A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts and Music

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IntroductionNowadays, 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 FiltersWhen 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 WizardryIf 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 [FEATURED]

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