When it comes to the pristine, polished sound of Chris Brown’s vocals, one name consistently stands out: Teezio. As the go-to mixing engineer for some of Brown’s biggest hits, Teezio has honed his craft to deliver vocals that are both powerful and smooth, perfectly capturing the essence of Brown’s unique voice. With years of experience in the industry, Teezio has developed a distinctive approach to mixing that brings out the best in every track.
A key part of his process involves starting with the right tools. Teezio always records Chris Brown through either a Telefunken ELA M 251 or a Sony C800G microphone—two industry favorites known for their rich, clear sound. This is followed by running the signal through a Neve 1073 preamp, which adds warmth and character, and then slightly compressing the vocals with a Tube-Tech CL1B compressor to ensure consistency and control. These elements lay the foundation for the vocal magic that Teezio creates in the mixing phase, where his real artistry shines.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how Teezio approaches the mixing process, breaking down the techniques and decisions that help shape Chris Brown’s signature sound.
Teezio uses FabFilter Pro-Q as a key tool in his vocal mixing process. He scans through the vocal track to identify any frequencies he doesn’t like, then makes subtle dips to either correct issues or impart a specific character to the vocal. This precise frequency shaping helps ensure Chris Brown’s vocals are both clean and uniquely expressive, fitting perfectly within the mix.
Teezio often uses a Pultec EQ to add brightness to Chris Brown's vocals. He typically boosts around the 10kHz range by 1-3dB, enhancing the clarity and presence of the vocal. This subtle lift helps the vocals cut through the mix while maintaining a natural, airy quality.
Using the 1176 compressor by UAD, Teezio applies 1-5dB of compression to control the peaks of Chris Brown’s vocals. Since the vocals are already lightly compressed with a Tube-Tech CL1B during recording, this step ensures smooth, consistent dynamics without losing the vocal's natural character.
After the initial precise cuts with FabFilter Pro-Q, Teezio turns to Neutron EQ for further vocal shaping. Here, he uses broader Q settings to make more general adjustments, enhancing the overall tone and balance of the vocal in the mix. This approach allows him to refine the vocal's character while ensuring it sits perfectly within the track.
To bring the vocal further forward in the mix, Teezio uses the RVOX compressor. He applies slight compression to add an extra layer of control and presence, making the vocal stand out more distinctly without overpowering the track. This subtle touch helps ensure that Chris Brown’s voice remains the focal point of the mix.
Teezio employs Pro-DS for general de-essing, effectively taming any harsh sibilance in Chris Brown’s vocals. This step ensures that the vocal remains smooth and natural, especially in the higher frequencies, without any distracting sharpness or harshness.
Teezio uses Soothe to dynamically shape Chris Brown’s vocals, focusing on reducing resonant frequencies and smoothing out the overall tone. He adjusts the mix level of Soothe anywhere from 50% to 100%, depending on the specific needs of the vocal, ensuring a balanced and polished sound without compromising the vocal's natural character.
As a final stage of compression, the FabFilter Pro-C is used to smooth out the vocals even further, applying 1-3dB of reduction. This ensures the vocal remains consistently controlled and polished, adding the finishing touch to an already well-balanced mix.
Lastly, Kirchhoff EQ is used to dip any remaining resonant frequencies that may have been emphasized by the compression stages. This final adjustment helps maintain a clean and clear vocal sound, ensuring that no unwanted frequencies interfere with the overall mix.
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