Cubase 10.5 Tutorial - THICC vocals with Cloner

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating thick, rich vocal sounds using the Cloner plugin in Cubase 10.5. We'll explore both traditional methods involving pitch and delay on multiple tracks and a more streamlined approach using Cloner on a single track. This technique will enhance your vocal recordings, making them sound fuller and more polished.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Vocal Track

1. Open Cubase 10.5 and create a new project.
2. Import the Vocal Track:
   • Drag and drop your vocal audio file into the project window.
3. Create Additional Tracks:
   • Duplicate your vocal track two or three times, depending on how thick you want the sound to be.
   • You can do this by selecting the track and pressing Ctrl+D (Windows) or Cmd+D (Mac).

Step 2: Applying Pitch and Delay to Duplicate Tracks

1. Select the First Duplicate Track:
   • Apply a slight pitch shift to create a thicker sound. Use the Pitch Shift plugin:
     • Go to Insert Effects > Pitch Shift.
     • Set the pitch shift to around 10-15 cents.
2. Add Delay:
   • Still on the first duplicate track, add a delay effect to create space.
     • Go to Insert Effects > Delay.
     • Set a short delay time (around 30-50 ms) and adjust feedback to taste.
3. Repeat for Other Duplicates:
   • For the second duplicate, you can apply a different pitch shift (e.g., 20 cents).
   • For the third duplicate, try a longer delay time or a different delay type for variation.

Step 3: Using Cloner for a Streamlined Approach

1. Insert Cloner on the Original Vocal Track:
   • Select the original vocal track and go to Insert Effects.
   • Choose the Cloner plugin.
2. Adjust Cloner Settings:
   • Start with the default settings and tweak the following parameters:
     • Voices: Increase to 3-6 to add depth.
     • Detune: Set a small amount of detune for each voice to create a fuller sound.
     • Delay: Adjust the delay settings to add space between the voices. Start with a value between 20-50 ms.
3. Fine-Tune the Mix:
   • Use the mix knob to balance the original vocal with the cloned voices, ensuring they blend well without overwhelming the main vocal.

Step 4: Final Adjustments and Mixing

1. Listen and Adjust:
   • Play back your track to hear how the vocals sit in the mix.
   • Adjust the volume levels of the original and cloned tracks as needed.
2. Additional Effects:
   • Consider adding reverb or compression to further enhance the vocal sound.
3. Export Your Track:
   • Once satisfied, go to File > Export > Audio Mixdown to save your work.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can create thick, engaging vocal sounds in Cubase 10.5 using both traditional methods and the Cloner plugin. Experiment with different settings to find the sound that best fits your project. For next steps, consider exploring additional vocal effects or layering techniques to further enhance your mixes. Happy producing!