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

• http//homerecordinghome.com/a-guide-to-recording-
  great-vocals-for-podcasts-and-music/

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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, youll be making quality recordings
you can be proud of. Recording voices presents
some unique challenges that you wont find with
recording instruments. This guide will focus on
recording voices, a critical part of producing
music and Internet radio or podcasts.
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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
youll 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. 
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Exploring the Studio Space
A good microphone is sensitive to every sound
in the room. When youre 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.
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Show Time
Now its 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.
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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.
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After the Storm Post Production
Just because you have a golden performance
committed to tape doesnt mean youre done. The
quest for high quality vocals continues. There
are still steps that you can take to improve the
sound of your vocals.
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First, lets 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.
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The last step is to notch out some of the
frequencies in the middle.  This frequency is
different for every voice, so youll 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.
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Sally the Snakes Suspicious Sibilance
Ss 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 Ss. Then, every time an S
occurs, the plugin will reduce the strength of
that one syllable.
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Creating Space with Effects
Once youve 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. 
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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.
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A Guide to Recording Great Vocals for Podcasts
and Music FEATURED

• http//homerecordinghome.com/a-guide-to-recording-
  great-vocals-for-podcasts-and-music/