Best Tips Before Recording Vocals

Here is a small list of things to make sure you have before recording vocals, particularly for music. The list is organized from things easiest to hardest to fix in post-production, through mixing, mastering, or just general edits. Whether you’re an artist or a producer, it’s always a good idea to make sure you have these ideas in check before starting a recording session.

Volume

The first thing to check before you start recording vocals is also the easiest thing to fix in post-production, but will save you some trouble if you sort it out before you even start recording. Ensuring that the volume levels are satisfactory can help out with the rest of the session, and will save you some time in post-production.

Pitch

The next thing to check is pitch. Singers and vocalists range on their pitch abilities, but warming up the voice and to try and hit the proper notes is an important step. Certain notes and pitches can be fixed in post-production using auto-tune, however, a great performance that has some off notes doesn’t compare to an empty one with perfect pitch.

Sonics

Sonics is really the one thing that is mostly fixed in post production, however there are some aspects that can be fixed or adjusted during a recording session. For example, the vocalist standing too close to the mic can make the sound too “boomy”, or other noises interferences can make the sound seem unnatural and distorted. For the most part however, things such as “boomy-ness”, resonance, and distortion can be fixed in post-production.

Tone and Intensity

The tone, intensity, and sound of a vocalist's voice can only be fixed in post-production to a certain extent. A vocalist’s voice is the spirit of the recording, and the tone of the voice makes up a large part of the performance. Make sure that you have the right voice tones and intensity down before starting a recording session, it will save you a lot of trouble in post-production.

Groove and Rhythm

Groove and rhythm is another aspect of recording that is difficult to fix in post-production. A vocalist should be able to get into the mood of the song, and reflect that mood back into their voice.

Pronunciation and Diction

If you want listeners to be able to really understand and recognize the words you are singing or speaking, then your pronunciation of those words are really important. Diction in general is not something you can generally fix in post-production, so be sure to take the necessary steps to hone in on your enunciation of your lyrics or script.

Emotions

The hardest thing to get right during a recording session, but also one of the most important, is the emotions. The attitude or vibe or your song is something that can really only be sorted out during production, and it makes up for a lot. Successful musicians can use emotions to really enhance the feeling and quality of a song, so make sure you have the emotions down during a session.

Conclusion

Overall, make sure to always check back during a recording session to make sure you like the initial demo, and ensure that all the mistakes are things that can be fixed during post-production. Remember to give recording sessions your all, so you can be extremely satisfied with the end result after editing, mixing, and mastering.

If you need any help recording or creating a song of your own, contact us here. We look forward to adding massive value to your music.

So did any of these tips help? Let us know!

- By Julianna Martinek

Best Handheld Microphones for Interviews

If you’re looking for the right microphone to help you record interviews, here’s a great list! These handheld mics are effective for recording interviews both indoors and outdoors. They’re also all dynamic mics, meaning you can just plug them in and go, no charging or batteries required.

Audio-Technica AT8004L

This mic has a long handle, and is designed specifically for on locations interviews and sports broadcasting. It features an omnidirectional pickup pattern, and the length is great for interviewing multiple people and adding a mic flag.

Rode Reporter

The Rode Reporter is great for handheld interviews and presentations. It features an omnidirectional pickup pattern, and a frequency response made for voice reproduction, meaning you will get a clear sound in any condition. It also features a mesh basket that protects the mic from outside and environmental sounds.

Sennheiser MD 46

This mic is great for focusing on one person speaking at a time, as it is a cardioid mic that diminishes background noise. It also features a double layer grill to diminish plosive noises.

Shure VP64A

The Shure VP64A features a neodymium magnet for an increased signal to noise ratio. It also contains an internal isolation mount for handling low noises. It has a grill that is great for preventing water damage and is great for all weather conditions.

Electro-Voice RE50/B

This is another mic that features an omnidirectional pickup pattern. It also is great for diminishing unwanted background noises. There is also no need for batteries as it is a self generating mic!

Beyerdynamic M58

The Beyerdynamic M58 is another great mic with an omnidirectional pickup pattern. It has a long handle which is great for recording in person interviews. It is also great for reducing background noises so you get the clearest sound possible.

Conclusion

All of these mics are great for recording interviews in any condition. They are also great choices for any price range!

If you need any further help choosing the mic that is best for you, or want to start your own podcast, you can contact us here.

So which mic is your favourite? Do you prefer other kinds of interview mics? Let us know!

- By Julianna Martinek

Best Tips for Musicians on Instagram

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms today. It’s also a great way to promote your music and reach a wider audience. If you’re unsure of what to do with an Instagram account or want to reach more people, here are some great tips!

Keep Professional and Personal Accounts Separate

If you’re a newer artist and want to start branding yourself, it’s a good idea to create a separate Instagram account specifically for your music or your brand, whether you’re a solo artist or in a band. This way, your professional events and ideas don’t get mixed up with your personal life, and this can help fans distinguish between the two. 

Keep your account name simple and relevant to your professional name or your band’s name so that you are easy to find. Adding your general location to your account name can also be helpful if you want your local audience to find you.

Here are a few examples from our own social media accounts:

@officialjony @jonystudios

Keep your Account Synced with Your Other Social Accounts

Make sure that all your social media accounts are synced up to Instagram. This means that when you post something to Instagram, it can also be posted to other social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. This way all of your social media will be on the same page, and you can gain more traction on multiple platforms.

Post Relevant Photos, Videos, and Stories

Keep your posts simple and relevant to your brand and music. Let your followers know about gigs, special events, and merchandise. 

Keep a consistent schedule of when you update your account, it’s wise to update often, but not too often where it gets annoying. 

Posting later in the day is also helpful, as posts seem to get more engagement from noon to evening.

Engage your Community

Set up things like Q&A’s, polls, and questions. Reply to comments and follow back your biggest fans. Keeping engaged with your community will bring excitement to your Instagram activity and grow your following.

Conclusion

There are many ways to grow your following on Instagram, and these tips are a great first step. There are also many other things you could do, such as tagging your locations, and paying for an insight to your followers.

It’s also important to remember that your followers follow you for a reason, and you need to keep it up to grow your platform even more!

If you need any help creating your music or growing your following, contact us here. We would love to add massive value to your brand.

So did any of these tips work for you? Let us know!

- By Julianna Martinek