One trick I’ll never ever forget is layering. I’ll start with a simple question: what exactly is layering? It’s just simply copying and pasting the same audio on different tracks. This can be completed by literally copying and pasting, or by rerecording identical audios on different tracks. What exactly is the purpose of this? Layering makes it seems as if there are more tracks playing at the same time, making your music sound more complete, more full, and louder/bigger. Layering with vocals can be used to make the vocals stand out more, and also can be used to create harmonizations within the vocals. 

Here are some examples of the different ways layering can be used with some artists I listen to. 

Example one (instrument layering): “Thank You For The Venom” – My Chemical Romance 

https://open.spotify.com/track/0BpKPyXhWsTaWkgXeOd1Sn?si=db36b6343439476e

My Chemical Romance, like most bands in the rock genre, is famously known for its extreme amounts of guitar layers. In this song, they have one lead guitar playing its chords, and also a minimum of 3 more guitars under that playing different things (this includes harmonizations, variations of chords, or just flat-out palm muting the same chords). This creates more depth to the song and makes it more interesting to listen to. 

Example two (instrument layering 2): “Lonely Day” – System of a Down

https://open.spotify.com/track/1VNWaY3uNfoeWqb5U8x2QX?si=9e2070d89ec34a75

System of a Down is very known for its usage of harmonization and layering. This can be found in the solo of this song especially, and the vocals throughout the chorus and beyond (chorus starts o:38, solo is 1:35-2:00). This makes the chorus sound bigger, badder, and even better. 

Example three (vocal layering): “This Is Home” – Cavetown

https://open.spotify.com/track/7s8VgA8OjvwBUuigKzEGBx?si=655cd64020cf4090\

Cavetown is known for their unique voice and vocal layering. In their song “This Is Home,” they layer their vocals to make the song itself sound bigger and louder. They also layer the ukulele with multiple guitars and pianos. I love the layering of the oohs in the background of the song as well (oohs can be found starting o:44).