Recording vocals can be a challenging and daunting task. It can be difficult to know how to prepare, if the acoustics in the room are good for the sound, which microphones to use, and then actually having enough confidence to hit record.
It’s normal to be nervous the first couple of times, or even the 50th time you record vocals. However, there are things you can be doing to make this process easier on yourself.
If you’re looking for tips on how to make recording vocals less stressful, keep reading.
Create a Relaxed Environment
Whether you are working from a studio or home, it’s important to set up a relaxed environment for the artist or yourself. This will help the vocalist to be at the top of their game and ready to sing their heart out.
Here are some things you could offer to make the vocalist more comfortable
Water
Clean room and equipment
Studio Equipment set up before their arrival
Comfortable seating
If you’re working with other people, remember to be professional and friendly. If you’re recording your own vocals, Still take the time to prep the room and get some water, it’s important to keep yourself comfortable too!
Be Positive
Throughout the recording session, constantly encourage the vocalist. Tell them that they are doing a great job, and if you have any suggestions or criticism to add, make sure it is in a positive and professional manner.
However, It’s important not to share too much criticism. The singer most likely has their own idea on how they want the song to turn out and as the producer, you are helping fulfill their creative vision, not changing it.
Remember, this is a nerve-wracking thing for a lot of people to do, so a person who chooses to get out there and create music to share with the world are incredibly brave.
Acoustics
Acoustics are a small thing that make a big difference in a track. It's important to pick the right room if you’re recording at home.
The room you chose to record in should have lots of soft furnishings like a living room or a bedroom. It’s best to avoid rooms with lots of windows.
You want the room to be as dead as possible without being too dead. It’s all about finding balance. When there is too much sound being absorbed in a room, it can lead to muffled highs and an overall unnatural sound.
Levels
Levels can be a tricky thing to get right. Ideally, your levels should maximize dynamic range, but still preserve headroom. Headroom leaves a certain amount of volume open to allow the mixing engineer to increase volume later that won’t raise floor noise.
At the beginning of the session, have the vocalist sing a louder portion of the song so you can see how loud they will go and adjust accordingly. From there you can monitor the levels and change them throughout the session if needed.
Check out this video from 5piece for a quick tutorial on levels.
Record Everything
A vocalist may sing their best when they don’t have the pressure of knowing they're being recorded. So try recording while the singer warms up or rehearsing, so if they do their best performance then, you’ll be able to use it.
Don’t use effects
When you’re recording the initial vocal tracks, don’t put any effects on it. You won’t be able to take them off if you end up not liking them. You can always add effects, so stick to recording dry.
Use a Pop Shield
Pop shields are used to help avoid plosives. Plosives are letters like ‘p’ and ‘b’ that create a gust of air when you say them. Pop shields are placed in between the microphone and the vocalist to capture the air before it hits the mic.
Watch this video to learn more about pop shields.
Mics
Knowing how a vocalist sings is crucial to recording their vocals right.
Things you should know about your vocalist’s style
Are they dynamic?
Do they tend to sing quieter?
Do they move around a lot while singing?
Different types of mics are better suited for certain styles of vocals. For example, if you are recording a punk band that has aggressive vocals, a dynamic microphone would work well. Dynamic microphones work well when the vocalist is up close to it so it gives a live performance feel to it.
If you’re unsure what microphone to use, a cardioid dynamic microphone is a go-to for most vocal recording sessions. These mics work well at home or in a room that might not have the best acoustics.
Shure SM57-LC Cardioid Dynamic Microphone
You can learn more about which mic is right for you here.
It’s also important to adjust the microphone height and position. A microphone that is positioned under lip level will produce a brighter sound and one that is positioned above lip level will produce a duller sound. However, a lower microphone will produce more bass because of its proximity to the chest.
Most people position the mic directly at lip level but this can lead to a bland sound. Try placing the microphone at eye level and then pointing the mic downward slightly. This technique boosts the lower midrange as well as the highs from the mouth.
Rotating the microphone can change the tone so try playing around with positioning before you record to find a tone that works well for your vocalist.
Monitoring
The vocalist you’re working with, even if that's yourself, will need to be able to hear the song as they record the vocals. This will help them stay on key and also make for a better recording overall.
for the singer to hear the vocals the best, provide them with a good pair of closed-back headphones that don't allow any sound to seep through.
Comps
It’s also a good idea to do multiple takes and run through the complete song multiple times. This will allow you to combine the best parts of different takes together.
Check out this video to learn more about vocal comping is Logic Pro X.
Make it Effortless
If you prepare well enough, the actual recording process should be fairly effortless. Once you have everything set up and ready to go, you’ll be able to focus on getting the best vocals.
Things to listen for:
Is the vocalist clearly articulating the words?
Is there emotion conveyed through the singing
Is the vocalist singing in tune
You’ll be able to focus on getting a clear sound if you get the equipment prepared properly first.
Written By: Leah Gerber
Conclusion
If you’re having a hard time recording vocals or you’ve never done it before, try some of these tips, they might come in handy.
Once you prepare, recording vocals isn’t that challenging. Just remember to stay positive and focus on getting a high-quality sound.
Any tips we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
