best settings to record vocals?

smiley20 · Mar 6, 2006, 04:51 AM

whats your secrets ? =)
pleaes help this newbie

miguel · Mar 6, 2006, 03:05 PM

Unless you are singing very softly "intimate" parts you should sing at some distance from the mic. Maybe 20-30cm (10 inches). I see so many singers (mostly live) that seemed to be having some kind of sexual affair with the microphone. Maybe it inspires them but they sound so much worse.

You may find that unless you sing very close to the mic you have to raise the preamp gain too much to get a good level and it gets too noisy. Then you'd better replace the mic because it's not good enough (for singing at least). Could be the preamp too but it's less probable.

Maddogg6 · Mar 6, 2006, 03:36 PM

You won't beleive how big of a difference this will make compared to using a dynamic mic I find so many 'in-home' recording engineers using....

Large Diaphram Condensor Mic -> Mic Pre-amp w/ Phantom power -> Compressor/Limiter -> sound card line input.

The Compressor limiter - should be set up as a limiter to avoid overdriving the sound cards A/D convertors -

Use good quality 'cans' heaphones for performers monitor - something thats accoustically isolated or 'CLOSED' - NOT OPEN AIR type - these will leach too much sound into the sensitive microphones.

And of course - a good voice never hurts...

Mar 6, 2006, 04:51 AM	#1
smiley20 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	best settings to record vocals? whats your secrets ? =) pleaes help this newbie

Mar 6, 2006, 03:05 PM	#2
miguel DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 209 Rep Power: 0	Unless you are singing very softly "intimate" parts you should sing at some distance from the mic. Maybe 20-30cm (10 inches). I see so many singers (mostly live) that seemed to be having some kind of sexual affair with the microphone. Maybe it inspires them but they sound so much worse. You may find that unless you sing very close to the mic you have to raise the preamp gain too much to get a good level and it gets too noisy. Then you'd better replace the mic because it's not good enough (for singing at least). Could be the preamp too but it's less probable.

Mar 6, 2006, 03:36 PM	#3
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	You won't beleive how big of a difference this will make compared to using a dynamic mic I find so many 'in-home' recording engineers using.... Large Diaphram Condensor Mic -> Mic Pre-amp w/ Phantom power -> Compressor/Limiter -> sound card line input. The Compressor limiter - should be set up as a limiter to avoid overdriving the sound cards A/D convertors - Use good quality 'cans' heaphones for performers monitor - something thats accoustically isolated or 'CLOSED' - NOT OPEN AIR type - these will leach too much sound into the sensitive microphones. And of course - a good voice never hurts...