How to mix raw vocals like Charlie Puth on Jimmy Fallon

TL;DR

Charlie Puth demonstrates how to layer and process a spontaneous vocal take with drums and harmonies during a Tonight Show segment, turning Jimmy Fallon into a collaborative producer. He explains using a simple rhythm, pitch shifting, and live vocal manipulation to create a complete song on the spot.

Transcript

-Charlie Puth. You're a talented, talented man. Thank you for doing 100%. -Absolutely. -Appreciate it, bro. -I actually had my hair like that in 2018. -Did you really? -Really embarrassing. -Oh, my God. Perfect. -Yeah. -I will look up the photos later. I want to say congrats on "Changes," by the way. I love the song. It's so good. -Thank you. -Just... Read More

Key Insights

• Charlie Puth uses a hands-on, step by step approach to creating music in real time during the segment, showing how to build drums from vocal cues and light percussion.
• The conversation reveals how personal experiences, including family and pregnancy, influence the themes and timing of the album and its promotion.
• The discussion about the CP-70 keyboard demonstrates a preference for retro sounds that shape the sonic character of the Changes era.
• Professor Puth is framed as a tool to empower non musicians to make music, emphasizing that anyone can use their voice as an instrument.
• The hosts and guests emphasize the artistry behind decisions like album titles, and how these choices reflect a shift toward authenticity over radio friendly perfection.
• The performance segment blends technical analysis with spontaneous creativity, illustrating how musicians can experiment with harmony and vocal processing live.
• The collaboration illustrates a broader message about accessibility in music making, encouraging viewers to try and create without needing perfect skills or gear.
• The overall vibe combines nostalgia for late 80s to early 90s keyboards with modern production techniques to create a hybrid, contemporary sound.
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Questions & Answers

Q: A real search query question about the video (e.g. 'How to...', 'What is...', 'Why does...', 'When should...'). Question 1

What is Professor Puth and how does it encourage people to make music at home? Professor Puth is a series that invites people to realize they have a musical voice even if they lack formal training. It promotes using simple tools, your own vocal potential, and creative experimentation to produce a song from everyday sounds and ideas, emphasizing inclusivity and empowerment.

Q: How does Charlie Puth describe the influence of personal experiences on his album Whatever's Clever?

Charlie Puth explains that the album title is a cathartic statement about embracing authenticity rather than chasing radio friendly perfection. He discusses how his family and life events shaped the themes and sounds, making the music more real and emotionally connected. This approach marks a shift from planning for others to making music for himself.

Q: What equipment and sounds does Charlie highlight as shaping Changes?

Charlie highlights a CP-70 keyboard and its hybrid acoustic-electric sound as central to the album’s vibe. He mentions the 1989 era influence and describes using a specific vintage keyboard for its distinctive tone. This choice reflects a deliberate nod to retro textures that blend with modern production to create a unique sonic character.

Q: How does the Tonight Show segment demonstrate making music on the fly?

During the segment, Charlie guides a live vocal through a drum and harmony construction, showing how to turn a raw take into a finished arrangement. He demonstrates adding a hi-hat cue from spoken syllables, pitching down words for impact, and layering harmonies to build a complete track in real time.

Q: What is the role of the mug and spoon moment referenced in the segment?

The mug and spoon moment is part of a recurring Professor Puth lesson where Charlie creates music from unconventional objects, illustrating that rhythm and musical ideas can come from simple, everyday items. It showcases the playful, experimental side of making music and invites viewers to try similar improvisations.

Q: When does the album Whatever's Clever release, and what is its thematic focus?

The album is described as releasing on a future date referenced in the interview, with the title reflecting a commitment to authenticity and real emotion rather than manufactured cleverness. The project emphasizes personal storytelling, family, and a more vulnerable, instrumented approach to songwriting.

Q: What does Charlie say about the audience’s ability to create music themselves?

Charlie emphasizes that everyone has a voice that can be an instrument, even if they do not play an instrument. He advocates for accessible, iterative creation, encouraging people to experiment with sounds, melodies, and simple production techniques to craft their own songs and share them with others.

Q: How does the live session illustrate the collaboration between host and guest?

The host and Charlie collaborate in a back and forth style where Charlie teaches, analyzes, and demonstrates, while the host prompts and records the process. This dynamic fosters a teachable moment about making music with limited gear, turning a TV segment into a practical, creative workshop.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Charlie Puth discusses announcing his pregnancy in the Changes music video and the album Whatever's Clever, highlighting personal moments that inspired the project.

• He describes a nerdy, craft-focused approach to music, sharing the specific equipment and vintage sounds that influenced Changes.

• The segment features Professor Puth, a TikTok series encouraging everyday people to make music, and ends with a live, improvised production lesson using a mug and a spoon as a starting point.