This document provides tips for rappers and singers on using microphones effectively. It recommends choosing the right microphone type for the situation, such as using dynamic microphones for live performances and condenser microphones for studio recordings. It also discusses maintaining the proper distance from the microphone to reduce proximity effect and plosives, isolating the vocalist from background noise, using pop filters, and monitoring sound with closed-back headphones. The tips are meant to help rappers and singers capture high quality vocal recordings.

1. Great Microphone Tips
For Rappers And
Singers!
5

2. If you are a rapper or singer you
obviously know the importance of having
the proper tools and techniques to record
quality vocal signals.
Here are a few important tips for both the
novice and the professional on how to
ensure you get the right vocal quality on
that mic whether you are recording or
performing on stage.

3. Choose The Appropriate Mic For Your Performance
Choosing the appropriate microphone is
critical to achieving the best voice quality.
For stage performance most artists tend to
use the common handheld dynamic mics
such as the Shure SM-58.
It is however important to note that they
are rugged and though they produce
exceptional sound, they lack a certain level
of clarity and openness that can only be
achieved by condenser mics.
Therefore if you are looking to record
quality performance in a studio setup,
condenser mics should be your tool of
trade.

4. For serious recording, you would need large diaphragm condenser mics which are
costly however there are plenty of other reasonably priced condenser mics ($100)
for home recording and small studios.
Choose The Appropriate Mic For Your Performance
Dynamic mics make use of the design of a
magnet and moving-coil to capture the
waves of sound that hit the microphone’s
diaphragm
Condenser mics make use of a diaphragm
plate that is light-weight and charged hence
enabling them to have improved transient
responses which is ideal for capturing the
refined tones of the human voice

5. Maintain the appropriate distance from the mic
In case you are a rapper or singer who performs
on stage, you know that it is almost comes as an
instinct that you need to keep the mic closer to
your mouth.
Here is the thing, vocal mics are often
directional or cardioid in design, meaning that
they pick vocal signals more effectively from the
front rather than from the rear or sides.
Keeping that mic close to your mouth ensures
that your voice is strong and that any other
sounds around you are weaker. The inevitable
question then becomes, how close is close? The
problem with mics is that when they are used
close to the lips they produce a proximity effect
that boosts the bass response when the source
of the sound is too close to the mic’s diaphragm.

6. Maintain the appropriate distance from the mic
For studio recording purposes where you use
condenser mics rather than directional mics,
positioning your mouth 6-8 inches distance from
the mic helps reduce the proximity effect and
improve the ability of the mic to capture the
natural sound of the artist.
A very practical way of achieving the desired
minimum distance to the mic is by holding up your
hand and spreading your fingers as wide as you
can, with your pinky touching your mic and your
thumb touching your lips.
If you maintain this distance with the condenser
mic, any other sound in the room will be
minimized or eliminated resulting in quality voice
recording

7. Even though you manage to maintain the appropriate
distance from the mic, the problem of plosives may
come up.
Plosives are unpleasant thump sounds that you at times
hear from a mic, when an artist sings words with the
letter P, T or B.
This effect happens because of the “pop” effect produced
by the performer pronouncing these letters, the blast of
air waves causes the diaphragm to vibrate a bit faster as
if it had been suddenly tapped
Avoid Plosives

8. Avoid Plosives
It is important to note that all mics are susceptible
to this and some artist may be more prone to this
effect.
Vocal mics make use of a screen in front of the mic’s
diaphragm to try and mitigate the plosive effect but
it is usually not very effective.
For studio recording, you are advised to make use of
pop filters which are available at approximately $15.
They are placed between the mic and the artist
hence effectively reducing the pop effect.

9. Background noises tend to be picked up by
the mic, especially a powerful condenser mic.
It is therefore important to isolate yourself
from all forms of unwanted noise.
You can prefabricate a room to be your sound
booth though it can be very costly.
Alternatively, light-weight, commercially
available baffles (go-bos) can be arranged
around the artist, which have been known to
do an excellent job of isolating the performer
from unwanted noise.
Avoid unwanted background noise

10. In case you are not privileged to have a
sound booth and you are using a directional
mic, you can position the mic such that it
faces away from unwanted background
noises, hence achieving the effect of
muffling the noises.
Avoid unwanted background noise

11. It is important to monitor you sound
using proper headphones to ensure that
you stay on pitch.
The closed-ear design headphones (with
the ear cups fully surrounding the ears)
are usually better, since they allow no
sound to escape from the headphones.
Though open ear headphone designs are
more comfortable and lighter, they tend
to produce an irritating high-frequency
noise which leaks into the vocal
microphone, leading to problems later
on especially if you are recording.
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Use headphones for proper monitoring

12. I hope these tips will go a long way in
helping out any upcoming and
experienced rappers or singers out
there!
With the appropriate talent, tools and
techniques in today’s world, you can
produce good quality music in all
kinds of environments.
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Use headphones for proper monitoring