A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts and Music

1. A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts and Music [FEATURED] http://homerecordinghome.com/a-guide-to-recording-great-vocals-for-podcasts-and-music/

2. 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.

3. 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. 

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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. 

15. 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.

16. A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts and Music [FEATURED] http://homerecordinghome.com/a-guide-to-recording-great-vocals-for-podcasts-and-music/