By 4dahaterz
Thu Jul 14, 2005 2:37 pm
this was sent to me from ZZounds.com, just thought i would post for those who wanted some of the basics of vocal recording, especially for singers...enjoy
===========================================================
VOCAL MICS: Secret Recording Microphone Techniques Revealed.
===========================================================
-------------------------------------------------------
SECRET #1: Choose the Right Mic
-------------------------------------------------------
Every voice has its own character, its owns tone, its own
body-- and so does every microphone. In an ideal world,
we'd all have a deep mic cabinet to dig through to find
the perfect mic for the voice we're recording. In
reality, many of us only own one or two microphones to
choose from...
The first thing to consider on your quest for the perfect
vocal recording is the microphone. So what should we look
for? After you've decided your budget, its best to
consider two things: versatility and neutrality.
-------------------------------------------------------
A. Versatility
-------------------------------------------------------
Many large diaphragm condenser microphones are designed to
work well in multiple applications. If you choose a large
diaphragm mic, chances are you can use it on more than
just voice, but guitars, pianos, strings, drum overheads,
and more. Additionally, such a mic should work well with
a wide range of voices.
-------------------------------------------------------
B. Neutrality
-------------------------------------------------------
Choosing a neutral mic is important as well. Many high
end microphones will add an authentic character to your
vocal recording. However, a budget mic with a neutral
sound will give you more flexibility in the mix. Besides,
with a neutral mic, you can always sculpt your own
character to the vocals with eq and compression... While
no budget mic could replace a Neumann, you can still
achieve stunning results with a good performance and a
touch of creativity.
-------------------------------------------------------
SECRET #2: Pop filter, no pop filter
-------------------------------------------------------
Human speech and song produces natural "plosives", or the
"puh" sounds that come from speaking the letter P. The
best way of keeping plosives out of your recordings is
stopping them before they get to the microphone: with a
pop filter. Not only does a pop filter protect your
microphone from harsh volume levels, but it keeps your
recordings pop free.
Aside from using a pop filter, there are two uncommon ways
of reducing plosive pops in your recordings. First, you
can place a pencil between your mic and the vocalist,
right in the sweet spot. This will split the windy "puh"
sound and catch the rest of the voice. It may not be
perfect, but can be a work-around if you find yourself
without a pop filter...
Second, you can aim the pickup of your vocal mic sharply
downward, on an angle, toward the vocalists mouth. Any
plosives will blow right under the mic pickup, while the
rest of the voice will be captured in the microphone's
sweet spot. This trick also works on limiting a nasal
sound in a voice. Singer have a cold? Try this!
-------------------------------------------------------
SECRET #3: Compression
-------------------------------------------------------
The human voice is wildly dynamic. A whisper can turn
into a scream, and a soft vocal passage can grow in
intensity to a loud reprise. How can we expect a
microphone, or even your recorder, to compensate these
changes in volume? We can't. We can, however, use a
compressor to get a leash on your vocal recordings.
Using a compressor, you can squeeze how loud you allow
your vocal to get. Using four different tools, threshold,
ratio, attack, and release, you can attenuate your signal
into shape. With softer vocals, set the ratio between 4:1
and 6:, then pull back on the threshold until you're
hearing a difference. Then boost the volume of the signal
to the level you desire. With hotter vocals, try a ratio
of between 8:1 and 10:1. The turnout: when your vocalist
is quiet, the volume remains the same. When your vocalist
is loud, the volume remains the same. Thanksfully, the
listener will perceive the softness and loudness, but will
not struggle to hear the soft parts and cover their ears
at the loud spots.
===========================================================
VOCAL MICS: Secret Recording Microphone Techniques Revealed.
===========================================================
-------------------------------------------------------
SECRET #1: Choose the Right Mic
-------------------------------------------------------
Every voice has its own character, its owns tone, its own
body-- and so does every microphone. In an ideal world,
we'd all have a deep mic cabinet to dig through to find
the perfect mic for the voice we're recording. In
reality, many of us only own one or two microphones to
choose from...
The first thing to consider on your quest for the perfect
vocal recording is the microphone. So what should we look
for? After you've decided your budget, its best to
consider two things: versatility and neutrality.
-------------------------------------------------------
A. Versatility
-------------------------------------------------------
Many large diaphragm condenser microphones are designed to
work well in multiple applications. If you choose a large
diaphragm mic, chances are you can use it on more than
just voice, but guitars, pianos, strings, drum overheads,
and more. Additionally, such a mic should work well with
a wide range of voices.
-------------------------------------------------------
B. Neutrality
-------------------------------------------------------
Choosing a neutral mic is important as well. Many high
end microphones will add an authentic character to your
vocal recording. However, a budget mic with a neutral
sound will give you more flexibility in the mix. Besides,
with a neutral mic, you can always sculpt your own
character to the vocals with eq and compression... While
no budget mic could replace a Neumann, you can still
achieve stunning results with a good performance and a
touch of creativity.
-------------------------------------------------------
SECRET #2: Pop filter, no pop filter
-------------------------------------------------------
Human speech and song produces natural "plosives", or the
"puh" sounds that come from speaking the letter P. The
best way of keeping plosives out of your recordings is
stopping them before they get to the microphone: with a
pop filter. Not only does a pop filter protect your
microphone from harsh volume levels, but it keeps your
recordings pop free.
Aside from using a pop filter, there are two uncommon ways
of reducing plosive pops in your recordings. First, you
can place a pencil between your mic and the vocalist,
right in the sweet spot. This will split the windy "puh"
sound and catch the rest of the voice. It may not be
perfect, but can be a work-around if you find yourself
without a pop filter...
Second, you can aim the pickup of your vocal mic sharply
downward, on an angle, toward the vocalists mouth. Any
plosives will blow right under the mic pickup, while the
rest of the voice will be captured in the microphone's
sweet spot. This trick also works on limiting a nasal
sound in a voice. Singer have a cold? Try this!
-------------------------------------------------------
SECRET #3: Compression
-------------------------------------------------------
The human voice is wildly dynamic. A whisper can turn
into a scream, and a soft vocal passage can grow in
intensity to a loud reprise. How can we expect a
microphone, or even your recorder, to compensate these
changes in volume? We can't. We can, however, use a
compressor to get a leash on your vocal recordings.
Using a compressor, you can squeeze how loud you allow
your vocal to get. Using four different tools, threshold,
ratio, attack, and release, you can attenuate your signal
into shape. With softer vocals, set the ratio between 4:1
and 6:, then pull back on the threshold until you're
hearing a difference. Then boost the volume of the signal
to the level you desire. With hotter vocals, try a ratio
of between 8:1 and 10:1. The turnout: when your vocalist
is quiet, the volume remains the same. When your vocalist
is loud, the volume remains the same. Thanksfully, the
listener will perceive the softness and loudness, but will
not struggle to hear the soft parts and cover their ears
at the loud spots.
