3 ways to use screaming vocals w/ Michael Lessard of The Contortionist
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ส.ค. 2024
- Learn how to use low, medium or high register screaming vocals to add energy, dynamics and movement to a song with Michael Lessard of The Contortionist and the raw multi-tracks for "Reimagined."
He shows how subtle layering of screaming vocals in MULTIPLE registers as background "harmony" vocals can add variation to a vocal part that needs emphasis, and how adding a layer of high pitched screams can help it cut through the mix without being overpowering.
This is a clip from Michael's "Vocals: From Concept To Completion" Fast Track, part of URM Enhanced.
Get instant access to 50+ hours of tutorials like this when you join URM Enhanced! ► urm.academy/enh...
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![The Contortionist - Live at Resurrection Fest EG 2018 [Full show]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XS8mmcCVxLQ/mqdefault.jpg)
The nonchalant transition from screaming to instructions is hilarious.
That’s when he releases his chakra
Right??
🤣
It was all this reimagined. It was a different kind of scream.
MK4vDubbin It was repetition
@@DaKatzPajamasShure Sm7b if im not mistaken... just doesn't have the foam thing on it
lmao
@@etheriusmoon1809 It was, what he wanted it to be.
@@HennessyPatrick Was it everything you imagined it would be?
God It's good to see he didn't abandonned screaming, his screams are just superb; so much color in it
wow hearing Michael talk after seeing The Contortionist live like 4 times is really weird
Had the same reaction lol
got to chat with him at the merch booth, super cool dude
lucky bastard :c
Same man
Seen an six times, just now watched this video, this guy can really turn it on for live shows and he's just a normal dude. Fully convinced he's a robot though
To be able to scream like that SITTING DOWN is monstrous, brilliant.
Lol! It looks so weird doesnt it??
Not really what I meant. I am also studying and taking lessons for singing/screaming and being so loud and concise as he is standing down is very very difficult because of breath support. This guy is a beast.
saw them live couple times and lessard is def an absolute insane screamer. some of the screams i literally felt like the floor is going to colapse, thats how much intensity he puts into it. also hes done this hawk screech thingy and ive never heard anything like it before live, it blew me away. i like carpenter too, but to draw a direct comparison between them is kinda senseless, they have complete different approaches. both are beasts at what theyre doing
@@inthoxM Right? Those screeches in the live performances of Language are chilling to the core!
InThoX dude. In Philly a few months ago, there was one scream (the end of Primal Directive I believe) where everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at each other like WHAT THE FUCK.
His voice is unreal, can't wait to hear the new EP!!!
Didn't know about this, can't wait!
please spread the news!!
What ep?
Yes what EP IM HIGHLY INTRIGUED
EP?! When?!
Michael is a rare gem, so glad he is doing what he is doing...
Without a doubt the best diverse vocalist in my book.
Dude yes! I actually was amazed to know he does the singing and screaming!!
I'd agree back in the day but since he's completely abandoned Harsh vocals he's a one trick pony now.
I'd take Tommy Rogers of BTBAM or Spencer Sotelo of Periphery in their range and versatility these days
@@Posirep For sure one of them as far as English speaking bands go. If you want to hear /*the most versatile*/ metal vocalist currently making music, check out Dir en Grey. Kyo is an absolute monster.
@@shikutoaioh my god thank you for repping dir en grey
@@Posirep
Mike's live screams are out of this world, though. Saw him perform some Exoplanet songs a couple years back, blew my fucking mind
When he went back to capitalise the M in mids that was so satisfying.
What I like about this guy is #1 his personality, #2 his vocals, #3 how well spoken he is
What I want to know is how he does that "banshee" scream he does live sometimes. I saw him do it live during the "into the VOID" part in Oscillator and it was one of the most perfect things I've heard for that part because everything leading up to it is building so much tension and it's such a perfect release. It makes me wish it was re-recorded with that scream added there, it makes the breakdown after feel so much more crushing. It's just really fantastic both in context of the instrumentals and lyrically.
Absolutely loved the use of screams in Language: Intuition I during the chorus. Mixed low in the mix but still add an extra omph of power. Sick
His whole demeanor gets so intense when he screams. Otherwise he's so chill. Lol
Completely different personality on a stage
All hail The Contortionist
Michael Lessard is a fuckin' g. And I hardout appreciate that he jumps back at 5:15 to fix the title casing on his track haha.
Mike's neck is bigger than my future
Same :/
Corey Taylor 2.0?
It’s called weight gain
thats the secret behind his screams
*OOOOOOAHHHHH* "alright guys, let's review that." Mike you can't... you just can't scream and then talk. Its freaking me out hahahaha.
I love both of his voices so much! And his approach to music is really unique! Praise Lessard!
I love that this video doesn't just jump cut all over the place. Love the one take kind of feel!
I still think it could have been massively edited. Maybe it's just me but all the parts where he creates new tracks and types the tracknames etc could have been sped up 10x ...
The low scream sounded awesome! The gurglier the better!
loved the sound of the low scream there. i know it seems unconventional but i love unconventional, and i love the juxtaposition. it creates a certain mood that is really beautiful and interesting.
that new record so good
One of the only things I felt was missing from this album was a bit more unclean vocal textures in the background, they were there in Godpeed and Clairvoyant a tiny bit, but I always felt there were other moments where they would have fit in really nicely as well. This was a super interesting watch.
I love his facial expression at 4:45, like "boi, this gon' be good, check this out"
Man now i wanna listen Reimagined with that scream :(
yeah it definitely makes the song better, imo.
yeah dude , i think its better with the high scream
Now you can! th-cam.com/video/dffZO6Pe9yk/w-d-xo.html
Kinda liked the low scream!
I actually liked the low scream more than the mid/high blend
May have been good to layer it with a high
I don't like any of his screams but that's just my personal preference.
i been screaming for 12 years... he makes it look and sound so effortless and yet so brutal
Lessard & the contortionist ... godly
Very educational. Never thought about having layered tracks panned to opposite sides. Makes a lot of sense.
His screams are the most consistent.
Bruh how have I never heard of this band, they're awesome. Rock on
not gonna lie, hearing your scream before its production makes me feel more on point with me. my lows are good, my highs like to fry, and my mids try to go for a yell, but my mids get that real throaty sound that i wanna work out.
Reimagined is the song title!! (Description says differently)
Thanks, will fix!
Love this guy.
Can we get more lessons with Mike? I find this video very useful.
There’s lots more of this lesson in URM Enhanced: urm.academy/enhanced !
I find it interesting that he puts this up here, I mean the guy can scream, but like it's barely used in the new contortionist music. I really miss the exoplanet feel, that was such a brilliant record
It's prog metal. Do you really expect a prog band to continue sounding the same? That wouldn't really be "progressive", would it?
Shameless plug, but if you miss Exoplanet era, check us out:) th-cam.com/video/abmq92I_o28/w-d-xo.html
Really miss the feel of an album that he wasn't even in lol Not to mention the fact that exoplanet was 9 years ago at this point. You really expect a progressive band to write the same thing over an over again? This isn't deathcore lol Of course they are going to mature and find other sounds they like
For myself, Language was my favorite album. Michael Lessard's vocals and screams are incredible; and this album was super well composed, the song structure was very peculiar and not repetitive at all
TheRickyp83 Thats not what Progressive means. Progressive music doesn’t mean changing up your style or music
ive never laughed so hard at the way he screamed BOTH times, just the body language killed me
This is just goddamned fantastic! Lessard is a fuggin' badass. Let's see more of this please.
Michael lessard voices is amazing i want a reimaged version with screammings !!!
Indiana represent!
Michael literally Contorts when he screams.. Michael from The Contortionist.. fitting band name..
So cool of the band to do this! Awesome video
I love this!!! Your ear popping out of your headphone is giving me anxiety 🤣
Scott Rothe I can’t stop getting tilted by that now!
@@kgrayson655 I'm sorry brother 🤣
Cuz he needs to hear the room ambience
Let’s take a listen to that
He reminds me of myself for some reason. I’ll have to see them live one day
I just came here to say these comments are gold.
Amazing scream voice!
This dude is so fuckin cool
What happens when screaming is the only tool in your tool kit 😳 Michael is such a talented singer.
Brutal efficiency!! Thanks!!
Now, I'm curious about these cleans vocals and their different layers.
What an awesome dude!!!
Awesome vid man. Thanks
I seriously hope this is a hint at some sort of clairvoyant rediscovered mike...
This is so sick
wish it had screams in it honestly. sounds better
Great vid! You got a new fan right here my man! I just found out about The Contortionist after seeing you guys opening for Coheed and Cambria in st. Pete. Holy shit i was blown away! I love your band!
Damn he's so good at everything! Jeebus.
This is amazing ! thanx
The master of screaming please bring it back to the contortionist!!!
Thanks ! Good video ! :)
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Nothing happens by coincidence.
Well I fucking loved Clairvoyant and I specially loved Mike's performance on that album. But Reimagined with harsh vocals could have totally kicked some ass!
Language is da fkn best!!!!!
His screams are amazing
King!
Am I the only one who for some reason thinks that Michael looks like he belongs in UFC?
Rexploanet?
AHmusic Omg so much yes!
I miss Mike’s screams, man
The new album is it's own separate thing but I feel ya
@@metalheadblues The new EP has yelly vocals but I don't remember if there were screams or not from what I heard at the VIP session in December.
@@ryansadauskis no screams or or harsh vocals but it's fucking amazing as is.
@@ryansadauskis Follow definitely has at least one part with screaming
Love u bud.
oh, just realized that i saw them play live xD
The goat
I’m leaving a comment just for the sake of leaving a comment
Unintentional ASMR worthy.
Love The Contortionist!
You may have answered this before but what kind of mic is that?
If I'm not mistaken it's a Shure sm7b, it's pretty standard for diverse vocalists to use in studio & totally worth it if you've got the extra change.
Do u use compression the way in and also i think the low scream would fit better because the chordchange is more dramtice and low to mid low would underline that even more
Duuude 🌋🤯🤘
Apologies if it is mentioned already (I searched the comments). Anyone know what model of microphone Mike is using?
I believe it's an SM7B but with the foam taken from the top of it.
NIIICEEE
That MacBook has so many ports.
I JUST WAIT FUCKIN LEVEL 4 !!!111!1
Ay, my name's Mike and you don't need no screaming on yo albums, fuhgedaboutit.
The Contortionist with Mike > The Contortionist without Mike
Wait...is this legit how people record these days? Like no vocal booth, or isolation? Or is this just for demonstration?
WHEEEREEE'S MY MAAAATCHAAAA!!!! ☕☕☕
Rtz after losing ti8
Guys, please, please bring back the screams and heaviness.
🖤
I love a good funnel made by ClickFunnels. Kinda funny how I'm wearing a CF shirt as I type this. XD
imagine being able to scream with ease, while sitting
It's not too bad once you get the hang of it. False chord screaming is a nice simple release.
That scream sounded soooo much like Revo daddy, David Davidson.
I appreciate a Revocation comment under a Contortionist video
This dude talks!
What mixing program is that?
Logic Pro X
This guy looks like he’s being possessed during live performances. Guess he sold his soul to the devil to be so goddam good live
Am I the only one curious how it would sound held out a lol longer?
i wouldve stuck with the lows
XxMATTxXist Blindside hell yes
Missing that Last Chance To Reason stuff :(
Michael "for the sake of" Lessard
Tc 🖤