---
title: "Lightbulb Vocals (Figuring Out Formant Shifting)"

description: "In my last convo with Harley, we chatted about mouth shape and using a tool called formant to manipulate audio. Here I share examples of how to use formant on a vocal and other instruments, some of the history of vocal manipulation, and why this technique helps to define the music of the last ten years (and into the future)."

status: complete

date: 2024-05-07

kind: solo

guestSlugs: []

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Lightbulb-Vocals-Figuring-Out-Formant-Shifting-e2j8po5"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lightbulb-vocals-figuring-out-formant-shifting/id1567355195?i=1000654774476&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/1oCSMFFfZOP8QkBG6aaB4g"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Formant"
  - "Singing and vocals"
  - "Music production"
  - "The music business"
  - "Vocal Manipulation"
  - "History of Vocal Techniques"
  - "Voice Placement"
  - "Singing Techniques"
  - "Audio Processing"
  - "Vocal Presence"
  - "Impact of Technology on Voice"
  - "Music Industry Trends"

hostNote: |
  Formant is just mouth shape, the shape of the cavity through which sound travels. That's the whole definition. But shifting those resonance points was a lightbulb moment for me as a vocalist, because it means your voice isn't fixed. You've probably already done it in everyday life without noticing.
  
  I trace formant shifting from the talk box and vocoder to how it defines a huge swath of current music, it's in the production you're hearing everywhere right now, and it's not going anywhere because at its core it's still the human voice. The episode covers vocal placement, what "presence" actually means acoustically, and how to hear where in the body a singer is placing their sound.
  
  You finish with a clearer ear for what you're hearing in modern records, and a framework for experimenting with your own voice beyond what you think your natural register is.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Introduction to Formant"
    startSec: 96
    note: "I introduce the concept of formant, explaining it as the shape of the mouth cavity through which sound travels."
  - label: "Vocal Presence Explained"
    startSec: 188
    note: "Discussion about the importance of vocal presence and how vocal placement can cut through a loud mix."
  - label: "Vocal Techniques and Styles"
    startSec: 272
    note: "I explore different vocal techniques, emphasizing the importance of vocal resonance in various styles."
  - label: "Comparing Vocal Techniques"
    startSec: 405
    note: "I compar singing to basketball shooting forms, discussing individual styles and techniques."
  - label: "Manipulating Vocal Resonance"
    startSec: 900
    note: "I delve into the technical aspects of manipulating vocal resonance through formant techniques."
  - label: "AI and Vocal Transformation"
    startSec: 856
    note: "I discuss the impact of AI on vocal production and transformation in modern music."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "Formant, to me, is just mouth shape—the shape of the cavity through which the sound is going."
    startSec: 85
    reviewed: true
  - text: "You can change the placement of your voice though, and you've probably done this in your normal life..."
    startSec: 195
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Being able to shift the resonance points of your voice was like a light bulb moment for me as a vocalist."
    startSec: 409
    reviewed: true
  - text: "It is vocal manipulation and just like the talk box, just like the vocoder, it is so elemental to who and what we are."
    startSec: 1095
    reviewed: true
  - text: "You're going to hear it everywhere. It's not going anywhere because it is the human voice."
    startSec: 1082
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What is formant shifting in vocals?"
    answer: "Formant shifting is a vocal technique that involves manipulating the shape of the mouth and vocal cavity to alter the sound and tonal quality of the voice."
  - question: "How does vocal manipulation impact modern music?"
    answer: "Vocal manipulation, including techniques like formant shifting, has become integral in defining modern music production, influencing styles and artist identities."
  - question: "Why is vocal placement important in singing?"
    answer: "Vocal placement affects how sound resonates and cuts through mixes, impacting the overall presence and quality of a performance."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---