Mastering Strokes' Vocal Sound: A Guide To Their Unique Style

The Strokes' vocal sound is a topic of much discussion and intrigue, with many fans wondering how the band achieves their unique, dirty, and distorted sound. The band's vocalist, Julian Casablancas, is known for his distinctive style, which has been described as curiously distorted and compressed. While some speculate that Casablancas' sound is his natural voice, others suggest that various techniques and equipment are used to create this effect.

Use a crappy guitar amp with a microphone attached

To get that distinctive Strokes vocal sound, you can try using a cheap guitar amp with a microphone attached. This technique was apparently used by Julian Casablancas himself when recording the vocals for "Is This It".

Here's what you need to do:

Get a cheap, small guitar amp. Something like a Peavey practice amp, about eight inches tall, will do the trick. You can also try a Marshall amp or a similar solid-state amp. If you're on a tight budget, look for a second-hand amp or a cheap 12" combo. The amp doesn't need to be fancy, but make sure it has an overdrive or distortion setting.

Now, get a microphone. An Audio-Technica 4033A or AT4033 is a good choice, as this is what Julian reportedly used. You'll also need a second microphone to record the sound of the amp. A Neumann TLM103 or a U47 are recommended, but any microphone will do.

Set up the amp and microphone in a room. Crank up all the knobs on the amp to get that dirty, distorted sound. If you want to fine-tune the distortion, play with the gain and EQ settings on the amp. Just be careful not to turn the volume up too high, as this can cause feedback.

Finally, sing or play your vocals into the Audio-Technica microphone, while recording the sound of the amp with the second microphone. You can also try singing directly into the amp's microphone for a more distorted sound. Experiment with different distances and angles between the singer and the microphone to find the sweet spot.

By using this technique, you'll be able to get that distinctive Strokes vocal sound, with a lightly distorted, lo-fi aesthetic. Just remember to blend the distorted vocal track with a clean vocal track in your final mix to maintain clarity.

Use analog distortion with a high-pass filter

To get a vocal sound similar to The Strokes, you can use analog distortion with a high-pass filter. This technique can help you achieve the band's distinctive dirty and distorted vocal effect.

High-pass filters are a type of electronic filter that allows high-frequency signals to pass through while reducing low-frequency signals. They are commonly used in music production to eliminate unwanted low-frequency noise and improve sound quality. The basic principle behind high-pass filters is that they have a cutoff frequency above which signals are allowed to pass through and below which the amplitude of the signals is reduced.

To create the vocal sound of The Strokes, you can combine analog distortion with a high-pass filter. This can be done by using a microphone with an attached guitar amp, with all the knobs turned up, and recording at a non-peaking level. This technique will result in a similar distorted vocal effect as heard in The Strokes' music.

Additionally, you can experiment with different types of microphones, amplifiers, and equalizers to find the right combination that produces the desired vocal sound. For example, you can try using an Audio-Technica 4033A microphone, a solid-state Peavey amp, and a Neumann TLM103 or U47 microphone to capture the sound of the amp.

It's important to note that the specific equipment and settings may vary depending on your setup and preferences. Experimentation and fine-tuning are crucial to achieving the desired vocal sound.

By using analog distortion with a high-pass filter and exploring different equipment and settings, you can create a unique and distinctive vocal sound similar to The Strokes.

Use compression

Compression is an important tool to achieve the vocal sound of The Strokes. It is important to note that compression can be your best friend or your worst enemy. When used correctly, it can make your vocals sound professional, modern, and radio-ready. However, when used incorrectly, it can ruin a good vocal recording and make your music sound amateur and over-processed.

There are two main reasons to use compression on vocals:

• To add even more dynamic control
• To shape and enhance the tone of the vocal

Tonal Compression

Tonal compression is a lighter approach to compression, focusing on shaping the tone of the vocal and adding a small amount of dynamic control to smooth out the levels. This technique is useful when you want to add some musical tone to the performance without crushing the transients, which would push the vocals further back in the mix.

• Attack Time: 15ms (but up to 30ms for more punch)
• Ratio: 1.5:1
• Threshold: -24dB
• Gain Reduction: 2-3dB

It is important to spend time adjusting the attack and release times to find the sweet spot, as this will significantly impact the tone of the vocal. A fast attack (5ms) will make the vocals sound thick and heavy, while a slow attack (30ms) will make them sound punchy and aggressive.

Dynamic Compression

Dynamic compression is used to catch the louder peaks in the vocal performance and reduce their volume. This approach is suitable for heavier genres or when more aggressive processing is needed.

• Attack Time: 5ms (medium-fast)
• Release Time: 20ms (medium)
• Ratio: 2:1
• Threshold: Higher, so that the compressor only engages on the louder peaks
• Gain Reduction: 2-3dB

Combining Tonal and Dynamic Compression

For the best results, it is recommended to use both tonal and dynamic compression in combination. This approach, known as serial compression, provides more musical and natural-sounding compression.

Additionally, it is worth experimenting with the order of the compressors in the plugin chain. Sometimes, using the faster dynamic compressor before the slower tonal compressor can yield better results, as the slower compressor won't be affected by any loud peaks.

Use a bullhorn

To get the distinctive vocal sound of The Strokes, you can use a bullhorn. A bullhorn, or megaphone, is a hand-held device that makes your voice sound louder when you speak into it. It can amplify sound simply through its cone-like shape or with the help of electricity.

To achieve the sound of The Strokes, you can try the following techniques with a bullhorn:

First, find a bullhorn that suits your needs, whether it be one that uses electricity or one that relies solely on its shape to amplify your voice. You can experiment with different types to find the one that gives you the desired sound.

Second, play around with the distance between your mouth and the bullhorn. Try speaking directly into the bullhorn, cupping your hand around it, or standing at different distances to create varying levels of amplification. This will allow you to find the right amount of distortion for your vocal sound.

Additionally, you can try moving closer to or further from the bullhorn while speaking to create a sense of intimacy or distance in your delivery. This technique can add an extra layer of expression to your performance.

Lastly, combine the bullhorn with other equipment to enhance the effect. For example, you can use a guitar amp with a microphone attached, or try running your vocals through bass amp sims and mixing them with a clean signal for added clarity.

By experimenting with these techniques and making adjustments to suit your style, you'll be well on your way to achieving The Strokes' vocal sound using a bullhorn.

Use a POD, Amplitude, Amp Farm, or Boss distortion pedal

To get a vocal sound similar to The Strokes, you can use a guitar amp, a POD, Amplitude, Amp Farm, or a Boss distortion pedal. Each time the band recorded, the setup was a little different, but the core elements remained the same.

One user on Gearspace.com recommends using a POD, Amplitude, Amp Farm, or a Boss distortion pedal, as they are all good options for creating distortion. They also suggest that "distortion is not a tough thing to create, and the grittier the better (especially if you can't sing)".

Another user on the same forum suggests that the POD is better than Amplitude, and while they are not a fan of the V-amp, they are a "die-hard Line 6 user". Another forum user agrees, stating that the POD is "great for clean tones as well".

A third user on Gearspace.com recommends the POD XT Live, which comes with the Podfarm plugin, allowing for easy on-screen editing. This user also notes that the POD sounds good enough to get "release-quality sounds".

A fourth user on the forum suggests that the POD is "definitely better than amplitube", and while they prefer the visual editing of Amplitube, they like the convenience of the plugin that allows them to change the sound post-recording.

A final user on Gearspace.com notes that they have owned all three and prefers the POD for its live use and the Amplitube for recording. They also mention that the Behringer, another amp option, does not have as many features as the POD or Amplitube.

While there are many options available, the POD seems to be the most recommended option for getting a vocal sound similar to The Strokes.

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