A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts and Music

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A Guide to Recording
Great Vocals for Podcasts
and Music [FEATURED]
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great-vocals-for-podcasts-and-music/

Introduction
Nowadays, anyone can create high quality audio
recordings and execute complex audio production
from the comfort of their own home. With some
guidance and a little creativity on your part, you’ll
be making quality recordings you can be proud of.
Recording voices presents some unique challenges that you won’t find with
recording instruments. This guide will focus on recording voices, a critical
part of producing music and Internet radio or podcasts.

Quality vocals start with the singer or speaker, and the microphone.
And then trust your ears. This is the best rule you can use in
recording. It takes time to develop that sensitivity, and the more you
practice, the more you’ll hear.
The second rule of recording: Have FUN! Recording music and voices
is a fun process, so do everything you can to lighten the mood without
compromising the recording.

It All Starts With The Microphone
The quality of the microphone you choose has a direct impact on your
recording. Two most common types of microphones:
Dynamic microphones are most commonly
used in live situations and lack the frequency
response of other kinds of microphones.
Condenser microphones are the entry point for
more detailed and rich sounding microphones
for most producers.

Getting into Position
After choosing the right microphone, your next
step is positioning it properly. It's good to install
a good shock mount that will provide a buffer
between the stand and the microphone.

Peter Piper and Pop Filters
When you adjust the level of your microphone, whether you record to
computer or some kind of tape, you adjust it to one level. To get the best
recording, you want the hottest signal you can get.
When we speak or sing, some sounds are more pronounced than others.
Not every syllable comes through at the same volume, and most likely its
air pressure and unwanted noises. There is a very simple solution to this
issue. Pop filters and windscreens will block that wind that would otherwise
reach the diaphragm without stopping the sound of your plosive syllable.

Exploring the Studio Space
A good microphone is sensitive to every sound in
the room. When you’re recording, you spend a
great deal of time listening to the quality of sounds.
Sometimes, the results can be frustrating.
Find a way to isolate the voice or instrument you
are recording. A great way to do this is with baffles.
And then play around with different arrangements until you find one that
really works for you.

Show Time
Now it’s time to capture some of that magic on tape. There are many
options for recording these days. More and more of them are computer
based.
To maximize your time, always practice. Make
sure that the speaker is physically and
emotionally comfortable. And then take some
break.

Comp and Circumstance
One of the amazing features that DAWs afford a
producer is the ability to compile one track from
several others. Try to wait at least a few hours, and
possibly a whole day after tracking. Waiting gives
you a bit of clinical distance that will help you think
about what really sounds the best.

After the Storm: Post Production
Just because you have a golden performance committed to tape doesn’t
mean you’re done. The quest for high quality vocals continues. There are
still steps that you can take to improve the sound of your vocals.

First, let’s look at equalization, or EQ. By EQing your vocal track, you can
choose which frequencies to enhance, de-emphasize or eliminate
altogether.
The next step is to boost some of the high frequencies. EQ is a very
powerful tool, so to retain your transparent touch, try not to use too
much. Listen for your ears will tell you when it sounds right.

The last step is to notch out some of the frequencies in the middle. This
frequency is different for every voice, so you’ll have to do some
investigating to find it. Start by creating a sharp boost in a very specific
frequency range.
A final word on EQ: Before you add, try subtracting. Adding EQ can
dramatically improve sounds, but it can also lead to a sort of arms race
between the different sounds in your piece.

Sally the Snake’s Suspicious Sibilance
S’s have a way of being more pronounced than other syllables, a
phenomenon known as sibilance. These syllables can be just as
bothersome as the dreaded plosives, but in a different way.
Many DAWs come with a plugin called a de-esser. They require you to help
the computer recognize the frequency of the S’s. Then, every time an S
occurs, the plugin will reduce the strength of that one syllable.

Creating Space with Effects
Once you’ve fine-tuned the sound of the voice, you
can do even more to a vocal track. Applying reverb
to a track will make it sound like the voice or
instrument is in a physical environment, with all its attendant echoes and
character. Set up a very short reverb or until you are satisfied with the
results. Make sure to reference this decision against the overall piece and
make adjustments accordingly.

Sonic Wizardry
If you want to investigate the frontiers of audio production, there are many
techniques and effects that you can learn that will enhance your
recordings even more. Preamps are a great way to impart an analog
warmth to your recordings that you would be hard pressed to get from
effects and signal processing. Another tool that has gained
popularity in recent years is a group of plugins
called Auto-Tune. It turns a human voice into an
instrument resembling a synthesizer.

A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts and Music

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A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts and Music