Microphone Technique and Room Management [Recording Vocals Pt 3]

1
Microphone Technique and Room Management
Recording Vocals Pt 3

• http//homerecordinghome.com/microphone-technique-
  and-room-management/

2
Filming Sound The Art of the Microphone
The quality of the visuals is more important than
the camera. The framing of the shot can transform
a scene. The microphone, like the camera,
captures what is set before it. Learn to use your
microphone like a camera, capturing the details
of the story to maximize its impact.
3
Shooting On Location
That setting is the place that you record in.
Unfortunately, microphone is only as good as the
room youre recording in and the way you record
with it. So, we have to be adaptable.
Image Bill Selak via Compfight
4
Vocal Valhalla
Vocal Valhalla method (my terminology) is a
workaround for producers with limited space. You
need to set aside a corner of your studio for
recording vocals. It neednt be huge and the
setup is simple.
5
First, get some soundproofing. Real
soundproofing. Then place this soundproofing at a
45 degree angle in the corner. The microphone
then placed up to 6 feet away from the panel, and
pointed directly at it, with the singer in
betwixt the two. Theres one more piece of gear
I recommend for this operation. A reflection
filter mounts onto your microphone stand and
stops room reflections from reaching your mic
from the sides, or behind.
Image Aaron via Flicker
6
Plosive Expert
Plosives are the syllables, Ps Bs and Ts, that
are louder and more distorted in recordings than
other syllables. Theyre the result of the human
voice, which projects air to make these sounds.
As you would expect, this causes a pressure spike
when the air hits the microphone diaphragm. And
it sounds terrible.
7
Framing the Shot
Good microphone technique for most vocal tracks
is no rocket science. Keep the singer somewhere
around a foot away from the microphone. Youre
going to find that the exact distance varies from
singer to singer and with different microphones.
Take some time to adjust the input signal level
with your interface and some precautions against
sibilance.
8
Mic Test
Before you press record, experiment. Start
experimenting with using various mic positions to
affect the tone of the song. More aptly, listen
to the quality of the mic position. Play around
with minor variations until you get the best
sound.
9
Microphone Technique and Room Management
Recording Vocals Pt 3

• http//homerecordinghome.com/microphone-technique-
  and-room-management/