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The quality of the vocals is probably one of the most important factors for a song to attract positive attention and get noticed. When recording in a studio, there are certain things you can do to ensure high quality vocals. The human voice is a natural sound and we are generally used to hearing vocals on a recording and spotting imperfections with vocals is more apparent than with instrumental parts. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you nail that perfect vocal take! 1. Get Comfy A singer who feels comfortable and calm is going to deliver a much better performance than someone who is nervous. Rehearsing before recording is the best way to raise confidence. There should be little to no distractions in the recording studio because these can seriously affect the quality of the outcome. If you are about to sing and you feel worried about something, discuss the issue and fix it instead of trying to ignore the situation and soldiering on. 2. Quality Matters There are many different kinds of microphones available in the market. The quality of vocals is very much dependent on the type of microphone being used in the recording studio. Microphones that are intended for home usage or for small stereo systems may be totally unsuitable for professional recording. Capacitor or condenser microphones are most commonly used in studios for recording vocals, they are more sensitive than dynamic microphones that would normally be used for a live vocal performance. Most recording studios will have top-quality condenser microphones and though simpler and less expensive brands might perform just fine, it is always worth checking with the studio where you are doing your recording which microphones they have available before your session. 3. It’s all about Technique Microphone technique is an important factor and the manner in which the microphone is “attacked” will also determine the quality of the results. For a start, learn to put the microphone at a correct distance. Being too close to the microphone will increase the risk of popping and cracking sounds. Being too far away from the microphone, apart from diminishing the volume, may also cause the sound to reflect or bounce from the walls of the studio, thus diminishing the quality of the vocal. Singers should also learn to pull back when hitting loud or high notes. This could help to make the quality of the vocals even, from start to finish. Finally, the microphone should be mounted on a stand whenever possible. Holding the microphone while performing can significantly affect the quality of the sound and pick up residual and unwanted noises. 4. Pop it A pop shield is a useful piece of equipment when recording vocals in a studio. It is normally mounted on the microphone stand and will cover the front of the microphone and when mounted correctly it will help eliminate pops and other sounds caused by singing into the microphone. Such pops are difficult to fix during the editing and mixing of the song so it is always best to use a pop shield on your microphone to avoid this. 5. Practice, Perform, Repeat Very few singers are capable of delivering stellar performances on the first take and after listening to your first vocal take you might find there are some imperfections. There is no need to settle for something that sounds mediocre. Repeat until you feel confident and happy with the outcome. Striving for perfection is a good thing, as long as you know where to draw the line. Both the equipment and the technique of the performer are important for the quality of the vocals. Working with a good recording studio engineer will be a bonus in achieving a successful final result. Research, rehearse and be as well prepared as you possibly can before getting into the recording studio and you should do just fine. Author: Eva Brandt is a trained sound engineer with experience in both studio and live recording. She is a panel member of Rock School and has over 20 years’ experience as a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer. She is currently the co-owner and manager of Hampstead Music & Voice Studio in North London. For more information please visit: www.hmvs.co.uk Call: 020 7692 5869 or 07984 980 626
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