More Tips for Recording Vocals

Sound and Recording
B. Thomas Cooper
Editor

When it comes to recording vocals, misconceptions abound. So many wonderful singers, so little dependable information. We are all instantly capable of recognizing a strong vocal performance, but what goes into capturing that performance usually isn't so obvious.

It all starts with a good singer and a good song. From there, choose a reliable microphone. Many engineers prefer using large diaphragm condenser microphones, but I have no preference. After thirty years of intensive studio experience I have learned to rely on the vocalist, not the microphone. While working as a staff producer at the world famous Power Station Studios, I had at my disposal, nearly every mic imaginable. One quickly learns that not every vocal should be captured with an expensive ribbon mic. Think hard about what it is you're trying to accomplish. Feel free to experiment.



Remember, good microphone technique and proper singing habits will profoundly effect your vocal performance. A mic can only capture what you produce. Once the performance has been captured, it can be enhanced through various means, including reverb, compression, etc. but all the reverb in the world will not drown out a bad performance.

Singers tend to be a finicky lot, a fact I can personally attest to. Still, no two vocalists are alike. Do whatever it takes to make the singer comfortable and confident. A good headphone mix is crucial. If you can't hear what your doing, you stand little chance of doing it well. I can honestly say the Power Station had the best headphone systems I have ever experienced. It is little wonder to me why the studio produced so many hit records.

From here, things get somewhat slippery. A producer like Terry Date will not approach a vocal for the Deftones in the same manner Jim Steinman might approach a Meat Loaf recording. Even at the highest levels of the industry, approach can be radically different.

Unless all indications suggest to the contrary, go with the flow. In other words, don't rock the boat. Learn all you can about recording, and keep an open mind. A vocal track can make or break an otherwise average recording. It is our goal to recognize the difference.

Learning to Avoid Damage to Your Voice

Sound and Recording
B. Thomas Cooper
Editor

The human voice is a unique and complex musical instrument. It is my principle instrument, and one I have spent years learning to master. Although I play many instruments, it was always my voice people wanted hear. Try as I might to establish myself as a respectable instrumentalist, there was always someone with better guitar chops, but a strong vocalist was and remains a rare commodity.

I love to sing. I cannot calculate how many hours I have spent singing. I sing on stage, I sing in the studio, rehearsal and yes, sometimes I sing in the shower. (try that with your electric guitar). It seems obvious then that I would want to learn everything available about my instrument and my craft, don't you agree?

Sadly, many young singers overlook the value of learning more about themselves. Many singers, especially those in the rock or punk genres, fear such information will somehow taint the authenticity of their art form. Oh contraire, ye of bruised larynx. In the event your new snare drum should take a nasty fall down a flight of stairs, it can usually be replaced with little difficulty. Your voice, on the other hand, cannot be replaced so easily.
Damage your throat and you risk your dream.

Don't think I'm not aware of the nerd quotient. I realize how ridiculous those ads look, the ones touting vocal technique. I get queasy every time I see one. Here's my advise get over it.

Mozart took piano lessons and Michelangelo took drawing lessons. There are no good reasons why a singer shouldn't seek out professional vocal training. I can't stress how important this is to anyone considering a career as a singer.

Sound and Recording - Achieving a Brighter Vocal

Sound and Recording
B. Thomas Cooper
Editor

Let me guess,
Your lead singer doesn't seem bright enough. Chances are, he isn't.

Don't be too hard on him. It may be no fault of his own. Try as he might, his vocals simply won't cut through the dense fog rolling from the rhythm section. It's a common problem, and one I'll attempt to address, although I'll readily admit a little trepidation.

Much is dependent on the sound pressure levels in respect to the timber and projection abilities of the vocalist. Obviously, a live performance presents a considerably different set of variables than that of a studio recording. The two are as different as they are the same.

A brighter' vocal sound can be achieved a number of ways. Start by choosing an appropriate microphone. Unfortunately, what may seem the right mic tonight may not seem right tomorrow. When changes occur, even subtle ones, it often becomes necessary to switch microphones. An aware engineer may even determine to swap microphones from one song to the next.

Good microphone technique and proper singing habits will profoundly effect your vocal performance. A mic can only capture what you produce. Once the performance has been captured, it can be enhanced through various means, including reverbs, compression, etc. but all the reverb in the world will not drown out a bad performance.

A bright' vocal will tend to cut through the mix, like a megaphone, or the p.a. system at the racetrack. However, it is worth noting that a bright' vocal risks becoming strident, or worse a shrill distraction, plagued by incessant feedback. Sound familiar?

The cure requires patience and practice. Learn all you can about your craft,
and don't assume you know all the answers. Just keep plugging away, and before you know it, you'll be performing to sold out crowds of adoring fans, at which point you may conclude your vocalist seems a little brighter than usual.