Infotainment Resource

Getting ready to record a vocal track? There are some basic techniques you should try to employ so that you get the cleanest and best quality recording possible. You can add effects and dirty up your vocals later, but starting with a clean track is always best.

Good mic technique is basically made up of two components. Number one, remember that the microphone's diaphragm reacts with great sensitivity to all of the subtle variations in your vocal performance. Number two, learn how to adjust your body position and proximity to the mic depending on the dynamics of your vocal delivery.

For intimate vocals that remain soft from start to finish, you can stay just a few inches from the mic for the duration of the performance. If you're going to belt it out, stand back a couple feet. If your performance uses a mixture of both, then you should start getting good at moving closer and further away from the mic as your delivery requires, even if its just for a couple words or a short phrase.

Ideally, you should keep your mouth just a few inches from the mic as long as you're not overloading the levels. If you do overload the levels, two things can happen to your track. One, you will get digital clipping- which sounds horrible. Two, it's possible that your mic will shut down temporarily depending on how sensitive it is. Both scenarios effectively ruin your recording, but both are also easily avoided by just 'wasting' your vocals a little. by this i mean just pointing mouth to the side or above the mic so you're not singing directly into it during loud bursts.

Getting rid of mouth pops and lip noise is crucial! Depending on the type of mic youre using, there may already be a pop-filter built in. Stage mics generally have the pop-filter built into the ball-shaped mesh grill that also serves to protect the sensitive parts. However, studio mics generally come with a foam sleeve that slips over the mic itself. Many engineers argue that the foam variety kills some of the high end frequencies and prefer the newer, nylon stocking O-ring pop filters. Positioning one of these between the singer and the mic will prevent blasts of breath from overloading the mic.

Avoid recording annoying mouth noise. Its and easily avoidable situation that requires minimal effort to correct, and makes a big difference in the end. Ok, brace yourself, here it is: drink lots of water, or have your singer drinks lots of water. It will go a long way towards eliminating unwanted mouth noise, and a few extra trips to the bathroom is a small price to pay.

If you follow these simple rules, you will start with a nice clean vocal track. From that point you are free to add reverb and whatever crazy effects you can dream up without enhancing the unwanted noise when you're trying to get at the meat. These simple practices will save you hours on Mr. Fix-it time in the end.