Mix and master pop vocals in your browser
To mix and master pop vocals, put your vocal and your beat side by side in Lyro’s studio, which runs in your browser. Start the vocal on the “Vocal, clean” preset and the beat on “Beat, under a vocal”, balance the two, then master to the Streaming target (-14 LUFS) and export WAV.
Mixing and mastering run on your own device, so they cost no credits, on every plan.
At a glancePop
| Tempo (BPM) | 90 to 130, most often 100 to 125 |
|---|---|
| Keys | major or minor, usually a four-chord loop; C major, G major and A minor are common |
| Feel | straight 4/4 with a strong backbeat (snare or clap on beats two and four) |
| Signature sounds | an upfront lead vocal with stacked chorus harmonies, punchy programmed drums with a strong backbeat, and a four-chord loop on synths, piano or guitar |
| Song form | usually a short intro, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, a second verse and chorus, a bridge and a bigger final chorus, with the first chorus inside the first minute |
| Vocal preset | Vocal, clean |
| Beat preset | Beat, under a vocal |
| Master target | Streaming, -14 LUFS |
How it goesThree steps
- Drop in your vocal and beatLyro reads the tempo, so the waveforms snap to the beat grid and timed effects land on the beat.
- Shape and balanceStart from the suggested presets in the table, then adjust the low cut, EQ, compression, reverb and delay until the pop vocal sits where it should.
- Master to a target and exportPick the loudness target, compare before and after, and export WAV with its loudness and true peak shown.
Tips for this genre
The lead vocal is the centre of a pop song: a single voice in the verses, doubles and stacked harmonies in the chorus, and ad-libs on the last chorus.
- Start from “Vocal, clean”, add a little high end, and keep the chorus doubles a few dB under the lead so the lead stays on top.
- Use delay on the ends of chorus lines rather than a long reverb, so the voice stays bright and forward.
Where the limits are
- This is a mixer you operate, not an automatic mix; the presets are starting points.
- It shifts pitch but does not correct it: apply pitch correction (auto-tune) before you upload, if you want it.
- It has no de-esser and does not load third-party plug-ins.
- Phones have less memory than computers; long projects with many tracks belong on a laptop.
Questions
What loudness should I master pop to?
Start at the Streaming target, -14 LUFS. Streaming services turn louder masters down to about -14 LUFS, so a pop song bound for Spotify or Apple Music loses nothing at that target. The studio shows the measured loudness and true peak when you export.
Does mixing or mastering cost credits?
No. The studio runs in your browser, so nothing is sent to a model while you mix, and it costs no credits on any plan.
Can I mix a beat and a vocal I made somewhere else?
Yes. Upload any vocal and beat, or stems, and mix them in the studio. You need the rights to what you upload.
Can the studio auto-tune my vocal?
No. It shifts pitch by semitones and fits a clip to the project tempo, but it does not correct pitch. If you want that sound, apply it before you upload.
Related
More for this genre: A beat for your vocal, A vocal for your beat
Other genres: Hip-hop, Trap, Drill, R&B, Afrobeats, Reggaeton, Rock, Acoustic folk, Lo-fi