Vocally Chopping with OscarUnderdog: Synths from Your Larynx

Kickoff with a Vocal Groove

OscarUnderdog dives straight into the cool waters of vocal percussion, setting the vibe with his unique twist on using vocals as raw material. This isn’t your typical singing lesson – we’re talking using the human voice almost like a funky synthesizer. Oscar positions the technique as a successor to the classic “think about it” vocal chop. This journey isn’t about belting out ballads, but tweaking your voice to become just another instrument in your beat-making arsenal. The goal? Bring a fresh wave of energy into your projects with minimal equipment – literally just a microphone and a mouth.

The Art of the Vowel Chop

Now, here’s where the magic happens. Oscar emphasizes the importance of starting with a clean audio sample featuring clear vowel sounds. As he explains, phrases like “ya,” “yo,” “wa,” or even whimsical vocalizations lay the groundwork. While it might feel silly at first, it’s all about creating something more abstract, transforming those basic sounds into something that can fit snugly within a track. Once you’ve got your raw vocal material, Oscar walks through the editing process, snipping away excess noise with precision cuts using Commands E and J. This is where that voice of yours starts changing from something your mom might recognize into an intriguing, ambient texture. And, man, when he transfers that snippet into a MIDI track? That’s when the whole thing begins to take on a life of its own. This is the kind of streetwise hack that gives an otherwise normal beat that extra oomph.

"we don't even need to sing but the most important thing is that we're going to chop this out of vowel sound"

© Screenshot/Quote: Oscarunderdog (YouTube)

Abstract Inspirations

With the voice sample firmly chopped and MIDI-fied, Oscar moves into detailed processing. He uses tools like ‘Little Alter Boy’ to twist and turn those vocal snippets into something unique. By reducing low frequencies and playing with the formants, the vocals strip away personal identifiers, transforming into pure, synthetic sound. Oscar’s genius shines as he repurposes these edited sounds, expanding their potential within various compositions. This entire process speaks to the endless versatility of the human voice when put through creative effects. The way simple vowel sounds are altered into broad waves of audio intrigue shows how experimental spirit can lead to new soundscapes. That’s the trick right there—embracing creativity and flying headfirst into the abstract sound world.

Reverb - The Secret Sauce

"you almost always want to just reduce it down to only a little bit"

© Screenshot/Quote: Oscarunderdog (YouTube)

Oscar turns up the sauce and adds some spicy flavors with effects like reverb and distortion. He layers reverb generously onto his soundscape, giving it an expansive, airy feel that’s sure to vibe with your inner beatmaker. Distortion further adds that raw edge, pushing the once-recognizable vocals further into the realm of the unknown. By demonstrating the transformative power of effects like OTT and distortion, Oscar proves that even the simplest sounds can be elevated into multi-layered auditory experiences. The key takeaway? Don’t just settle for what’s conventional. Push those sounds as far as they can go and let them breathe. Whether it’s cranking the frequencies up a notch or bathing them in effects, the power of transformation is only limited by your creativity. It’s like taking street food and turning it into a gourmet feast—nothing short of magical!

Wrap-Up & Inspiration

As Oscar wraps up, he encourages viewers to continue the experimentation, overlaying these voice-enhanced samples in new compositions. This section carries the heart of his message: never stop exploring and use your voice as more than just a tool for words. From pitch shifting to re-sampling, possibilities are endless, just like in a perpetual game of mix and match in your local sound café. Oscar’s closing words act as a call to action, urging music creators to dive into their own vocal experimentation journeys. With plenty of friendly reminders to check out his courses, Oscar leaves his audience with just enough inspiration to go beyond the video, to reignite that creative groove every artist seeks. It’s all about riding the sound wave and letting the beat take you somewhere unexpected.