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Simple Tricks

to Improve
Your Recordings
ARE YOU FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE RECORDING TIPS
FOR A STUDIO QUALITY SOUND?
For a few quick recording tips to get started, this eBook lays out some simple
guidelines on improving your recordings.
From simple recording mistakes in the digital world to simple-to-use tips on finding
the sweet spot of an instrument, the following eBook covers the most important
subjects of audio recording.

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THE #1 MISTAKE WITH DIGITAL AUDIO RECORDING


Everybody wants to record audio like the great engineers of history. You might read
interviews and books about their warm sound and smoothly saturated tape. And
then you try to apply those same ideas to yourrecordings.

Big Mistake
Digital audio recording is a bit different than what you read about in the history
books about tape saturation and overloading your pre-amplifiers.
Today, digital audio is not so lenient towards overload. Digital clipping is one of the
worst sounds an audio engineer can hear. In the old days, engineers liked pushing
their levels to saturation to get that warm tape sound.
But now, the only thing you accomplish by pushing digital audio to the max is
horrible digital clipping.

No Clipping Please
Now, with digital audio recording we have to record at an optimum level without
distorting our preamps, causing that horrible clipping.
When you are getting levels into your DAW, make sure you are getting a good enough
level to record with before it clips. A nice rule of thumb is to record the loudest part
of the signal at around 3/4 before you reach 0dB. If your meter goes from green to
RED, then somewhere in the middle of the orange part should be a nice enough
level.
So when setting levels, make sure your audio is being recorded like in the area
shown in the picture.
Not too quiet so that your audio is too close to the noise-floor, but not so loud as
to cause clipping.

24 Bit Recording
Also, make sure you arerecordingat 24 bit since it will give you much more headroom
than recording at 16 bit.
With 24 bit recording the signal to noise ratio is much higher and you can effectively
record at lower levels without introducing too much noise into your signal.

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Conclusion
By setting your levels correctly you can avoid a few problems in the mixing phase.
You avoid that pesky digital clipping that ruins your audio completely, and by
recording at 24 bit you have enough volume and headroom to play around with
without the noise floor posing a problem to your recordings.
Keeping simple things like this in mind helps smooth out any kinks you might have
later. Get it great without digital clipping and your audio will be saved.

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21 RECORDING STUDIO TIPS FOR A SMOOTHER SESSION


There are many ways to screw up your recording session. Whether you are the
artist or the engineer there are certain practices you can adhere to when you are
recording. If you are working in a commercial studio or recording at your friends
home recording studio then try not to screw up your studio time in any of the
following ways.
1. Being late If you are the engineer show up early to make sure everything is
working properly. If youre the musician dont make the engineer wait around
for you.
2. Not changing the strings of your guitar Scummy strings cant be fixed in the
mix.
3. Not knowing your parts Its a waste of time and money to come unprepared.
4. Singing with a cold Reschedule your vocal session if you know you cant
perform.
5. Giving a lackluster performance Not everything can be fixed in the mix.
6. Being disrespectful It goes without saying, the engineer is your best friend.
So treat him well.
7. Recording for recordings sake Similar to not knowing your parts. If you
are just piling on parts without a clear direction, its still a waste of time and
money.
8. Recording a badly sounding drum-kit Replace the drum heads and tune
your drums. Itll be worth it.
9. Not having a plan Make sure you know what you are going to do during the
session.A good plan goes a long way.
10. Dont cram too much into one session Dont try to record drums, bass
and orchestra in the same three hour session. Recording takes time, so plan
accordingly.
11. Skipping the warm-up Singing first thing in the morning is hard isnt it? So is
nailing a 200 bpm solo without warming up your fingers.
12. Recording too hot Better be safe than sorry.Record at lower digital levelsto
avoid clipping.

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13. Not being in tune Im sorry. Its a pet peeve, but people are prone to forget
to tune their instruments.
14. Not having enough cables Say youre doing a location recording and you
didnt bring enough cables. Its not only a huge waste of time to go and get
what you forgot, but it also reflects poorly on you as a professional.
15. Not being familiar with how things work If you are working with a new
piece of equipment, or working at a new studio then its imperative you dont
look stupid when youre trying to figure out how things work.
16. Fix it in the mix?-If you know you can(and will) fix it in the mix, then use this
sentence. If you know you cant fix it, dont lie. Its one of the more common
lines in the audio industry.
17. Communicate Even though engineers and artists are a closely bred species
they do not share all the lingo thats inherent to them. If the engineer isnt a
musician then getting too musical will be confusing. Likewise with an engineer
getting to audio-engineer-y.
18. Dont do drugs I know whatBill Hicks said about drugs and music, but its
usually not a good idea to be stoned or drunk during a recording session.
19. Bring extras Extra strings, extra picks and extra drum sticks for instance.
Some things break and its better to be prepared when(not if) that happens.
20. Break the session into chunks Its better to record two energetic four
sessions than one long eight hour one where the last two hours people are
tired and uninspired.
21. Not being comfortable As an artist, much of your performance is based
on how you are feeling when you are recording. If you dont feel comfortable
then your playing will suffer.

Conclusion
Think about it, there are just as many things you need to NOT do in order to get that
great recording down on tape.
Just like its all about following the right guidelines for recording, engineering and
musicianship; there are also some pitfalls you need to avoid.

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THE SIMPLE TRUTH ABOUT A KILLER DRUM RECORDING


Its simple: a great sounding drum kit will sound better and need less mixing than
an out-of-tune, worn out drum kit.
Getting a great drum recording is so much easier if you devote the time to getting
the drum kit sounding its best.

Drums Need Tuning Too


I was recording drums recently atAllusion Studiosand we spent a long time making
sure each drum was tuned correctly.
We used adrum dialto get each drum sounding its best. Just like you would tune a
guitar or bass you should make sure each of your drums are tuned as well.

A few quick tips on drum tuning


Stretch the heads out. The heads will go out of tune fast if the heads arent
stretched out.
In order to choke the tom sound tune the bottom head a little higher than
the top head.
On the floor tom, tune the bottom head lower than the top head to get that
falling floor tom sound
Use the drum dial to get the drum sounding good all around, but use your
ears for the final fine-tune.

A Great Sound With a Great Instrument


Once we had thedrum soundingas good as possible we proceeded to mic things up.
To get a more natural drum recording we used large condensers on all of the toms.
The condensers were much more sensitive to everything around them but the bleed
actually created a very natural, earthy sound.
We were looking for an old-school but modern sounding drum sound so I think
with the condensers we added an extra element dynamic microphones wouldnt
have had.

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Conclusion
Finally, by taking the time to get the instrument sounding as good as possible, using
great microphones into pristine sounding pre-amps we were able to get a kick ass
drum recording.
It just makes you feel better that you have a great sound recorded; a drum sound
that doesnt need every mixing trick in the book to sound great because its already
80% there.

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TOP TEN METHODS FOR RECORDING ACOUSTIC GUITAR


Recording acoustic guitar requires a totally different method than recording the
electric guitar.
Since its an acoustic instrument as opposed to a plugged in electric one there
are a few different techniques that you need to keep in mind when tracking an
acoustic.
Read on for my top ten recording tips for an easier acoustic experience

1. Use a condenser microphone


Condenser microphonesare more suitable for recording acoustic guitar than the
dynamic microphone. The sensitivity of the condenser helps capture the sound of
the acoustic guitar as accurately as possible.

2. Avoid too much bass


Its a common misconception that the best sound from the acoustic guitar is captured
at the sound-hole. Normally, a microphone pointed at the sound-hole results in too
much bass.

3. Be aware of the sweet spot


The sweet spot is at the 12th fret, normally where the neck joins the body of the
acoustic guitar.
Recording acoustic guitar with a microphone pointed at the sweet spot usually
captures a good blend of highs, lows and mids.

4. Use New Strings


New strings are a must if you want to record a clear and brilliant acoustic guitar. No
amount of mixing is going to fix an acoustic guitar with old and worn strings.

5. Record Direct
If you are looking for an alternative sound and your acoustic guitar has a plug, it
might be a good idea to record direct.
Just plug your guitar into a DI box and use some of the great guitar recording
softwarethats available to spice up your acoustic guitar sound.

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6. First Fret Brilliance


In order to capture the delicate sound of the string a microphone placed at the first
fret can pick up the intricacies of the strings. This can bring a whole new dimension
to your acoustic guitar sound.
Check out theFirst Fret Trick When Recording Acoustic Guitarfor more information.

7. Record in Stereo
Recording acoustic guitar in stereo will capture a much fuller and wider sound than
only using one microphone.

8. Double-track with different mic techniques


If you are double tracking the same guitar part for added depth, try experimenting
with different microphone techniques.
Not only will it give your guitar parts added depth by double-tracking but the
difference in sound might create some interesting textures.

9. Use ribbons for a different sound


Ribbon microphones, if you have access to them, can give your acoustic guitar sound
a smoother and different sound than recording with a condenser.

10. Subtle position changes nail that perfect sound


The way recording works is that even the slightest microphone change can affect
the sound.
By just subtly changing the position or direction of the microphone you can find
that perfect acoustic guitar sound you are looking for.

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AN EASY WAY TO FIND THE SWEET SPOT


ON AN INSTRUMENT
Engineers spend a lot of time talking about the sweet spot whenrecording.
Gotta find the sweet spot or this is where the sweet spot is is often heard(or
some combination of the same meaning) and it can make the novice engineer
wonder what the hell they are talking about.
Luckily, finding the sweet spot on instruments isnt as hard as finding the other,
more elusive sweet spots. But what do people mean when they talk about the
sweet spot on an instrument?

Balance
The sweet spot on an instrument is where the complete sound of the particular
instrument is represented as well as possible. The area where the microphone picks
up both the highs, lows and everything in between.
You want to capture the fullness, brightness and whatever other-ness that particular
instrument has in abundance. So by finding that sweet spot you can make your job
easier since thats where the instrument shines.

One Microphone
When you are working with only one microphone its all the more important to find
the sweet spot. If you mike up an instrument and its lacking a certain character you
cant really fix that in the mixing phase.
By finding the sweet spot you can be certain that you have the best balance you can
get from one microphone.

Multiple Microphone Techniques


When you are working with multiple microphones you might not face the same
challenge in finding the sweet spot. You can devote more time to capturing a few
different characteristics of an instruments and then blending them together to get
a nice balance. Alternatively, you could use one microphone for the sweet spot and
another either for ambience or to accent a certain area of the instrument.
For example:Recording an acoustic guitar with one microphone at the sweet
spot by the 12th fret and the other by the 1st fret picking up the strings.

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How Does Balance Sound?


The acoustic guitar has a sweet spot at the 12th fret, or where the neck joins the body.
When you are looking for the sweet spot its a good idea to grab a pair of headphones,
set your microphone to record and then just strum away around the microphone
until you find the desired balance from your guitar.

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10 WAYS NOT TO RECORD YOUR AUDIO


Beginners make newbie mistakes, and it is up to those who know better to offer
them some solidaudio recording tips.
But to some experienced sound engineers its not always so apparent what is easy
to follow and what isnt.
Like a teacher that is so familiar with a subject he expects the students to see how
easy it is immediately.
Well, sometimes the most common mistakes are the simplest to overlook and the
ones engineers dont bother to tell you. They just expect you to know why thats
wrong and how to do it right.
So without further ado, here are a few recording tips on how to NOT to record your
audio.

1. Dont Record At 16 Bits


We have 24 bits now, and we want all the headroom we can get. Use 24 bit audio
and record at lower levels, that way you dont have to worry about putting your
recording into the red.

2. Dont Record In The Red


Back in the analog days people used to overload their pre-amps a little. Just to get
that sweet sound you know?
Well, there is nothing sweet about digital clipping. Dont record in the red when you
are recording digitally; digital clipping sounds horrible and you cant fix it.
Like I said, record at 24 bit and enjoy recording at lower levels.

3. Dont Record With Shoddy Cables


Cables matter. They might not matter as much as the microphone or type of pre-
amp, but they certainly have a say in the overall sound.
Dont use a shoddy the cheapest I can get from Radioshack type cable.

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4. Dont Record Your Guitar With Reverb


If its absolutely crucial to the sound and you know 100% that you wont want to
change it during mixdown then go ahead.
But if you are not sure if that specific reverb works, or if you dont think it will fit
with the arrangement then consider recording it dry.
If the guitarist cant play without it then add some to his headphones from your
software to compromise.

5. Use The Right Microphone


Dont use a cheap dynamic to record vocals and then wonder why the vocal track
sounds so bad.
Even though dynamic microphones might work for some vocals and styles chances
are you need a decent condenser instead.
Use the right microphone for the job, and if you have access to a few, try them out.

6. Position Yourself Correctly


Before I knew anything about recording I stood in the middle of my bedroom and
sang into a cheap dynamic microphone I held in my hand.
Not the most ideal situation for a great vocal performance, since not only was the
microphone wrong(and bad) but standing in the middle of the room AND holding the
microphone was a recipe for disaster. But I still wondered why my vocals sounded
so bad.
Well, now I know! Acoustic treatment and a great sounding room are a must, as
well as positioning the microphone correctly.

7. Waves of Phase
Are you recording with two microphones? Make sure they are not causing extreme
phase problems.
Phase cancelations weaken the audio signal and make your signal sound thin and
well.bad. If you did this mistake already most DAWs have an inverse setting
where you can flip one of the tracks 180.

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Try that to see if the signal gets stronger. If it does then you were having some
phase problems during recording and should probably try to get better at recording
with two microphones in the future.

8. Dont Record Tracks In A Hurry


Some artists work well under pressure. Most dont. Dont expect a singer to be able
to belt out all the vocal tracks to an album in 2 hours.
Dont plan for efficiency, it never works. Things will go wrong, people will show up
late and you wont be able to record everything you wanted. Get used to it and
dont record in a hurry.

9. Dont Record To The Highest Possible Sample Rate


Rather, record to the one you can handle. Higher sample rates mean more space
and the difference between 30 tracks at 48kHz or 30 tracks at 192 kHz is a whole lot
of hard disk space.
With many people recording to their laptops the highest sample rate and the most
ideal sample rate might not be the same.

10. Dont record bad instruments


If an instrument is faulty, out of tune or needs new strings or heads then replace
them before you record. Drums that have old heads sound worse.
Replace them and tune them before you track your drums. Old guitar strings, at
least to me, sound bad. Restring your guitars to get a more vibrant sound. Trust me,
it will shine through on the recordings.

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THINK! DO YOU WANT QUICK MICROPHONE


TECHNIQUES FOR A GREAT STEREO RECORDING?
Many instruments are in need of more than one microphone during recording.
Sometimes its just not possible for one microphone to capture the fullness, body,
attack and brilliance of an instrument.
By using a stereo pair you pick up the different characteristics of the instrument and
mix them together.
The X/Y stereo microphone technique is a popular recording technique. It is also
one of the simpler ones to use. It involves two cardioid microphones, normally
condensers, pointed in such a way as to capture the whole instrument.
You want the full tonal spectrum of an instrument in a proper stereo recording. The
X/Y technique is one of the fastest, most simple and easy to use in your bag of tricks.

How to Use?
This microphone technique involves two mono microphones to capture a stereo
image of (usually) one instrument. Many portable recorders have built-in X/Y
microphones that work really well if you want to capture an idea on the fly.
We must position the microphones correctly, or as close as possible to each other
so that they are facing each other in an angle of 90 to 110.
I recommend having the microphones as close to 90 as possible, but if you are
close-mikinga large instrument, you might need to open the angle a little more.
Any more than 120 and you risk losing the stereo image of the instrument by
neither microphone picking up the center.

Advantage of the X/Y Technique


Since its a stereorecording technique, panning both microphones to each
side will result in a wide stereo image.
Converting the recorded tracks to mono result in a fuller sound that you
wouldnt get with one microphone.
Since the microphones are so close to each other, there is almost no chance
of having phase issues.

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Some Tips for Using an X/Y Pair


Today, we record every single drum with at least one microphone if not more. When
the time comes to mix your drum-kit, many mixing engineers tell you they always
start from the overheads.
The overhead microphones are the ones that pick up every single thing the
drummer does. They are the most valuable microphones in the mix. So an X/Y
pair is a good choice for drum overheads. It automatically has the advantages
of being a great stereo technique and doesnt have problems with phase.
If you cant position an X/Y pair as overheads try using the technique for
capturing the room sound. Not only if you are recording drums, but also for
whatever you have that sounds good in a room.
X/Y can work well on acoustic guitar. Positioning them a foot(30cm) or so
from the 12th fret will pick up the whole instrument perfectly.
If you have a percussion player playing assorted percussion instruments such
as congas, bongos and such you can position a X/Y pair a few feet above the
instruments, capturing the group of instruments as a whole.

Stereo Sound Impressive Sound


Knowledge of afew stereo microphone techniquesis a good thing to have in your
utility belt.
Being able to whip out two condensers and get a wide stereo sound in minutes is
impressive to your clients.
Just follow the above guidelines for setting it up, and use some of the advice Ive
given and youre up and running in minutes spreading stereo all over the place.

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5 WAYS TO CONSISTENTLY RECORD GREAT AUDIO


Recordingcan be a stressful task if youve just started. There are so many techniques
and things to think about that it can quickly overload your brain before you even
press that REC button.
In order for you to quickly and consistently record great audio, all you have to do is
follow a few simple guidelines to success. Dont overload your brain, just keep it simple.

1. Have A Plan
Everybody stresses out more when theres no plan to follow. Its like when work
builds up. There are so many tasks that you dont know which one to start and you
end up doing none of them.
Make sure your recording session has a plan of action.
Whats being recorded?
How songs are you working on?
How much stuff do you need to bring if youre recording on location?
Whats the room like and what problems can you predict?

2. Make Sure Everybody Is Tuned Up


One time the intonation wasnt working right on my guitar. This caused a major
tuning issue when I was using a capo on the higher frets.
To avoid serious issues like that make sure everybody is tuned correctly, capo or
otherwise. And make sure everybody checks their instruments every few takes or
between songs.

3. Use Tried And Tested Techniques


There are a lot of different microphone techniques and recording methods out
there. If you are stressing yourself out because you dont know which method to
use just keep it simple.
Dont try complicated techniques like theGlyn Johns methodor aDecca Treewhen
you can keep to simple tricks like an X/Y technique.
Stick to things you know you can handle and make the most of it.

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4. Dont Overload Your Inputs


Youve got your plan in order and decided which technique to use. Then you better
not screw up a great pre-production by overloading your inputs andcausing digital
distortion.Make sure you dont overload the inputs of your interface.
If you record to 24 bit you can allow yourself to record a little quieter due to the
added headroom you gain with 24 bit recording.

5. Get a Great Performance


Lastly, make sure the performance youre recording is worth the hard disk space its
recorded on. If the performance is lackluster then all your preparation didnt do you
any good.
A sub-par sounding recording will sound better if the performance behind it is
amazing. But a great sounding recording with an out-of-tune vocalist will always
sound awful.

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THE WORLDS BEST VOCAL RECORDING MICROPHONES


YOU CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD!
When it comes down to it, its all about the vocal. And to get a great vocal sound,
you need a decent vocal microphone.
Great vocal mics are a necessary part of your studio, regardless of its size.
But the home studio might have a smaller budget than the big commercial facility.
And therefore, ahome studiodoesnt have the luxury to splurge on microphones
like their wealthier counterparts.
However, re-mortgaging your house isunnecessary with the following microphones.
A budget of around than $500 is easily enough money for some great vocal
microphones, and some of the options below cost even less.
Alternatively, if youre really strapped for cash you might be interested in these4
Cheap-Ass Condensers for the Frugal Engineer.

1.Rode NT2A Vocal Condenser


When you have a noisy home studio you want a quiet microphone. This one is
extremely quiet, has multiple patterns to choose from and a high-pass filter to cut
all that rumbling traffic noise.

2.Audio Technica AT2050


Like Ive said before, TheAT2020is an absolutely stellar budget microphone. The
2050 is more of the same great sound but with a few extra switches.

3.AKG Perception 420


The Perfection series include a plethora of great budget mics. The 420 is the most
expensive of their budget mics but it offers the most amount of features such as
multiple polar patterns.

4.Neumann TLM 102


This one is a bit pricier than theaforementioned$500, but you cant go wrong with
a Neumann condenser microphone.

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5.AKG C214
The little brother of the AKG C-414, the 214 is the perfect substitute for the home
recording studio. Buy a microphone but also pay rent. Thats the best of both worlds
in the home recording industry.

6.SE Electronics 2200A


The vocals tothis songwere recorded with the 2200A and they sound pretty good
to me. What do you think?

Conclusion
Dont get infected with a case of analysis paralysis. Choosing a microphone when
youre starting out can be overwhelming.
Its probably not the only microphone youre going to buy, so you dont need to
worry about buyers remorse.

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HOW TO GET THE BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE


FROM YOUR SINGER
Getting a great take from a singer often takes more than just choosing the right
microphone or preamp. In the end, it is the great vocal performance that will define
the song and its impact.
Engineers use a series of simple techniques to get a great recording, making the
singer most comfortable and using psychology on top of theirengineering knowledge
to craft the sound theyre looking for.

Whos In The Room?


The first and most important consideration is who will be present for the recording.
In general, singers are more comfortable with fewer people in the room, which can
be a departure from their bandmates who may like to record in large groups.
Other factors, including what the singer hears in their headphones and the vibe of
the room will greatly affect the performances energy level. It is your job to shape
this energy to fit the mood of the song for the perfect take.

Lights
Lowering the lights in the room or booth will generally quiet a vocalist and bring the
energy level down.
Some musicians prefer this lighting, as it is easier on the eyes. However, be aware
that for long sessions, a dark room might also make your singer tired.
Lamps give the singer ultimate control, especially if they can be pointed and/or
moved to enable music and lyric reading without making anyone uncomfortable.
They are also a solution for buzzing overhead fluorescent light fixtures. Singers do
not usually know what is best, or how the light is affecting them, so have it set when
they come in.

Headphone Mix
Creating a good mix for the singer to listen to while they track is crucial. Chordal
rhythm instruments are the most important thing to hear.

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Theyshould be panned center and be heard clearly of the rest of the rhythm. This
keeps singers in tune and on pitch throughout a take.
Other rhythm instruments are only necessary to give your singer a sense of what they
are used to hearing, for the balance of the band and to help them keep the form.
Other melody instruments can either act as a crutch for your singer or be a source
of confusion. Add them in selectively.
The overall headphone volume can have a similar effect on your singer to the lighting.
Loud headphones will make them sing louder over the music, which can add a
boost, but sometimes at the cost of a straining voice or reduced stamina.
Always check to see if your headphones are bleeding too much into the microphone.
If the volume is not loud enough, many vocalists will end up singing flat, under
what they hear.
Again, these are not conscious changes to the singer, and it is your job to make the
headphones just right for your singer.

First Timers
Singers going into the studio for the first time often have a hard time adjusting from
how they sing at live performances. The stage and the studio have a completely
different approach, and your singer may need time to adjust when he arrives.
Microphone technique should be discussed before you begin. Give tips on how
close they should be to the mic and where to aim their voice.
I have engineered few sessions where a singer complained of a delay effect in the
headphones.
This is often not a software issue, but a discomfort that the singer has with hearing
himself live in the headphones.
If he still has trouble after a few takes, try having him sing with only one earpiece. That
way hell hear himself in the room with the open ear alongside his headphone mix.

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Tips For A Smooth Vocal Performance


Just like every musician, singers usually need time to warm up before they are
recording their strongest performances in the studio.
Arranging a set list is usually a good idea. Start with the easiest tune, and once
you know the singer is warm, go after the hardest ones.
Songs with a wide range or complicated arrangement wont get their full attention
at the end of a long session.
Even if the singer knows all the words to a song, printing the lyrics for both the
performer and the engineer can be beneficial. It helps them keep their place while
tracking, and makes finding overdub spots go faster.
When starting on a new song, always always always track the first take! You can
scrap it later if nothing comes out, but singers often exhibit raw energy and emotion
that is lost as they go over the song multiple times.
Lastly, the most important thing you must do while engineering a session is to
respond to the singer. Listen for problems and strengths, make changes if things
arent working, and make sure they are comfortable throughout the session.

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