"Radio Disney" vocals

[VomitHatSteve]

So I spent the last week at a Bible camp where the staff were apparently only allowed to listen to Christian music and Disney music. (Also my <7 niblings were there, and that's the sort of music they listen to)

As a grown-a** man, I found this pretty excruciating. But as home producer, I found it kind of fascinating. All of the vocals in these songs (especially the guys) have a very distinct sound.

Examples:
High school musical - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Q30yFZz4J8
high school musical 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrbUfYSt0E
The Lion King - https://youtu.be/aF4CWCXirZ8?t=33 (especially compare the "comedy" characters to the leads (1:33))
Frozen - https://youtu.be/TtCXUFImZYE?t=31
(It's most pronounced in HSM tho)

So what's the technique to get this effect? I doubt I'll ever use it, but it could be interesting to try.

My best guess?
Arrange/write the song so that it's near the top of the guy's register but does not go into falsetto to get that "pushing" but not "straining" effect.
As much as possible, precise pitch on the actual singing.
Even more so, precise articulation on the singing.
Single (heavily-edited) takes rather than layered multitracks.
Tons of compression.
Enough autotune to lock completely into the pitch but not enough to create many artifacts.

Anything else or other ideas?

 

[Guitargodgt]

A good singer from the start and lots of auto tune. lol

 

[VomitHatSteve]

A good singer from the start and lots of auto tune. lol

'strue. But that's also the recipe for all modern pop. There's something very distinct about disney vocals that other pop is missing.

 

[Massive Master]

Disney vocals are typically much too loud. They don't necessarily sound different than most.

 

[Farview]

Very loud, very controlled and smooth.

 

[VomitHatSteve]

Disney vocals are typically much too loud. They don't necessarily sound different than most.

I was noticing that. They're super loud and up-front.

 

[Farview]

That and a (somewhat) unlimited budget, the best new and vintage equipment and some of the best engineers on the planet. Disney also has a 'rule book' for everything they do, to keep the consistency.

 

[Manslick]

Reminds me of that awesome hit by Alvin and the Chipmunks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whY9MKlvisI

 

[VomitHatSteve]

Reminds me of that awesome hit by Alvin and the Chipmunks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whY9MKlvisI

I preferred their emo phase.

That and a (somewhat) unlimited budget

'struth

Disney also has a 'rule book' for everything they do, to keep the consistency.

See, that's the part I'm interested in. What does the rule book say?!

 

[gregoryg]

I preferred their emo phase.


'struth


See, that's the part I'm interested in. What does the rule book say?!

Professional vocalist. Vocal booth. Single track. Autotune. Lots of compression. High in the mix.