Archspire’s Explosive Vocal Trick: Layering Gunshots with Dave Otero

Ever heard an Archspire track and wondered how they achieve that insane, machine-gun vocal delivery that feels like it’s physically hitting you? While Oli Peters’ ridiculous talent is primary, producer Dave Otero (Flatline Audio) let us in on a killer sound design technique used to elevate the intro of their track “Calamus Will Animate.” This isn’t just about standard vocal layering; we’re talking about bringing in some serious firepower – literally.

If you’re looking to inject unique energy into your metal productions, this breakdown of Dave Otero’s work on the Archspire NTM session is for you. Forget subtle cinematic risers for a moment; this is about raw, impactful augmentation.

The Foundation: Archspire’s Vocal Intensity

The intro to “Calamus Will Animate” is a prime example of Archspire’s signature style: incredibly fast, precise, and layered vocals. Dave Otero explained that they started with a pre-written instrumental pattern, and then Oli tracked a significant chunk of vocals over it.

Even with multiple layers building energy, the raw vocals, while undeniably cool, weren’t quite hitting with the cataclysmic force the part demanded. They needed something more to truly make the intro explode.

The Secret Weapon: Custom-Recorded Gunshots

This is where things get really interesting. Instead of reaching for typical sound effects, Dave and the Archspire crew decided to think way outside the box. The solution? Gunshots.

A Day at the Range: Crafting Unique Samples

This wasn’t about grabbing a generic gunshot sample pack. Dave, along with the band, took a day off during the sessions, headed up into the Colorado mountains, and recorded their own. They spent a couple of hours firing various firearms, capturing a wealth of raw audio. This hands-on approach didn’t just yield unique sounds; it also served as a memorable bonding experience for everyone involved – a cool side benefit to creative sound design.

Sifting Through the Fire: Editing for Impact

Back at Flatline Audio, Dave meticulously sifted through the hours of recordings. The goal was to find clean, impactful shots without background chatter or overlapping gunfire that would muddy the decays. He isolated distinct sounds from different guns and rounds, giving him a varied palette to work with. This process is crucial: clean, well-edited samples are far easier to integrate into a dense mix.

Programming the Barrage: Layering with Precision

With a collection of high-quality, custom gunshot samples, Dave then set about creating a rhythmic pattern. He didn’t just randomly place the gunshots; he carefully arranged them to follow and reinforce the intricate rhythm of Oli’s vocal lines. Think of it like programming a MIDI drum part, but with .45 caliber kicks and 9mm snares.

By layering these carefully selected and arranged gunshots with the vocals, the intro transformed. The gunshots added a percussive, aggressive punch that locked in perfectly with the vocals, dramatically amplifying the energy and delivering that signature Archspire impact.

How You Can Create Similar Vocal Augmentation

Inspired by Dave Otero’s approach with Archspire? Here’s how you can incorporate similar sound design techniques into your own productions:

1. Source Your Sounds (The More Unique, The Better!)

• Custom Recording: Like Dave and Archspire, consider recording your own sounds. This could be anything percussive: hitting metal objects, power tools, breaking glass (safely, of course!), or anything else that has a sharp transient and interesting character. The more unique your source, the more distinctive your effect will be. A simple portable recorder can be your best friend here.
• Sample Libraries: If custom recording isn’t feasible, high-quality sample libraries are a good alternative. Look for libraries with a variety of percussive hits, impacts, or even industrial sounds. The key is to find sounds that can be shaped to fit your track.

2. Edit and Prepare Your Samples

• Clean Up: Remove any unwanted noise, background hum, or awkward silences from your samples. Use fades to avoid clicks and pops.
• Isolate Transients: You want the sharp attack of your chosen sounds. Trim the beginnings tightly.
• Categorize & Organize: If you have multiple sounds, name them clearly and organize them in your DAW’s sample browser or a dedicated folder. This speeds up the creative process later.

3. Arrange and Layer with the Vocals

• Rhythmic Sync: The magic often happens when your sound effects lock in with the rhythm of the vocal performance. Try aligning your samples with specific words, syllables, or rhythmic phrases.
• MIDI Programming: You can load your samples into a sampler (like Kontakt, Battery, or your DAW’s built-in sampler) and program a MIDI pattern. This gives you precise control over timing and velocity.
• Manual Placement: Alternatively, you can place audio clips directly onto tracks in your DAW, aligning them by hand. This can be more organic for certain effects.
• Variety is Key: Don’t just use one sample repeatedly. Cycle through different sounds (like Dave did with various gunshots) to keep the effect interesting and less machine-like, unless that’s the specific vibe you’re after.

4. Mix the Effect into Your Track

• Balance: Start by getting a good volume balance between your original vocals and the added sound effects. The effects should enhance, not overpower.
• EQ: This is crucial. You’ll likely need to use EQ to carve out space for both the vocals and the effects so they don’t fight each other. For example, you might high-pass the effects to remove unnecessary low-end rumble or cut specific frequencies in the vocals where the effects have a lot of energy.
• Compression: Compression can help control the dynamics of your sound effects, making them punchier and more consistent. Try a fast attack to let the transient through, followed by a quick release.
• Reverb & Delay: Adding a touch of reverb or delay can help your sound effects sit better in the mix and feel like they belong in the same space as the vocals and other instruments. Experiment with short ambiences or longer, more noticeable delays depending on the desired effect.

Beyond the Sound: The Impact of Creative Choices

Dave Otero’s approach to the Archspire intro highlights a few key takeaways:

• Unique Energy: Custom sound design can add an unparalleled level of energy and uniqueness that stock sounds often can’t match.
• Conversation Starter: Creative, memorable moments like this get people talking about the music and the production, which is always a plus for the band.
• The Fun Factor: Stepping outside the typical studio routine to record something unique can be a blast and a great bonding experience, as it was for Archspire.

This kind of creative sound design is a testament to thinking outside the box to serve the song. It’s about more than just technical skill; it’s about artistic vision.

Want to dive deeper into how pros like Dave Otero craft groundbreaking metal mixes? At Nail The Mix, you get to watch world-class producers mix actual songs from bands like Archspire, Gojira, and Periphery from scratch. You get the raw multitracks and see every plugin, every fader move, and every creative decision explained. It’s an unparalleled way to unlock your sound and elevate your mixing game beyond presets.

Check out the full Archspire “Calamus Will Animate” mixing session with Dave Otero to see more techniques like this in action!