. Adjusting the formant shift and fine-tuning the harmony track can greatly enhance its tonal quality.

Enhancing the Harmony with EQ

🎵 To further improve the harmony's integration into the mix, apply EQ after Pitch Proof and the Vocal Transformer. Remove unnecessary low and high frequencies to focus on the mid-range, where the harmony blends best with the lead vocal. By band-passing the signal, you can eliminate potential clashes and create a more polished sound.

Creating Multiple Harmonies

🎵 Pitch Proof allows you to create multiple harmonies, giving you endless creative possibilities. By duplicating the process and adjusting settings, you can add third, fifth, seventh, or octave harmonies to enrich your vocal arrangement. Experiment with panning each harmony to create a full and immersive backing vocal section.

Adding Reverb for Depth and Smoothness

🎵 To enhance the space and smoothness of your harmonies, consider sending them to the same reverb as the lead vocal. This not only adds depth but also creates a Cohesive sound between the harmonies and the lead. Adjust the level of the reverb send to achieve the desired effect, making sure not to overpower the main vocals.

Automating Harmonies in a Full Song

🎵 If you're working on a full song, you can take your harmonies to the next level by automating their presence throughout the track. By carefully adjusting the aux track levels at specific points in the song, you can introduce harmonies when they are needed most. This dynamic control adds interest and variation to your vocal arrangement.

Conclusion

🎵 Creating vocal harmonies using Pitch Proof is a powerful tool for adding depth and complexity to your music. With its intuitive controls and seamless integration into Logic Pro X, you can achieve professional-sounding harmonies without the need for extensive editing or manual tuning. Experiment with different harmonies, fine-tune your settings, and let your creativity soar. Get ready to elevate your vocal productions with Pitch Proof!

Highlights

• Create professional vocal harmonies with ease using Pitch Proof
• Adjust the pitch control to explore various diatonic and parallel harmonies
• Harmonize vocals in the same key as your song for a seamless blend
• Separate the harmony from the lead vocal for better control and balance
• Fix the chipmunk-like quality by using formant correction techniques
• Tune the harmony track to ensure accurate pitch alignment with the lead vocal
• Enhance the harmony's integration with EQ to remove unnecessary frequencies
• Extend your vocal arrangement by creating multiple harmonies
• Add reverb to create depth and cohesion among the harmonies
• Automate harmonies throughout the song for dynamic and engaging vocal arrangements

FAQs

Q: Is Pitch Proof compatible with other DAWs? A: Pitch Proof is a VST plugin and is compatible with most popular DAWs, including Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Studio One.

Q: Can I use Pitch Proof on instruments other than vocals? A: Yes, Pitch Proof can be used on any audio source, including instruments, to create harmonies and pitch shifts.

Q: Can I export the harmonized vocals to separate audio tracks? A: Yes, by creating aux tracks and separating the harmony from the lead vocal, you can export each harmony as a separate audio track for further processing or mixing.

Q: Can I use Pitch Proof in real-time during live performances? A: Pitch Proof is primarily designed for studio use; however, some DAWs offer real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing you to use the plugin in live performances with low-latency monitoring.

Q: Are there any alternatives to Pitch Proof for vocal harmonies? A: Yes, there are several other harmonizer plugins available, such as Melodyne, Antares Harmony Engine, and Waves Real-Time Pitch Correction. Each offers unique features and workflows, so it's worth exploring different options to find the one that suits your needs best.

Resources:

• Pitch Proof Plugin
• Logic Pro X
• Melodyne
• Antares Harmony Engine
• Waves Real-Time Pitch Correction