Granular Vocals: Turning Voice Into Rhythm & Groove | Complexity Crew

Granular Vocals: Turning Voice Into Rhythm & Groove | Complexity Crew

This tutorial by Complexity Crew demonstrates how to use granular processing in FL Studio to transform vocals into rhythmic and percussive elements, rather than traditional melodies. 

 The video covers: Automating Vocals with Granularizer 

The creator shows how to automate vocal samples in the playlist using the granularizer, explaining the functions of wave and granular spacing to create unique sounds like wind-ups and anticipatory effects (0:39-1:37). 

This technique can be used for risers, song hooks, or repetitive elements in EDM and house music. Manipulating Waveforms The tutorial demonstrates creating automation clips to control parameters like the attack of the granularizer, allowing for diverse sound manipulation and greater creative possibilities (2:10-2:25). 

It also shows how changing samples and utilizing the time function can alter the sound and target specific "sweet spots" within a vocal sample (3:41-4:10). 

Adding Effects for Sound Design The video illustrates enhancing the granular vocals with various effects, including EQing (4:38-4:46), adding a flanger for a machine-like sound (4:49-4:56), distortion for a harder hit (4:59-5:01), and a pitch shifter to manipulate vowel sounds (5:05-5:24). 

It also explains how different formant settings can make vocals sound more masculine or feminine (5:44-5:52) and how to use a gate for spiral-like effects (6:02-6:13). Integrating into a Track The creator then builds a basic EDM/house track, demonstrating how to make a kick drum (6:24-6:56), create a clap pattern inspired by dancehall style (6:59-7:08), and sidechain the vocals under the kick to ensure the kick dominates the mix (7:12-7:23). Layering and Bassline Creation The tutorial further shows how to layer vocal samples with a clap to create a unified percussive element (7:47-8:01) and how to create a bassline using three oscillators, discussing proper key alignment and waveform choices (8:31-9:27). The video concludes by encouraging viewers to practice harmony and melody creation, and directs them to complexitycrew.com for more content and music (9:30-9:57).