Ahhhh...the art of layering. Some find the whole idea too much to think about, others are willing to dive in head first. Every day, more and more people are getting into layering. Why is this so? What is layering about? How does it work? Well my little ones, we shall tackle this and more. Read on...

Contents

• What is layering?
• How layering works
• What do I need to make layered tracks?
• Making layered tracks

What is layering?

Layering is the process of building up multiple tracks of audio, one on top of the other, using effects if desired, to create a beat/tune/song that is bigger and more complex than the individual can do alone with one mouth and one mic. Don't get me wrong, raw beatbox is awesome and impressive. But layering has its place too. It is my personal belief that more people will be able to sell albums that are 100% beatbox if the tracks are layers. Taking raw beatbox, and making it into full songs/tracks that the average Joe will be able to appreciate, will always have more pulling power than an hour of straight beatboxing alone. I'll move on before the purists have me hung.

Layered tracks have the potential to sound absolutely fantastic. I've heard layered techno tunes that sounded like "real" tracks made with synths etc. all done in the kind of software you'll find linked in this article. Some serious audio mangling! But it still came from the mouth. The greatest thing is knowing when not to put things into the mix. Be it effects, or a certain hi-hat pattern, or something that just doesn't sound right. The picture below is of a layered track I made called "Everyone Try". In some parts of the track there are 10 seperate parts happening at the same time. You can listen to the track in full if you care to see how it sounds.

There is another good reason to layer, even if it's just for yourself to listen to. Layering at home is a good way to construct rhythms and patterns that you can then practice to do out and about, or on the stage. Some may find this an excellent memory aid. You know when you're sitting at home making funny sounds, and suddenly you realize you just did a great riff. But, oh no, sadly it has vanished from your memory. No worries, you recorded it right? Good. Always make sure you're recording!!! Because now you can chop out the bit which was good. Loop it. And work on that wicked bassline that's floating through your head at this second. Sweet as. Time to throw in a slinky shaker pattern. With a touch of chorus for good measure. Also, it's going to be sounding like it's in the taj mahal. Coz my reverb unit is a'churning.

The sky truly is the limit. Let your imagination take you with it!

How layering works

Remember:

• Layering is not about lots of sounds filling space. It's about each sound having its own space.
• Simple is the golden rule. Once you layer multiple simple tracks, the whole thing can sound as complex as you want.

So, the idea is to record some beatbox. You then listen back to what you recorded whilst you record your next track. This allows you to follow what you have done already to keep the timing straight. You keep doing this for as many layers as you feel necessary for the particular track you're doing. As you progress, you can mould the layers into whatever song structure you feel. Layering gives you the power to take your beatboxing, not only to the next level, but into a whole new dimension. There are no hard and fast rules about layering. But there are techniques which can make your recordings more professional, and your songs more structured and fully formed.